Kyoto

Kyoto's Katsura Imperial Villa

Take a tour of one of Kyoto's finest

Larry Knipfing Jul 17, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>There was no wind that day, so reflections in the ponds were very pretty</p>

<p>One of the numerous lovely ponds in the villa</p>

<p>Depending on what time of year you visit, you will find completely different flowers in bloom - this is early May</p>

<p>A small temple just over the small bridge</p>

<p>Bridges like this make it easy to imagine you are in the Japan of yesteryear</p>

<p>Some of the smaller details are also poetic and beautiful</p>

<p>The total package: Temple, Bridge, Flowers, Lantern</p>

<p>From a different angle, and equally beautiful</p>

<p>Views like this abound around every turn</p>

<p>The villa is in the middle of nowhere, and so there is greenery and quiet everywhere</p>

<p>An impressive bamboo fence lining the road to the villa</p>

Strolling around the Katsura Imperial Villa, it is easy to imagine what it might have been like hundreds of years ago, with sophisticated court nobles and powerful samurai, and elegant ladies in kimono all here enjoying the good life. Managed by the Imperial Household, only those with reservations can enter for the 2-3 hour tour. If you like a lot of lakes and ponds, well-tailored gardens, and quaint bridges, this is the place for you! English audio tours are available and are fairly interesting.

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Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...