The villa is perched on the side of a hill, giving a grand view of both the hills behind and the city below. The gardens are to die for in the fall. Spectacular. As with Katsura, the guides moved you along too fast to linger and take time to take photographs, but otherwise completely enjoyable.

After a long time of debating whether to go to this villa, which is somehow considered less famous than Katsura I went. Its superb. the garden itself, the view of the city, the fact that its located in a regular neighborhood and you wouldnt expect it there. I would say that its worth a visit for those who have a... More

I lived in Japan over 40 years ago and was given a photo book on Shugakuin as a leaving present. I and my, Japanese, wife had never been to see it and so made the effort to attend the Imperial Household Agency Office (by the Imperial Palace) whilst on holiday, with passports in hand to get the necessary free permission.... More

This imperial villa offers its best on the upper of the three levels. Scenic beauty at its best. Buildings are less impressive. Still, the better choice is the imperial villa at Katsura as a unique integration and perfection of gardens and buidlings.

I definitely recommend visiting it in the autumn. The colors of the leaves are fantastic. The best view is from the highest point and the walk around the lake is very nice. The only problem is that you enter with a group and a guide and there is a guard walking after you so you can't stay at a place... More

We walked up to see the Imperial Palace. Tough to get in (need passport per the travel book) and the gardens were just okay. A bit unkept relative to other sights. Thought the Emperor would be first on the gardener's list, but not so. We looked at the impressive and impregnable walls and went on to next location.

Of enormous size, three separate levels culminate at the top with lovely vistas of carefully trained trees and shrubs. Easy to get entry, but must go to Imperial Household Agency. Forget about internet reservations.

This is a site well worth visiting. It involves a change of trains and a short walk, but is not to be missed in autumn when the trees change colour. Beautifully landscaped grounds show a variety of trees in superb settings. The grounds include many different settings, from rice fields to immaculate gardens, lake and stream.

In the politically charged early 17th Century, as the Shogunate rose and the Emperor faded in power, the then Emperor Gomizuno bowed to the inevitable, abdicated the throne, installed a very young daughter as token Empress, and spent the next fifty years in 'artistic' pursuits. Among these were the design and construction of a very large 'retreat' in northeastern Kyoto.... More