Best Gardens In Kansai
Here're best Gardens in Kansai. We released a ranking of reviews about Gardens posted by travel influencers who have actually been to Kansai.
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Sanzen-in Temple is located at Kyoto Ohara where has the beautiful nature in each season. Its garden is covered with moss and you can leave the daily life in front of the beautiful and comfortable scenery. A lovely Warabe Jizo (a stone image with child face) makes us feel at ease.
Name
Kyoto Ohara Sanzen-in Temple
Address
540 Ohara Koin-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-744-2531
Hours
8:30-17:00
How to get there
By bus, 60 min from Kyoto Station to 'Ohara Bus Stop', then 10 min walk. By car, 20 min from Mano IC. There's no parking area, you can use toll parking lot nearby.
Parking
Nearby toll parking area is available

Enko-ji Temple is famous for the frame-garden (the garden looks like a picture thanks to the pillars and eaves ) of the main temple building. The wonderful autumn colors, green moss, and calm bamboo grove make us feel soothed. I felt happy with the smile of Ojizo statue and could have tranquil time here. ◎Shisen-do and Kompuku-ji Temple are able to access on foot from here. Both temples have beautiful autumn colors, so I recommend to visit together.
Name
Enko-ji Temple
Address
13 Kotani-cho Ichijo-ji Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Fee
Adult 500 yen、Child 300 yen
How to get there
35 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Ichijoji Sagari Matsu-cho, then 10 min walk. 15 min walk from Ichijoji Station. By car, 30 min from Kyoto Station.
Parking
Parking area is available

In the cool air of the early morning in late autumn. Can you find the beauty of the natural garden and how you should be? It's not bad to look for something 'lovely', but let's stretch your back at a simple place once in a while.◎A famous picture of Daruma and a ceiling picture of Dragon are also interesting. Visiting in early morning, you can see them without congestion.
Name
Tenryu Temple
Address
68 Sagatenryu-ji Susukinobaba-cho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-881-1235
Hours
8:30-17:30
How to get there

Rokuou-in Temple's stone paved approach is like an autumn colored red tunnel. We can walk along the approach slowly, and enjoy autumn of Kyoto. Going through the pass, there's a garden where the tranquil time glides by. Please try to look up sometimes.
Name
Rokuo-in Temple
Address
24 Saga Kitabori-cho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-861-1645
Hours
9:00-17:00
How to get there
5 min walk from JR Saga Arashiyama Station. 3 min walk from Araden Rokuouin Station. By bus, 40 min from Kyoto Station to Shimo Saga, then 3 min walk. By car or taxi, 30 min from Kyoto Station.
Parking
Free parking area is available

I visited Nanzen-ji Temple for the first time! Though I had an image of here as a temple famous for the autumn colored leaves, I really enjoyed the beautiful fresh greens in this season!◎10 min walk from Keage Station of subway Tozai Line.
Name
Nanzen-ji Temple
Address
Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
How to get there
10 min walk from Keage Station. 25 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Nanzenji Eikando, then 10 min walk.

A famous place for maple leaves viewing, Ruriko-in Temple has terms of special visiting for a few months in spring and autumn. You can see the beautiful green leaves in spring, and colorful ones in autumn. The reflections on the floor and desk is so wonderful!◎The special visiting of autumn in 2017 is 10/1~12/10 Entrance fee: 2000yen
Name
Ruriko-in Temple
Address
55 Higashiyama Kamitakano Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-781-4001
Fee
Adult 2000 yen、Child 0 yen
How to get there
5 min walk from Yase Hieizan-guchi Station, 5 min walk from Yase Station. By bus, 50 min from Kyoto Station to Yase Station, then 7 min walk.
Parking
Nearby toll parking area is available

A stone temple Kyorinbo, built by Shotoku Taishi, is a great but a little known temple in Shiga Prefecture! The bamboo grove and mossy garden covered with fall colored leaves are like different world indeed. The falling red leaves down to the green moss are breathtakingly beautiful. What's more, you can see the carpet of red maple leaves in the later season.◎Open date in 2017: 11/1-12/17 9:30-16:30 Except for these dates, it opens only weekends and holidays. Illumination date: 11/18-12/10 17:30-20:00
Name
Kyorinbo Temple
Address
1145 Ishidera Aduchi-cho, Omihachiman-shi, ShigaGoogle Map
How to get there
10 min by taxi from JR Azuchi Station. By car, 20 min from Ryuou IC, 20 min from Gamou IC, and 40 min from Hikone IC. Parking area is available.
Parking
Parking area is available

In a room to appreciate the spacious garden, there's a table reflecting the beautiful garden.
Name
The Former Chikurin-in
Address
5-2-13 Sakamoto, Otsu-shi, ShigaGoogle Map
Hours
9:00-17:00
Closed
Mon
Fee
Adult 320 yen、Child 160 yen
How to get there
10 min walk from Sakamoto Hieizanguchi Station. 20 min walk from Hieizan Sakamoto Station. By car or taxi, 20 min from Otsu Station.
Parking
Parking area is available

Genkyu-en is a Daimyo Garden (gardens built by the lords of each region of Japan in Edo Period) belonged to the old Hikone Clan. The scenery of lighted Japanese garden with Hikone Castle, one of the five castles of national treasure, was very fantastic and worth seeing so much.◎15 min walk from Hikone Station. The parking area is available, but the night is dark, so be careful when you park a car.
Name
Genkyu-en Garden
Address
3 Konki-cho, Hikone-shi, ShigaGoogle Map
Tel
0749-22-2742
Hours
8:30-17:00
Fee
Adult 200 yen、Child 100 yen
How to get there
15 min walk from Hikone Station. By car or taxi, 60 min from Otsu Station.
Parking
Parking area is available

