Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Park

★ 4.9 (26K+ reviews) • 342K+ booked

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a beautiful national garden located in central Kyoto and just a short walk from Kyoto Imperial Palace. Originally the Court Nobles' Residential Area in the Edo period, Kyoto Gyoen was transformed into a national garden, also known as Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, protecting the Imperial Palace's rich history. Today, it's a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, with historic sites like the Kyoto Imperial Palace and providing a perfect spot to reconnect with nature. It's open to everyone, anytime, offering a peaceful escape in the heart of Kyoto City. Explore all kinds of activities at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, including the special Premium Tour. In this tour, you can learn about the garden's fascinating history and discover hidden treasures while riding in a car around Kyoto. You can also get creative with activities like making fragrance pouches or experiencing a Matcha Otemae Tea Ceremony at the Shusui-Tei Tea House, previously owned by the respected Kujo Family. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden has a good mix of culture and nature, and it's perfect to add in your itinerary!

3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan

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4.9 /5

26K+ reviews

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Lesly *******

1 Jul

Booked a Ramen Cooking Class here in Kyoto. Mo Mo and Amir were fantastic teachers and very friendly people. Very much enjoyed and HIGHLY recommend for everyone that loves ramen to attend this. Ramen after the class was delcicious! 10/10 recommend!

Mary *****

1 Jul

Such a peaceful and scenic ride—perfect for relaxing and soaking in Arashiyama's natural beauty!

Klook User

30 Jun

The 2 men that taught us the process of making ramen were amazing and so friendly, they made the effort to explain things step by step so it was easy to follow and bonded over anime and ramen. A unique and one of a kind experience, it was just my partner and I which made the experience more private and enjoyable. Time just flew

Sandra ***********

30 Jun

Unfortunately, it rained heavily on the day of travel, but the ride on the Sagano Romantic Train was still unforgettable. The entire train crew bids you a sweet farewell upon departure, and the conductor tells you all about the route. There's a great little museum and café at the station, and all in all, the ride is highly recommended; the river and the forests are beautiful.

reilly ********

30 Jun

I had so much fun walking around with a kimono on, it was hot but the kimono was comfy so it didnt iritate me much. They have a wide selection of kimono and the staff are so kind, they are so jolly and nice. The place is small but homey and comforting, everything is accesible. The location is near the Gion station and also the Yasaka shrine and other beautiful traditional places you can take pictures at, super recommend this place! Great for its price.

클룩 회원

29 Jun

This is my first time writing a review on Klook. I made a reservation at 10 AM on Sunday and went there, but it was quiet and they guided me quickly, so I finished choosing and setting up in 30 minutes. First of all, I liked that they let me store a certain amount of luggage! (We didn't know that and left it in a coin locker at Kyoto Station, but) They also lent me a small pouch bag, so I was able to carry my luggage without any problems. They explained to me well that I should wear a yukata instead of a kimono because the weather was getting warmer, and they only looked at the design ㅋㅋㅋ They kindly explained to me that it would be hot whenever I was choosing a kimono, so I was grateful🥹 Even though my hair was short, they put it up nicely, and they even lent me a fan, which was very useful. (You should bring your own parasol, the sunlight is really hot) Thanks to them, I was able to travel very nicely. I understood what they meant by everyone being kind. They explained everything one by one, and the person who did my hair was especially attentive, so I was really touched... . The hair is amazing... ., This quality for this price, and famous places like Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka are not too far away. 15 minutes on foot? We had a nice yukata and walked around nicely. Oh, and it was nice that there were sizes for men up to 2XL. My boyfriend also wore it in a size that fit him well. Thank you. If I come to Kyoto again, I will definitely choose it again without hesitation!!

Yu ******

29 Jun

Sakura Kimono Store has 2 branches. We went to the wrong one, but the staff was still very polite and let us have a kimono experience there. The weather was very hot, so we chose yukata. The staff who helped us put on the kimono were very nice and helped us choose accessories. They made us look very beautiful/handsome. It is a store worth recommending.

