Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura Imperial Villa
Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū)
The Shoin
Map
TypeJapanese garden
LocationKyoto, Japan
Coordinates34°59′02″N 135°42′34″E / 34.983889°N 135.709444°E / 34.983889; 135.709444
Created17th Century

The Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū), or Katsura Detached Palace, is an Imperial residence with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan. Located on the western bank of the Katsura River in Katsura, Nishikyō-ku, the Villa is 8km distant from the main Kyoto Imperial Palace. The villa and gardens are nationally recognized as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The grounds of the villa are regarded as a notable exemplar of traditional Japanese gardening. Tea ceremony houses within the strolling gardens and the main villa itself are all sited to maximize appreciation of varied foliage and changing seasonal vistas.

The palace originally belonged to the prince of the Hachijō-no-miya (八条宮) family. The Imperial Household Agency currently administers the site. Although the Imperial Villa itself is not open to visitors, public tours of the gardens are available by appointment.