Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura Imperial Villa is an Imperial household facility located by the Katsura River in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto. It originally served as a villa of the Hachijo-no-miya family, and it began when Prince Toshihito, the first head of the family, built teahouses in Katsura, a place known for moon viewing. After the prince’s death it fell into disrepair, but in the next generation it was developed into the form seen today, supported in part by the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1883 (Meiji 16), the Hachijo-no-miya line ended, and the property came under the management of the Imperial Household Agency and became known as Katsura Imperial Villa. The grounds cover 69,000 square meters and include a garden pond fed by the Katsura River, with shoin buildings and teahouses arranged in a strolling garden—an integrated masterpiece of architecture and landscape design admired both in Japan and abroad for its exceptional artistry. Often described as the pinnacle of imperial villa architecture and the culmination of Japanese garden aesthetics, it was praised by Bruno Taut, who visited in 1933, as "great art that brings tears to one’s eyes." Advance reservation is required, and applications are accepted from the 1st day of the month three months prior to the desired visit date via the Imperial Household Agency tour application website or by return postcard. It is located about a 20-minute walk from Hankyu Katsura Station near the Katsura River, and following the river upstream leads to Arashiyama.