Ōkōchi Sanso Garden | A Hidden Gem to Visit in Kyoto Sightseeing

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is a beautiful garden located in the Sagano area in the northwest part of Kyoto. This garden was created over more than 30 years by Denjirō Ōkōchi, a prominent actor and garden enthusiast from Japan’s Showa era.

Spanning approximately 20,000 square meters, the expansive grounds feature his villa and several buildings designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, offering stunning scenery throughout the seasons.

To fully enjoy the charm of Ōkōchi Sanso Garden, we recommend checking out the highlights and access information in this article before your visit.

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is a garden located in the Sagano area in the northwest part of Kyoto. It was created by Denjirō Ōkōchi, a prominent actor from Japan’s Showa era. Denjirō Ōkōchi was a major star in Japan, known for his roles in period dramas and war films over a span of about 40 years.

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden was painstakingly built by Denjirō Ōkōchi himself over more than 30 years, starting when he was around 34 until his death at the age of 64. The garden covers approximately 20,000 square meters, and Ōkōchi continued to work on it until he passed away.

Within the garden, there is a villa that belonged to Denjirō Ōkōchi, as well as several buildings designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. The garden is also notable for its lush greenery, offering visitors a beautiful Japanese garden surrounded by nature.

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is relatively unknown within Japan and can be considered a hidden gem among Japanese tourist spots. However, it has received high praise from international visitors. It is a recommended destination not only for casual travelers but also for garden enthusiasts.

【「文化財を守り伝える京都府基金」へ寄付をお願いいたします】1万円を御寄付いただきますと、俳優大河内傳次郎が作庭した大河内山荘の修理現場見学会に御招待いたします。２月９日（金）締め切り、見学会は2月25日（日）https://t.co/dHEu2eoB2uhttps://t.co/oQXdue1puZ#時代劇 #ふるさと納税 pic.twitter.com/SuMDkT9UzU

— 京都府広報課 (@KyotoPrefPR) January 25, 2018

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden features several attractions within its expansive grounds. Knowing about these highlights in advance can enhance your visit. Here, we introduce four notable points of interest in Ōkōchi Sanso Garden.

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is designed to be enjoyed year-round, with landscapes that reflect Kyoto’s four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, followed by azaleas in summer. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, and winter features the beauty of pine trees.No matter when you visit, you can enjoy the unique charm of the garden’s seasonal scenery.

The garden can be easily explored by following the signs along the pathways. In addition to seasonal plants, there are other notable features such as stepping stone paths, moss-covered grounds, and bamboo fences. Throughout the expansive grounds, you can feel the dedication and meticulous care that Denjirō Ōkōchi put into creating this beautiful space.

Within the grounds of Ōkōchi Sanso Garden, you can find buildings such as “Daijokaku,” “Chumon,” and “Tekisui-an.” These structures are recommended highlights, not only for those interested in Japanese architecture but also for visitors who come to enjoy the scenery of the garden.

For example, Daijokaku combines several traditional Japanese architectural styles, including shoin-zukuri, shinden-zukuri, and sukiya-zukuri. This building served as Denjirō Ōkōchi’s bedroom and a place where he spent his leisure time.

Chumon is located along the pathways of the garden and serves as a gate dividing the inner and outer sections of the garden. One of its notable features is the roof, which curves gracefully in a large arch. Despite its small width of approximately 1.7 meters, this gate, reminiscent of sukiya-zukuri style, stands out with its strong presence.

The highlights of Ōkōchi Sanso Garden are not limited to the garden and the buildings within its grounds. The scenic views that unfold after strolling along the paths are also not to be missed. These views offer a different perspective from what you see while surrounded by the garden’s natural trees and plants.

For example, from the Arashikei Observation Deck, you can overlook Arashiyama, Mount Hiei, and the Hozu River Gorge. The highest point in the garden is the City Viewpoint, which features a plaque inscribed with “Moonlight.” The view through this plaque offers a different charm compared to that from the Arashikei Observation Deck.

The tea house within Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is one of the must-visit spots when touring the garden. Admission to the garden includes a ticket for the tea house, where you can enjoy freshly prepared matcha, not pre-made but whisked to order, with a frothy top.

From the tea house, you can enjoy various views. Through the back window, you can see a bamboo grove, and if you visit in autumn, you can admire the colorful foliage from the front entrance. You can choose to enjoy your matcha inside the tea house or at the outdoor seating area. Whether you sip your matcha while gazing at the view from inside the tea house or while surrounded by trees outside, you can enjoy a different experience from the garden stroll.

There is no set time to visit the tea house. You can choose to enjoy your matcha before starting your stroll or take a break at the tea house after exploring the garden.

There are several ways to access Ōkōchi Sanso Garden. Knowing the access routes in advance can help you plan your visit and itinerary effectively.

Here are the access details, operating hours, admission fees, and other information for Ōkōchi Sanso Garden:

京都「嵐山駅」には、京都の伝統的な着物の染色技法「京友禅」を用いた色とりどりの布地を入れたポールが立ち並ぶ「キモノフォレスト」と呼ばれる空間があります。毎夜、京友禅の絵柄が暗闇に浮かび上がり、雅びな明かりの「林」を楽しめます。https://t.co/h42ePqB8yV pic.twitter.com/AgU9kDcRpF

— 政府広報オンライン (@gov_online) August 12, 2022

There are also several recommended tourist spots around Ōkōchi Sanso Garden. If you have extra time in your schedule or are looking for additional places to visit besides the garden, consider the following locations.

Here are three tourist spots near Ōkōchi Sanso Garden:

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist destinations, alongside Fushimi Inari Shrine. Visitors can stroll along a pathway that stretches about 500 meters through the bamboo forest.

Walking through the towering bamboo stalks offers an otherworldly experience, a departure from the ordinary. Unlike typical forests, the bamboo grove immerses visitors in a unique and serene environment, embodying the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a favored photography spot, popular not only with tourists but also with amateur photographers. It attracts significant attention both domestically and internationally, making it a must-visit location in Kyoto.

Tenryu-ji is one of Kyoto’s most prominent temples. Established in 1339 by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji, it has a history marked by eight major fires. Each time, it was rebuilt, and it still stands today as a testament to its resilience.

One of the highlights of Tenryu-ji is the “Sogen Pond Garden.” This garden features tall pine trees and a large pond, with natural stone bridges and rocks that evoke floating islands. The garden’s landscape is spectacular, incorporating the scenic Arashiyama mountains as a backdrop. In autumn, the garden is particularly beautiful with vibrant fall foliage.

Kimono Forest is a tourist attraction located at Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railroad Arashiyama Line.It features approximately 2-meter-tall acrylic poles wrapped in traditional kimono fabric, standing both within the station and along the tracks.

There are about 600 poles, each embedded with LED lights that illuminate the kimono fabric from the evening onward. This allows visitors to enjoy the colorful kimono patterns not only during the day but also after sunset.

There are a total of 32 different kimono patterns. Walking through the rows of poles feels like strolling through an art exhibit, offering a unique and visually stunning experience.

Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is renowned for its numerous attractions scattered throughout its expansive grounds. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, with cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, and winter pines being particularly noteworthy.

The garden also features impressive structures such as Daijokaku, Chumon, and Tekisui-an. The views from the Arashikei Observation Deck and the City Viewpoint are spectacular, offering new discoveries with every visit. In the tea house, you can savor matcha while enjoying a peaceful moment.

Additionally, the area around Ōkōchi Sanso Garden is rich with tourist spots like the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, and the Kimono Forest. Be sure to check the access information and explore this hidden gem in Kyoto.

*This article is based on information available as of May 2024.