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Park & Garden

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

📍 3 Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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3.6/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Kyoto
Category
Park & Garden
Duration
1-2 hours
Address
3 Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Coordinates
35.0234, 135.7632

Introduction

Kyoto Gyoen is the national garden surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace, managed by the Environment Ministry over some 65 hectares and open free around the clock. After the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869, the palace grounds and the nobles' quarter were laid out as a public park. Alongside the 11-hectare palace — free tours by reservation on the Imperial Household Agency site or same-day tickets at the Seisho-mon gate — stand the Sento and Omiya palaces and the Munashima and Nashinoki shrines. The weeping cherry at the Konoe residence site blooms first in late March, the Somei Yoshino along the Demizu stream peaks in early April, and ginkgo before the Kenreimon gate with maple in the Haha-to-ko no Mori colour the late autumn: a green oasis in the city for joggers, picnickers and visitors alike.

✨ Highlights

1
65-hectare garden
A national garden open free around the clock.
2
Imperial Palace
The 11-hectare palace, free by reservation or same-day ticket.
3
Weeping cherry
The Konoe-site weeping cherry blooms first in late March.
4
Sento Palace
The retired emperor's palace, free guided tours by booking.
5
Shrines
Munashima and Nashinoki shrines within the grounds.
6
Ginkgo and maple
Ginkgo at Kenreimon, maple in the mother-and-child wood.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：3 Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
→Time needed：1-2 hours
→Opening Hours：Park open 24 hours year-round; palace tours 9:00-17:00 Apr-Aug, 9:00-16:30 Mar/Sep, 9:00-16:00 Oct-Feb, closed Mondays

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free AdmissionFree park and palace tours

Shusui-tei JPY 300; Sento by booking

Transportation

Subway

Karasuma Line to Marutamachi or Imadegawa Sta., ~5 min on foot

Note

City bus to Kojin-guchi etc., ~5-min walk

💡 Tips

• The park is open 24 hours, year-round — ideal for walks and morning jogs.
• Palace tours run 9:00-17:00 Apr-Aug, 9:00-16:30 in Mar and Sep, 9:00-16:00 Oct-Feb; closed Mondays.
• The Shusui-tei tea house opens Thursday to Saturday, 9:30-15:30, JPY 300.
• Cherry season runs late March to mid-April; maple from mid-November to early December.
• Enter about 5 minutes on foot from Marutamachi or Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Line.
• No photography inside the palace buildings — follow the on-site instructions.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Kyoto Gyoen National Garden?

Park open 24 hours year-round; palace tours 9:00-17:00 Apr-Aug, 9:00-16:30 Mar/Sep, 9:00-16:00 Oct-Feb, closed Mondays

How much is the admission for Kyoto Gyoen National Garden?

Free Admission: Free park and palace tours; Shusui-tei JPY 300; Sento by booking

Any practical tips for visiting Kyoto Gyoen National Garden?

The park is open 24 hours, year-round — ideal for walks and morning jogs. Palace tours run 9:00-17:00 Apr-Aug, 9:00-16:30 in Mar and Sep, 9:00-16:00 Oct-Feb; closed Mondays.

How long should I spend at Kyoto Gyoen National Garden?

A typical visit takes 1-2 hours.

How do I get to Kyoto Gyoen National Garden?

Subway: Karasuma Line to Marutamachi or Imadegawa Sta., ~5 min on foot