Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto

Japan Winter 2024

Kyoto | Japan

28 Feb 2024 | Wed

Day 09 of 17

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple and Bamboo Forest Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Jōjakkōji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Jōjakkōji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto
Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kyoto
Walk to Nonomiya Shrine
Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk Nagatsuji-dori Street at Arashiyama Village Kyoto
Togetsukyo Bridge Arashiyama Kyoto
Train Back to Hotel

Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto

After a delightful visit to the serene Jōjakkōji Temple, we continued our walking journey in Arashiyama. Our next stop was the enchanting Okochi Sanso Garden, which is conveniently located next to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

Okochi Sanso Garden, once the home of the Japanese period film actor, Denjiro Okochi, is a stunning example of traditional Japanese gardens. The garden spans over a vast 20,000 square meters, filled with beautiful gardens and impressive architecture. It was specifically designed to showcase the beauty of every season, so no matter when you visit, there’s always something beautiful to admire.

Okochi-Sanso-Garden-17 — The Daijōkaku Villa at Okochi Sanso Garden

The garden is dotted with several structures, including the villa’s Japanese house, a few tearooms, and a couple of Shinto shrines. Wandering through the garden, you’ll find twisting paths and tiny cobblestone steps leading you up and around the multi-level garden.

Ōkōchi Sansō (大河内山荘, Ōkōchi Sansō, literally “Okochi Mountain Villa”) is the former home and garden of the Japanese jidaigeki (period film) actor Denjirō Ōkōchi in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa is open to the public for an admission fee and is known for its gardens and views of the Kyoto area. Several of the buildings are recorded as cultural properties by the national government.

Ōkōchi Sansō is on the slopes of Mt. Ogura behind Tenryūji Temple and next to Arashiyama Park and the Sagano bamboo grove in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto.

The grounds of the villa encompass approximately 2 hectares and feature multiple buildings, including a Japanese-style home, tea houses, and shrines, amidst carefully maintained Japanese gardens. They were built up over a period of 30 years by Ōkōchi to function as one of his residences. They were opened to the public after his death in 1962. The main structures were built in the 1930s and 1940s except for the Jibutsudō, which is a Meiji Era building that was moved to this site.

The gardens were designed to show off each of the four seasons. Since the villa is on top of a hill, the city of Kyoto, Mt. Hiei, and the Hozu River gorge are well visible from points on the grounds.

– Okochi Sanso Garden > Wikipedia

Okochi Sanso Garden Teahouse

One of the highlights of the visit is the main teahouse, where you can enjoy a free cup of traditional hot matcha tea with a sweet (included in admission price), all while taking in the stunning views of either the Japanese house and garden or the bamboo trees below.