Kyoto · Central Kyoto · Japan

Seiryu-en Garden

imperial gardenhistoricguided tourgoogle verified

easy

9/10

best: morning

refined, exclusive, historic, serene

A local would say...

One of Japan's greatest garden designers created this — and you need a formal application just to enter.

The magnificent gardens of the former Sentō Imperial Palace, laid out in 1630 by the renowned landscape designer Kobori Enshū. Originally built as a residence for retired emperors and repeatedly destroyed by fire, today only the two teahouses Seika-tei and Yūshin-tei remain alongside the exquisite garden. Visits require advance permission from the Imperial Household Agency.