Basic Information
Address:京都府京都市左京区岡崎西天王町Phone:075-761-0221Hours:8：30-18：00
３月１日から３月１４日、９月１日から１０月３１日は17：30まで、11月１日から２月末までは16：30Fee:神苑のみ拝観料600円Access:市バス5系統「京都会館・美術館前」下車すぐWebsite:
Description
Built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto.
Positioned at the end of Reisen-dori street. Painted vermillion.
The precinct is modeled after the Heian-kyo capital, with the vermillion Daigoku-den (the outer worship hall) and symmetrical tower pavilions — Byakko-ro (White Tiger Tower) to the west and Soryu-ro (Blue Dragon Tower) to the east — connected by covered corridors.
Starting from just east of the main hall, the garden loops clockwise through four sections: the Middle Garden, East Garden, South Garden, and West Garden. The Middle Garden has irises, the West Garden has Japanese irises (best in early June), and the South Garden features nadeshiko pinks, ominaeshi, and bellflowers. In April, the weeping cherry blossoms are gorgeous too.
In the Okazaki area, where you'll also find art museums and Kyoto Kaikan, the views of the Higashiyama mountains are almost exactly what old Kyotoites would have seen — remarkably unchanged even today.
