Katsura Imperial Villa

Sheila Tan 4 weeks ago

Beautiful grounds and garden - even in winter. The guided tour was at friendly pace. Had palace security following us everywhere though! Ideal if you want a bit of culture away from all the crowds in Kyoto. You need to book ahead online.

M 2 months ago

What a beautiful and luxurious garden ! I would love every garden lover to visit the villa. It’s beyond the description. I could learn why the event of moon viewing was such important from ancient period . There is a tiny gift shop at waiting room. Cash payment only. No wifi available . The way to application looks a little bit complicated but worth it.

ESB NYC 4 months ago

Stunningly beautiful and well preserved historic buildings and gardens. You must reserve your tour online in advance to guarantee entry. If you don’t speak Japanese then you should reserve one of the tours led by an English speaking guide. They control you tightly during the tour and security follows the tour to make sure there are no stragglers. You have to pay 1,000¥ when you get to reception. Bring your passport. They’re rather intense with the procedures. Stunning photo opportunities but they keep you moving, a shame. My advice, be ready for the photo opportunities, they abound. Don’t let them rush you.

Ashley 5 months ago

The villa is absolutely stunning. You need to book a guided tour in advance (tickets are available at the gate, but the English tours seem to sell out fast), which comes to about 1000yen per adult, but well worth it. I visited towards the end of summer, but I think mid fall/Autumn would be the ideal time to visit and see the gardens in their full glory.

Pirithivi Yogeswaran 6 months ago

Although you must book tickets in advance through the website, and you have a chance of not getting a draw if the season is busy, you may still have a chance to walk in and join the hourly guided tour. There is no option to roam the grounds freely, but the tour is well worth the 1000¥ price tag. A sense of serenity and enlightenment will wash over you as you learn why and how each piece of the villa was put together. The tour is about an hour long, so plan accordingly. Like pieces of the puzzle, the Hachijo-no-Miya family chose each curve of the path and each view of the garden with precision, to provide their guests with not only a tea ceremony, but an enlightened view of the harvest moon. I was initially late to my tour, but the kind ladies of the villa allowed me to join the next one without issue! Overall, it was a pleasant visit.