The Katsura Imperial Villa is one of Kyoto’s most beautiful sights, yet missed by nearly everyone. Here is the jewel they never see.
Katsura Imperial Villa (or Katsura Rikyu, 桂離宮) goes back to the early 17th century and was a villa of Prince Toshihito. It was expanded by his son after his death. Katsura Rikyu has what is considered the finest achievements of Japanese architecture, as well as one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens in the entire country.
Katsura Rikyu is about 1 km or a 12 minute walk from Katsura Stn. It can only be viewed in a tour given by the Imperial Household Agency, and advance reservations are recommended. Given the flood of tourists in Kyoto now, there is a ¥1000 charge for seeing the Katsura Imperial Villa. There are tours given both in Japanese and English.
Reservations can be made at the Imperial Household website:
For more great places to see in Kyoto, please watch the Kyoto Playlist:
AloJapan.com