If you are after a traditional garden close to Kyoto Station that is stunning throughout the year, Shōseien (渉成園) is a top choice. The garden is a renowned spot with flowers blooming in spring and summer. Many also visit the garden in late November, when it is decorated by autumn foliage.
Table of Contents
- About Shōseien Garden
- The Highlights in Shōseien Garden
- Shōseien Garden’s Four Seasons
- Shōseien’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
About Shōseien Garden
Shōseien Garden is Higashi Honganji Temple’s garden, designated as one of Japan’s National Places of Scenery Beauty in 1936. The garden’s name came from a passage (園日渉而成趣) of a poem (帰去来辞) made by a Chinese poet, Tao Yuanming (陶淵明). The poem is about his life in his hometown in the countryside after resigning from his government post.
The 22.4-hectare land was gifted to the temple as its villa in 1641 by Tokugawa Iemitsu (徳川家光), Tokugawa shogunate’s third Shōgun. Originally, it was used as the retirement resident of Sennyo Shōnin (宣如上人), who was Honganji’s 13th chief monk. Because trifoliate oranges were planted as the resident’s hedge, the garden was nicknamed Kikokutei (枳殻邸).
The resident’s water strolling garden was completed in 1657. Its design was completed in 1653 by Ishikawa Jōzan (石川丈山), Tokugawa Ieyasu’s vassal. Because the residence suffered from multiple fire hazards in the past, the current house in Shōseien was restored in 1864.
The Highlights in Shōseien Garden
The garden has the Ingetsu Pond (印月池) in the middle. Many flowers are planted in the garden, making it scenic throughout the year.
The Shinsetsu Bridge (侵雪橋) crossing the Ingetsu Pond appears in many photos of Shōseien. The view of the bridge with the Kyoto Tower as the backdrop summarizes Kyoto’s cityscape precisely. It is a city where historical and modern buildings coexist.
The tea house across the bridge is called Shukuentei (縮遠亭) because the view from the tea house is like the microcosm of the distant view of Mt. Amidagawa (阿弥陀ヶ峰).
Where Shōseien is located was the residence of a noble called Minamoto no Tooru (源融) in the Heian period. He was the son of Emperor Saga (嵯峨天皇). So, a few items in the garden relate to him. The water basin in front of Shukuentei is a good example. Apparently, Tooru designed his garden based on the scenery of Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture (奥州塩釜). Sea water carried from Amagasaki (尼崎) was used to fill the pond. So, the water basin was named Shiogawa no Chōzubachi (塩釜の手水鉢).
The stone pagoda in Ingetsu Pond behind Shiogawa no Chōzubachi is said to be Tooru’s memorial tower.
Onrindō (園林堂) is a worship hall in Shōseien. It is rarely open to the public. But if you are lukcy, you can see the artwork and cultural properties stored here.
Shōseien Garden’s Four Seasons
Shōseien is known as one of Kyoto’s plum blossom spots. Red and white plums can be found at the garden’s north entrance. The plum grove south of Onrindō has around 20 plums planted. The plum blossom season at Shōseien is usually from early February to early March.
Bōkakaku (傍花閣) is a representative of architecture in Shōseien. Many cherry blossoms surround the uniquely shaped building. Thus, you will see the scenery that lives up to its name in late March.
In summer, the irises and waterlilies in the pond will make the garden view more gorgeous.
Shōseien’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Shōseien is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- From November to February, the garden closes at 4 pm.
- The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
- The admission fee is
- 700 yen for adults
- 300 yen for high school students
- Shōseien is a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station’s central exit (中央口).
- You can also get off at Kyoto Subway’s Gojō Station (五条駅) and walk for 7 minutes.
- If you plan to take a bus, get off at Karasuma Nanajo (烏丸七条).
Discover Other Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Regardless the overtourism problem, Kyoto is undoubtably Japan’s most popular tourist destination. If you plan to visit Kyoto in early spring, there are several spots for you to add to your itinerary to enjoy the seasonal flower, plum blossoms! While the view created by the plum flowers may be less awe-inspiring than the cherry blossoms due to the volumes, the elegant fragrance will make your visit more pleasant.
For more information, refer to our article on The Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto!
