This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: Kyoto Gyoen, le parc du Palais impérial
As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.
Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.
After being amazed at Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji, I take the bus back to the center of Kyoto. I had not really paid attention to the line I had taken, I had simply noticed that there were several stops in the center; as the bus arrived I took it. Looking more closely at the route, I notice that it stops next to Kyoto Gyoen. It is a large park located north of the city and which also houses the imperial palace. Here we go for a new visit.
Kyoto Gyoen is a bit like the Central Park of the former imperial capital. A place where stroll the Kyotoïtes, on foot or by bike, on the large paths. Large walls delimit the imperial palace. I realize then the size of this palace. Huge! It is possible to visit it but the procedure is a bit complex. You have to go to the imperial agency to book, and places are limited. The gardens are free access though: just take a visitor badge at the entrance (after a small search of luggage).
Right next to the entrance, is a very large pine, perfectly carved, as an invitation to discover the rest.
The visit starts with a series of buildings. It's beautiful, but compared to the wonders I had seen before, it was still a little "common". But the best was yet to come and we must not stay on this first impression. Because the gardens are discovered little by little. Some parts are not accessible but there is really something to feast on. Especially since the entrance to the park is free, and it would be a shame to miss that.
One of the great things about Japanese gardens is that they are all different. One would think that when you saw two or three, you have seen them all. Yet everyone has its particularities, a special atmosphere. I had already visited several parks and gardens in Tokyo and Kyoto, and this one was really a very nice surprise.
In this park, there is everything you can expect from a Japanese garden. Perfectly pruned trees, including pines, small lakes and streams, bridges, lanterns, rocks. What makes the magic of this place is certainly what the Japanese call wabi-sabi. It is about this alchemy between simple, clean things, with traces of time passing. For example, these old bridges covered with moss, these pine trees that look like centenarians. We are immersed in a particular atmosphere, I like to imagine that I am in the footsteps of the ancient emperors.
The park is rather large, and although there are sometimes many people there is a beautiful atmosphere. You can spend a few minutes contemplating these rocks and trees, carefully arranged and maintained, for a moment of tranquility.
At the exit of Kyoto Gyoen, I said "Wow". How lucky to be here. The photos do not transmit the atmosphere of this park, which I invite you to discover if you spend a few days in Kyoto.
But I realize that I am tired and hungry. It is 3 PM, I have been up since 7 AM, I have walked a lot and eaten nothing. It is time for me to take some rest and enjoy the culinary assets of Japan, and I will share all of this in a future article.
-- @japon
01: Travel diary in Japan, by @japon
02: Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon
03: Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon
04: Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon
05: Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon
06: Asakusa, diving in the heart of Tokyo's historic district, by @japon
07: Ameyoko, Ueno's colorful market, by @japon
08: Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, by @japon
09: Climb the steps of Atago Jinja Shrine in Tokyo, by @japon
10: Hama Rikyu, an exceptional park in the heart of Tokyo, by @japon
11: Jimbocho, old books and tempura, by @japon
12: Shinjuku Gyoen Park and the best burger in the world!, by @japon
13: One night in Shibuya, by @japon
14: Takeshita dori : this little street dedicated to fashion (and good crepes), by @japon
15: They lie to you about Kyoto, by @japon
16: The temples and secret garden of Higashi in Kyoto, by @japon
17: Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon
18: Ryoan-ji, the amazing stone garden in Kyoto, by @japon
19: The Ninna-ji Temple and its extraordinary gardens, by @japon