Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, National Garden in Kamigyō-ku, Japan.
Kyoto Gyoen is a large public garden in central Kyoto housing three imperial structures: the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Omiya Imperial Palace, and the Sento Imperial Palace. The grounds feature multiple paths, open green spaces, and seasonal flowers that change throughout the year.
The area served as a residential district for court nobles during the Edo period until the capital relocated to Tokyo. After the move, buildings were dismantled and the land was transformed into a public garden.
The garden hosts two major festivals: the Aoi Matsuri and the Jidai Matsuri, where visitors witness traditional processions and ceremonies. Tea ceremony experiences take place at the Shu Sui Tei Tea-ceremony room, allowing guests to engage with classical Japanese tea culture.
The garden is free to enter and can be reached on foot from Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Line subway. Visitors should wear weather-appropriate clothing, as the garden is accessible year-round with varying conditions depending on the season.
The garden preserves not only palaces but also portions of Kyoto's historical urban fabric, making it more than a simple green space. This interweaving of history and nature creates a place where visitors step through different layers of the city's past.
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