Shen *****

29 Jun

During the 7-day 6-night free travel, I specially arranged a day to sign up for a group tour in Kyoto. The main attractions this time were Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. The overall itinerary was all the attractions I really wanted to visit. I was super nervous before departure, after all, it was my first time traveling in this way, and I wanted to participate selfishly, but in fact I really felt great. The entire time control and itinerary arrangement were all very appropriate. I would like to thank our tour guide Xiao Fu (Alvin) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. During the trip, he explained the history of the attractions in Chinese and English, and shared many recommended restaurants, allowing us to use time quickly and accurately, and he would also remind everyone in the group of the meeting time and place in a timely manner. Our group had a large number of people and we took the bus, but Xiao Fu still cared about everyone's situation, whether there was anything they wanted to eat, etc. He was always willing to help. Especially when my son fell and injured both knees, Xiao Fu immediately went to buy disinfectant and dressings for us. I am really grateful, otherwise we might not be able to have fun. The child felt embarrassed afterwards and wanted to thank this big brother. We returned to Osaka at nearly 6 o'clock and had plenty of time to go shopping. After returning home, everyone felt that they had a fulfilling and happy day.

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Things to Do in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace is located inside the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. People love to walk, run, have picnics, and see flowers there. The palace is hidden behind tall walls and gates. It looks just like it did in the late 1800s when the emperor moved to Tokyo. Now, it's open for the public to see. If you're in Kyoto, it's a cool place to visit and learn about history.

Children's Park

In the northwest part of the gardens, there's a Children's Park where the Konoe Residence used to be. It has swings, a slide, and other fun stuff to play with. Next to the park, there's a rest house where you can take a break and relax. It's a great place for kids to have fun outdoors!

Konoe Residence

At the place where the Konoe Residence used to be, there's now a rest house where you can take a nice break and enjoy some tea while looking at the garden. The building has a study area and a room for tea ceremonies. They serve matcha, and you can have an option to add Japanese treats of your choice. The cafe also offers other drinks and desserts that reflect the traditions of the noble families and the different seasons. It's a cool spot to experience a bit of culture and history!

Kan-in no Miya Residence

Travel back in time at the Kan-in no Miya Residence. In the spring, you can see beautiful cherry blossoms in the garden. This place used to be where the imperial family lived, giving you a peek into their elegant lifestyle and preferences. It's a great way to learn about history and enjoy the beauty of nature!

Kyoto State Guest House

Visit the Kyoto State Guest House and see the amazing work of talented craftspeople and artists, some of whom are highly respected in Japan. They have created a place where you can experience warm Japanese hospitality. The building and gardens are carefully designed to blend in with the historical surroundings. It's a breathtaking spot to explore and learn about Japan's history!

Nakadachiuri Rest House

In the garden, there are spots where you can take a break and relax. One of these places is the Nakadachiuri Rest House, which was finished in March 2019. It has a restaurant where you can have a nice, relaxed meal while visiting. It's a cool place to unwind while exploring the gardens!

Popular Attractions Near Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Arashiyama

Arashiyama is a peaceful area on the edge of Kyoto, about 30 to 40 minutes from Kyoto Gyoen National Garden by train or car. It's known for its famous Bamboo Grove, where you can walk through tall, swaying bamboo stalks. You can also take a boat ride on the Hozugawa River, visit beautiful temples like Tenryu-ji, or see monkeys up close at the Iwatayama Monkey Park. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple is a beautiful Zen temple in Kyoto known for its peaceful gardens and mountain views. You can walk through its famous landscape garden, enjoy the reflection of trees on the pond, and take in the calm atmosphere. It's also a great place to see cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn. Tenryu-ji is in the Arashiyama area, about 30 minutes away from Kyoto Gyoen National Garden by train.

Jojakkoji

Jojakkoji is a peaceful temple in Kyoto known for its quiet paths, tall maple trees, and beautiful views of the city. You can walk through mossy gardens, climb up to a small pagoda, and enjoy the colorful leaves in autumn. It's a great spot to relax and take photos, especially if you like nature and history. Jojakkoji is about 40 minutes away from Kyoto Gyoen National Garden by train and bus.

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden