Advertisement
Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura Imperial Villa
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Application in advance is highly recommended. ------------------------------------------------------------------- This beautiful home belonged to members of the Katsura family, one of the Imperial families of Japan. The home displays some very traditional Japanese architecture and landscape design.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Katsura Imperial Villa

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles490 reviews
Excellent
359
Very good
89
Average
27
Poor
7
Terrible
8

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

szotdogs
Melbourne, Australia371 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Even in winter, this garden is excellent. I can only imagine how amazing it would be in spring or autumn.

You do have to apply in advance for a tour (I think you can try on the day but not recommended) and it does cost 1000 yen, but it is completely worth it.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stkyn
Minatomirai, Japan155 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
The garden and the building were both wonderful. It is said to be a masterpiece of Japanese gardens, and it is easy to see why Bruno Taut and Gropius praised it.
The tour takes about an hour, and is guided by a member of the Imperial Household Agency. Advance registration is required, and adults pay 1,000 yen on the day (free for high school students and younger). Credit cards are also accepted. The time I went, we were a small group of about 10 people, so I was able to listen carefully to the explanations of the staff and take my time looking around while taking photos.
When I went, the roof of the Nakashoin and other buildings were being re-roofed, so it was a bit disappointing that I couldn't see them, but the explanations of the staff helped me understand the important points to see and the historical background, so I was very satisfied.
Google
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elvira E
Malvern, Australia21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Solo
The Katsura Imperial Villa is a collection of teahouses, a temple, a viewing platform collectively designed with the purpose of moon watching... not that the premises are open at night to do just that. It is because of the carefully designed landscaping, including use of the "borrowed landscape", the placement of the pavilions and their design that this site has gained the status of icon in the world of architecture and urban design. Architects the world over have visited and gained inspiration from Katsura Imperial Villa. However, the approach to the location where this iconic villa exists is a nightmare. There is a train station marked "Katsura"—the name of the general area. But with respect to the information about how to get to the actual location on public transport, that is nothing short of appalling. Signage is virtually non-existent and the bus staff at Katsura railway station look at you as if you are asking for the way to Mars if you ask for directions to Katsura Villa. Given the villa is one of the wonders of architecture, and the fact you have to book a tour and pay money for the privilege, should it not be a little easier on the tourist to actually get to the right location. I went up and down many blind alleys in the rain to finally determine its whereabouts.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

akashi-rokuro
17,119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
As the Katsura Imperial Villa is managed by the Imperial Household Agency, it is basically necessary to notify the Imperial Household Agency in advance of your visit. There are only about 20 guided tours per group and you cannot work alone. It felt like a grand garden built for enjoying tea every season. The four teahouses go around in the following order: Songqin Pavilion - Shoka Pavilion - Shoiken - Gepparou. Songqin Pavilion is considered to be the winter tea house, Shoka Pavilion is the spring tea house, Shoiken is the summer tea house, and Gepparo is the autumn tea house, built in the direction of the moon appearing in each season. The summer tea rooms were well-ventilated, mosquito nets were hung, and all tea rooms were designed to match the season. The meaning of the Chinese character Katsura in the Katsura Imperial Villa, with its moon-viewing-focused teahouse, was convincing, as legend has it that the tree grows on the moon.
Automatically translated
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gatechnihonjin30350
Sharpsburg, GA1,385 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
There are several villas in Kyoto, but this is the only one that charges a fee.
You must make a reservation in advance.
There was a slight change when making the reservation, and we communicated via email, but they were very accommodating.
Since my husband is not Japanese, we had an English-speaking guide.
It was a very nice place, with elegance in its simplicity.
A short walk from the nearest bus stop.
Google
Written March 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joane F
Birmingham, MI13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
The Imperial Villa is historically interesting. The doors were open when we visited and you could see inside, which was a great treat. The gardens are stunning, like a fairy tale. Worth the visit and I would return.
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA2,364 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
My wife and I took the last tour of the day 4:20. The tour lasted an hour and the guide was extremely good. She spoke very good English, was very informative and personable. The gardens were very old and very impressive. We were glad we took for the tour