It was repaired and very beautiful hall roofed with cypress bark. After walking around the extensive Nara Park and when you want to take a rest, here is the good relaxing place.
Name
Nara Park
Address
469 Zoshi-cho, Nara-shi, NaraGoogle Map
Tel
0742-27-8036
How to get there
On foot: 5 min from Kintetsu Nara Station, 20 min from JR Nara Station. By bus: 2 min from Kintetsu Nara Station, or 9 min from JR Nara Station to Nara Park. By car: 45 min from Osaka, 60 min from Kyoto.
Parking
Nearby toll parking area is available

Hikone Castle has a relation with Ii family. It's hard to be invaded and easy to use, so we can find wisdom everywhere in the castle. The historical interior is also the highlight. What is more, the castle seen from Genkyu-en Garden in the same site is so gorgeous that I can say it has both beauty and strength.◎Access: 10min by car from 'Hikone IC' of Meishin Highway. Or, 10min walk from JR Hikone Station. Available time: 8:30-17:00
Name
Hikone Castle
Address
1-1 Konkicho, Hikone-shi, ShigaGoogle Map
Tel
0749-22-2742
Hours
8:30-17:00
How to get there
15 min walk from JR Hikone Station. 15 min by car from Hikone IC.
Parking
Parking area is available

As for Toji Temple, the scenes of spring and autumn are famous, but I like this early summer scenery with fresh greens. You can enjoy seeing the beautiful garden in this season more leisurely than the peak season, for there're fewer people. What's more, you can see the sunset with fresh greens just before the closing time.
Name
Toji Temple
Address
1 Kujyo-cho Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-691-3325
Hours
5:00-17:00
How to get there
15 min walk from Kyoto Station, or 10 min walk from Toji Station. By bus, 10 min from Kyoto Station to Toji-mae.
Parking
Parking area is available

Together with foliage plants and orchids, the water's edge and other displays are totally produced. Every corner of the large glasshouse surrounded by vivid color flowers and greens is so photogenic! Let's wear a colorful dress and take beautiful pictures here!◎This botanical garden is a highlight of a complex 'Awaji Yume Butai'. They hold various kinds of exhibitions, so you can enjoy anytime. Entrance fee: adult 600yen
Name
Awaji Yumebutai
Address
2 Yumebutai, Awaji-shi, HyogoGoogle Map
Tel
0799-74-1000
How to get there
10 min by car, from Awaji IC

A Japanese garden located in the same site of Osaka Castle is known to only a few people. The castle seen from the Japanese garden is more beautiful, and what's more, you can see the reflected castle in the pond. It's a must-visit place when you come to Osaka Castle.
Name
Osaka Castle
Address
1-1 Osakajo Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, OsakaGoogle Map
Tel
06-6941-3044
Hours
9:00-17:00
How to get there
Osaka Castle Park Station is the nearest. By car or taxi, 20 min from Shin Osaka Station, 15 min from Osaka Station, 25 min from Itami Airport, or 50 min from Kansai International Airport.
Parking
Toll parking area is available

There are nine different areas in this 3.5ha Japanese garden. It takes time to see all of them but I can notice and be fascinated every time I visit.
Name
Koko-en Garden
Address
68 Hon-machi, Himeji-shi, HyogoGoogle Map
Tel
079-289-4120
Hours
9:00-17:00,9:00-18:00
How to get there

Different from Kanauji Temple, Ginkakuji has understated but powerful atmosphere. Ginsyadan is sketched the surf scenery, the sand hill is called Mukougetu-dai. They make me feel the aesthetic sense of Higashiyama Culture(around 1483).
Name
Ginkakuji Temple
Address
2 Ginkakuji-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-771-5725
Hours
8:30-17:00,9:00-16:30
How to get there
Parking
Nearby toll parking area is available

Katsuo-ji Temple is the 23th one of Saikoku 33 Temples. It's famous for Daruma Dolls, and also the beautiful fall foliage that cover the whole mountain in autumn. You can see the lovely collaboration of Daruma and autumn colored leaves.◎Illumination Event (only in 2017): Saturdays, Sundays and holidays till November 30th. From sunset to 19:30(close the gate). You need to use cars because there're no public facilities.
Name
Katsuoji Temple
Address
2914-1 Aomatani, Mino-shi, OsakaGoogle Map
Tel
072-721-7010
Hours
8:00-17:00 [Sat]8:00-17:30 [Sun・Holidays]8:00-18:00
How to get there
20 min by car or taxi from Mino Station.
Parking
Toll parking area is available

Giouji Temple is located a little walk ahead from Arashiyama. The beautiful moss is specially fascinating, and it changes the color in each season. In early summer, the moss green becomes most beautiful and vivid.
Name
Giouji Temple
Address
32 Sagatoriimotokozaka-cho, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-861-3574
Hours
9:00-17:00
Fee
Adult 300 yen、Child 100 yen
How to get there
20 min walk from Arashiyama Station. By bus, 50 min from Shijokawaramachi to Saga Elementary School, then 17 min walk. By car, 35 min from Kyoto Minami (South) IC, and parking area is available.
Parking
Free parking area is available

Although Eikando could be very crowded with many tourists in the season of autumn leaves, you can see around calmly now in the fresh greens for there're fewer visitors. In the precinct of Eikando, you must see the beautifully curved Garyu-ro (Hallway Of Lying Dragon: named after its ceiling which is similar to a dragon's back).
Name
Eikando Zenrin-ji
Address
48 Eikando-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map
Tel
075-761-0007
Hours
9:00-17:00
How to get there
15 min walk from Keage Station. By bus, 25 min from Kyoto Station or 10 min from Sanjo-keihan Station to Nanzanji Eikando. Free parking area is available.
Parking
No parking area