Katsura Rikyu with green maple leaves

 

The gardens of Katsura Imperial Villa (i.e. Katsura Rikyu) are said to be the most beautiful in Japan. I visited Katsura Rikyu, which reopened to the public in June after the declaration of a state of emergency due to the corona disaster, in the season of swaying green maples.

 

Katsura Rikyu started accepting applications on the day of the tour this month. Get off at "Katsura Rikyu-mae" (city bus No. 33) from Kyoto Station, turn around a little and walk north along the Katsura River, and soon you will see a sign on your left that says "Same-day registration.

 

Guided 1-our tours are available every hour at Katsura Rikyu, but the number of people per tour is limited to 20 due to the Corona disaster. This time, I lined up before the 8:40 a.m. registration started, so I joined the 9:00 a.m. tour. There were four participants.

The representative of the group wrote his or her name, presented his or her ID, and went inside. The tour fee is 1,000 yen per person over the age of 18. Physically challenged visitors and one accompanying person are free. You will receive an admission ticket and a pamphlet.

When the guide took us into the garden of Katsura Rikyu, the ground inside was paved with stones like this.

These are called Ararekoboshi. It is made of small stones that have been cut and shaped one by one and embedded in the ground. It is said to be a way of caring for the feet of noble people.

 

This is the Miyukimon gate. This is the gate that guests pass through when they arrive.

This mountain is "Momijiyama". It is a mountain made of soil dug from the pond in the garden. It is planted with autumn leaves, and when viewed from the tea room on the other side, the autumn leaves shine in the pond.

“Please don't step on the ground or the moss except on the stepping stones," the guide said.

This is "Sotokoshikake". It is a simple building with a thatched roof supported by logs. It is a waiting area for guests before entering the tea room. It is also equipped with a toilet.

The cobblestones in this area are made of straight man-made stones and curved natural stones. It is said that the straight lines represent the tension of meeting a noble person, while the curves represent relaxation.

The view from here is a scenery where a stone bridge was built to resemble Amanohashidate, a narrow sandbar spanning the sea, a famous scenic spot in northern Kyoto

“Until now, the view was of the sea. The rocks hereabouts are arranged in the shape of mountains.”

There are four tea rooms in Katsura Imperial Villa. The first of these, Shokin-tei.

A narrow stone bridge (Shirakawa Bridge) leading to Shokin-tei. A similar one still exists in Higashiyama Ward).

The entrance for guests of Shokin-tei. Guests at the tea ceremony had to enter with a low posture like this.

A sword hanging outside the entrance to the tea room. You have to be unarmed to enter the tea room.

 

Blue and white checkered pattern on the walls of the alcove and sliding doors.

The cooking stove in the tea room. It is said that all kinds of cooking was done here.

 

View of the garden from Shokintei

Suddenly, a snake swam quickly across the pond.

 

Next, we climbed a little hill about six meters up to reach the second tea house, the Shoka-tei.

Here is the view of the pond from the pavilion.

 

The Enrindo Hall is located down the hill from the tea room. This is where the Buddha was originally enshrined. The plaque is in Emperor Go-Mizuo's handwriting.

This is a "snow lantern". The head of the lantern is deliberately made flat to enjoy the snow-covered scenery.

The third teahouse, Shoiken, which means "Laughing House". In the foreground is a landing place for boats. In the old days, the imperial family and nobles enjoyed touring the pond by boat, so there are boat docks all over the pond, and the bridge is a drum bridge for boats to pass under.

Green maples are beautiful in the early summer sun.

The palace finally comes into view over the Taiko Bridge.

 

The palace was built diagonally in three sections, from right to left: the old drawing room, the middle drawing room where Prince Tomotada, the son of villa founder Prince Tomohito resided, and the new drawing room for welcoming Emperor Emeritus Gomizuo.

There is a moon viewing platform protruding from the old library.

On the southeast side of the pond, a low mountain has been built so that when the moon rises, it will not be blocked by the mountain.

 

We came to the last teahouse, Gepparo.

The room facing southeast has a view of the moon and the pond, and the room facing northeast has a view of only Mt.

 

Sumiyoshi no Matsu, also known as Impulse Pine. The garden of Katsura Rikyu is a circular garden. This tree blocks the view of the whole garden for visitors who have just arrived, so that they can enjoy the scenery only after walking around.

 

We have now completed our round of the Katsura Imperial Villa. Thank you all for your hard work!