The tour is the only way to see the villa. You need to reserve in advance and bring a passport. We had 10-12 people on the tour which is likely the limit. The place is out of the way but worth the effort.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

arciboldi
munich65 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2012 • Solo
I have spent half a day going and coming from Katsura Imperial Villa, outside Kyoto. You can get there only by reservation at the Imperial Household Agency. Tours are given only in Japanese, lasting precisely 50 min. Foreigners are given an audioguide with minimal explanations and you never know which number to press. This is not a tour, it's a military march. You are not allow to stop on the path, you must move the second when the tour guide steps on. Otherwise, a sinister guy comes behind and starts yelling at you. The group stops in the tiny tea houses for explanations. There, you step on each other's feet and you cannot see anything. because you have 30 people blocking your view. I saw the Katsura Villa exactly 30 seconds, as the group marched by it. No access inside, like with any Imperial property. I stopped to look at the view - the guard started to shout at me in Japanese. I tried to take a picture, so he literally pushed me towards the group. He kept insulting me and mumbling hysterically behind my back the whole tour. They shouldn't hire mentally troubled staff. I felt like in a war movie. There are fantastic gardens in Kyoto, enjoy them leisurely and forget Katsura and its boot-camp tour. You won't get much of it anyway.
Written June 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joanne S
Brisbane, Australia123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Vited Katsura Imperial Villa late October which I booked on-line 3 months ago.
Absolutely loved the garden. The tours are only in Japanese though they supply an audio guide which is easy to use and follow. The tour is and hour long and it's a very leisurely unrushed stroll through the garden. There are some narrow sections, uneven stones and stairs so not well suited for wheelchair access. The garden is exceptional in it's beauty and very well maintained. You cannot enter the numerous tea houses along the way though as they're not large you can easily see in and take pictures.
I won't write about the History as all that information is easily acquired by doing and internet search. When you go onto the Imperial Household website there are a few venues to choose from. Click on Katsura Villa then of Application to visit. They open the bookings 3 months in advance at the beginning of each month, with a choice of 6 time slots a day (Monday- Friday) I recommend getting in early each month as it books up quickly. As example bookings for February 2009 just opened beginning of November and 5 day's later it's already half booked out.
If you go to Kasura don't bother with the Imperial Palace if time is short as the garden is ordinary in comparison, and you can't get as close to the buildings or see much inside.
The tour we went on had around 40-50 people. They must have some no shows each day so it's worth ringing to ask if you can't book ahead of time. I wouldn't risk just turning up as you are not allowed into the grounds without a pass.
We walked from the train station which took about 20min. We took the route suggested on their website; past the bus stop then along the Eastern side of the garden near the river. I didn't think this was very safe on the river side as there's no footpath and the passing traffic is very close. Returning back to the train station we walked west from garden entrance then south along the main road, which is safer.
It's free to book so if you're in Kyoto in 3-4 months it's well worth doing.
Written November 4, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lantagee
Cairns, Australia10 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Couples
I give katsura such a low rating not because it's so bad but because it's so overrated. It's out of central kyoto in in an area with almost nothing. You have to book in advance but if you are in kyoto for a short time there are so many other better places which are more convenient so dont bother.

If you actually go there, first you have to wait in an office reception room that hasnt been renewed in 30 years, you wouldnt believe this is part of an Imperial Villa. Next, you only get one hour to visit the garden and are shephered the whole time by the official guide. He drones on in Japanese most of the hour(you can get different languages which you can listen to by earphone, but do you want that in the garden?) The whole time you are kept together with the group and anyone who attempts to drift away is quickly herded back. For me there is almost no chance to enjoy the garden and see it on your own terms. If it wasnt an Imperial Villa nobody would bother to go. If you want to see a really impressive Imperial garden try to book Shugakuin in northern kyoto, that really is magnificient.
Written November 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 148
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Katsura Imperial Villa - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All Kyoto HotelsKyoto Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Kyoto
All things to do in Kyoto
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars