Kyoto Shosei-en Garden

Walk in the footsteps of Hikaru Genji

Tomoko Kamishima Apr 09, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Rinchi-tei Hall facing a pond garden</p>

<p>Ceremonial gate surrounded by cherry blossoms</p>

<p>Kyoto Tower and modern buildings over the garden</p>

<p>Trees without their leaves in winter</p>

<p>This plant is called “Murasaki Shikibu,” the same name as the author of The Tale of Genji</p>

Shosei-en Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden, just a 10-minute-walk from JR Kyoto Station. If you have an hour before you leave Kyoto, it is a perfect place to visit and enjoy your last moments here. This garden was designed by a prominent garden designer, Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672) who also planned Shisen-do Villa. Its grounds were once thought to be owned by Minamoto no Toru, the model for Hikaru Genji in The Tale of Genji.

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...