Millions flock to Kyoto every year to see the city's stunning display of fall foliage but only about two dozen of those travelers can see the beauty of Katsura Rikyu at one time. This property of the Imperial Household Agency requires a special permit to visit (free, obtainable either online via lottery system or in person at the Kyoto Imperial Palace office). The villa and surrounding garden is viewable on a guided tour only but you have plenty of time to see the splendor of autumn when there are no hordes of people competing with you for the best photo spot.This is one of the quietest places in the city to catch the maples at their seasonal best.
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Fall Foliage at Katsura Rikyu
See autumn color without the crowds
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Bradford Pomeroy
9 years ago
Beautiful images. The shot of the Katsura Imperial Villa looks "so much" like the Kakurintei tea house in Saga. I'll probably write something up in January and you'll see. Excellent work as always.
Thank you! I'm looking forward to your upcoming post. I'm always on the hunt for something I haven't yet seen. Saga still has a number of "unknowns" for me and I'll happily add another to the list!
Thank you, Yui! When I was here last November, the morning air was FRIGID but the leaves were so lovely. And as you can only enter with a pass, it felt so empty in the garden.
Yui Yamaguchi
10 years ago
Beautiful photos, Mandy! When I was in high school, we studies the concept beauty of pathos in Japan at literature class and the text book used the garden of Katsura Rikyu. I decided to visit there one day, but it hasn't happened yet!
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