Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace

A Sento Imperial Palace (Sento Gosho) is the residence of a retired emperor. The Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace is located in the southeastern part of the Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyoto Gyoen) in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. The term “sento” originally refers to a hermit’s dwelling; in Chinese tradition, hermits were seen as an ideal human figure, and the name “Sento Gosho” is used as an honorific expression for a retired emperor’s residence. Access is about a 15-minute walk from Marutamachi Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway) or about a 20-minute walk from Jingu-Marutamachi Station (Keihan Railway). Kyoto Sento Gosho was constructed in 1627 (Kan’ei 4) for Retired Emperor Gomizunoo, and its formal name is “Sakuramachi-den.” The palace buildings themselves were destroyed in a fire in 1854 (Ansei 1), so today only features such as tea houses and the garden remain. The garden was originally designed by Kobori Enshu and later remodeled according to Retired Emperor Gomizunoo’s preferences. It is known for seasonal beauty—cherry blossoms and azaleas, a lovely wisteria trellis, and vivid autumn foliage. Historically, the site is also said to have once been the location of residences associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the poet Ki no Tsurayuki.