Kyoto Imperial Palace and other Imperial Villas in Kyoto

Photo (The Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace/The Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace)

Photo Description
Kitaike Pond
Kitaike Pond
The Kitaike Pond (North Pond) initially was the garden of the Omiya Imperial Palace. A crossing canal, constructed in the early 18th century, connects the North and South Ponds.
The landing place on the North Pond
The Landing Place on the North Pond
Akosegafuchi, Rokumaibashi Bridge
Akosegafuchi, Rokumaibashi Bridge
Rokumaibashi, which refers to the bridge of six flat cut stones, crosses over Akosegafuchi pool.
Stone Monument of Kinotsurayuki
Stone Monument of Kinotsurayuki
The monument was built in 1875. This is the site where the residence of the prominent poet Kinotsurayuki once stood.
Tsukabashi Bridge
Tsukabashi Bridge
Momijibashi Bridge
Momijibashi Bridge
The Momijibashi Bridge (Maple Tree Bridge)is the earthen bridge that crosses over the canal and connects the North and South Ponds.
Momijiyama,the maple hillock
Momijiyama Maple Hillock
Minamiike Pond
Minamiike Pond
The Minamiike Pond (South Pond) contains various elements such as a waterfall, islets, bridges, and Suhama (South Pond Shore),which offer highly picturesque scenery in a tranquil atmosphere.
Yatsuhashi Bridge
Yatsuhashi Bridge
The path crosses the South Pond via this the Yatsuhashi Bridge (zigzag bridge) covered by a wisteria trellis.
Seikatei
Seikatei
The Seikatei is a shingle-roofed tea pavilion situated in the south end of the South Pond. The name of “Seikatei” is derived from a poem written by a Chinese prominent poet, Li Bo of Tang dynasty.
Suhama Shore
Suhama Shore
Suhama is the South Pond shore which consists of a pebbled beach created from stones nearly identical in size and shape (flat and oval stones). The flat pebble is called “Isshouseki” because it is said that each pebble was exchanged with one sho (about 1.8 litres) rice.
Yushintei
Yushintei
The Yushintei is the tea pavilion brought from the former residence of the Konoe family in 1884 to replace the pavilion “Shishisai” which was lost to fire. The Sotokoshikake outdoor arbor bench used as a waiting place for tea ceremony gathering is located outside of the Chumon Gate.
The pavilion is scheduled to be repaired from October 2022 to March 2023. During the period, the whole pavilion is covered in scaffolding. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Sotokoshikake
Sotokoshikake Outdoor Bench
The Sotokoshikake Outdoor Bench was repaired. This was to repair the deteriorated parts of the shingled roof. The work was completed in March 2022.