Shoseien Garden Highlights Guide – Discover Kyoto’s hidden and spectacular garden! ~~

渉成園

Zen kun
Located right next to the historic Higashi Honganji Temple, Shoseien is a garden worth seeing in Kyoto.
Kyoto pronunciation
This tranquil oasis continues to attract visitors with its beautiful scenery and rich history.

What is Shoseien?

Shoseien was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu in the early Edo period (1603-1868) and is the enclave of Higashi Honganji Temple. The garden was created by the famous gardener Ishikawa Jozan. The garden is named after the Chinese poet Tao Yuan Ming, who said, The garden is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of the garden and its surroundings.

Basic Information

Name Shoseien Garden of Higashi Honganji Temple
Hours of operation March-October: 9:00-17:00
November – February: 9:00 – 16:00
Admission Fee Adults: 500 yen or more, High school students and younger: 250 yen or more (as a donation for garden maintenance)
Parking lot Available (parking fees apply)
Location Higashitamamizui-cho, Shimozuya-cho-dori, Manomachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8190, Japan
TEL: 075-371-9210 075-371-9210
Official websitehttps://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/about/guide/shoseien/

Features and Highlights

  • Historic garden familiar to the citizens of Kyoto
  • Composed of 13 beautiful “superb views
  • Flowers and plants bloom from season to season

A major highlight of Shoseien Garden is the “13 Views of Shoseien ” named by the Edo period scholar Rai Sanyo. These spectacular views include the following

Kikkadai: A hill where chrysanthemums bloom in autumn.

Mangetsu-tei: a cool pavilion facing the pond, ideal for viewing the full moon.

Isozaki Island: An island in the pond where turtles swim.

Horai Island: Another island in the center of the pond with towering pine trees. The plants in the garden are also a must-see. In spring, plum and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and in summer, irises and water lilies adorn the pond. In autumn, the garden is bathed in the vivid colors of the autumn foliage.

渉成園
渉成園

How to get there

  • 10-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station
  • 7 min. walk from Subway Gojo Station
  • 5 min. walk from “Karasuma Shichijo” city bus stop.

Summary

Shoseien Garden is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Kyoto and immerse oneself in the beauty of nature. The beautiful scenery and rich history of this garden make it a must-visit for any visitor.

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