Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
The buildings of the Katsura Imperial Villa are primarily designed in the *shoin-zukuri* style and are said to be integrated with the garden through features such as moon-viewing platforms facing the pond.
Additionally, *sukiya-zukuri* style tea houses are scattered throughout the grounds; these are believed to have been used for activities such as boating excursions, tea gatherings, and moon-viewing parties.
Location
Osawa Pond is part of Sagain—an imperial detached palace built by Emperor Saga in the early Heian period—and is renowned as a scenic spot, featuring seasonal flowers and trees planted around the pond and on the island within it.
Location
Nagoso Waterfall: When Emperor Saga established Daikaku-ji Temple, an artificial waterfall was constructed—utilizing a change in elevation—along the watercourse feeding into Osawa Pond, which had been created as part of the temple’s garden. However, the flow of water eventually ceased, and the waterfall is said to have dried up by the mid-Heian period.
Fujiwara no Kintō composed a famous poem upon seeing this waterfall that had run dry; that poem has been preserved in the *Hyakunin Isshu* anthology.
Location
This is a Jodo-sect temple located in Kurodani, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, affectionately known as “Kurodani-san.”
It is a quiet temple renowned for its stunning cherry blossoms in the spring and beautiful autumn foliage.
Location
Located to the east of Daikaku-ji Temple, it is considered the oldest artificial lake in Japan.
It is a tranquil spot where one can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, with Arashiyama serving as a borrowed backdrop.
Location