Shugakuin Imperial Villa

Shugakuin Imperial Villa: A Palace Transmitting Japanese Aristocratic Culture

Shugakuin Imperial Villa is a vast estate covering 540,000 square meters, located in the northeastern part of Kyoto City. Along with the Katsura Imperial Villa and the Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace, also located within Kyoto, it stands as a tourist attraction that offers a glimpse into the culture of Japan’s Imperial family and nobility.

The design of this villa takes into consideration the surrounding mountains, terraced fields, and farms as vital elements, allowing visitors to experience aristocratic culture amidst Japan’s ancient natural landscape. This is particularly stunning during the late November autumn foliage season.

The villa features three major gardens, and the free tour entails a 3 km walk with a guide, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

On the day of the visit, numbered tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 11:00 AM, allowing a limited number of additional visitors. Please remember to bring your passport.
Please note that the latest information and visitor guidelines can be checked on the official website of the Shugakuin Imperial Villa.

Basic Information

Location	Shugakuin Rikyu in Kyoto City Access： Eizan Railway: 20-minute walk from Shugakuin Station City Bus: 15-minute walk from the Shugakuin Rikyu-michi bus stop
Duration	All year round Tours are available at the following times: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, and 15:00, with a capacity of 20 people for each session. *Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), year-end and New Year holidays, and days when there is a problem with the execution of events, etc.
Tour Details	General admission is free. Guided tours are available. Audio guides in English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish are available
Tour Type	General public viewing
Eligibility for Visit:	Only individuals who are 18 years of age or older are allowed to visit. Please note that persons under the age of 18 are not permitted entry, even if they are accompanied by family members.
Maximum Participants	Groups are limited to a maximum of 4 people.
Reservations	Reservations can be made from 5:00 a.m. on the first day of the month that falls three months prior to the desired date of the visit.Reservation Page：https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/register/month/5201?locale=en
URL	https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/shugakuin.html GETYOURGUIDE: Kyoto: Japanese Gardens Private Customizable Tour