Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is situated in Kamigyō Ward in the heart of Kyoto. Established during the Heian period, it endured multiple fires and conflicts after a fire in the year 60. The present structure was rebuilt in the 11th year of the Bunmei era (1479 AD) following the Ōnin War. During the Azuchi–Momoyama period, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu undertook renovations and additions in 1568, 1585, and 1606 respectively. In 1640, the garden was designed under the direction of the landscape architect Kobori Enshū.

Covering a total area of 912,000 square meters, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is enclosed by stone walls on the outside and surfaced with white sand within. The palace gardens lie within the Inner Palace (Dairi), the residential and administrative hub for the Emperor and his family, situated slightly north of the central grounds and enclosed by earthen walls. It is accessed via the East Construction Spring Gate (建春門) to the east, the South Construction Rite Gate (建禮門) to the south, the North New Year’s Gate (朔平門) to the north, and the Empress Gate (皇后門), Purification Gate (清所門), and Autumn Suitability Gate (宜秋門) to the west. The Inner Palace mainly consists of buildings, the most significant of which is the Shishinden (紫宸殿) area — the site for imperial enthronement ceremonies and receiving congratulations. Additionally, the area known as the Empress’s Regular Audience Hall (皇后御常御殿区) served as the residence and office of the Empress. There are also two other areas used for the Emperor’s daily administrative duties and for holding ceremonies related to the enthronement of the Crown Prince. The palace gardens include several sections: the Imperial Pond Garden (御池庭), the Inner Palace Garden (御内庭), the Shishinden South Garden (紫宸殿南庭), the Seiryōden East Garden (清凉殿東庭), the Kameido (壺), and the Fujitsubo (藤壺), among others. Among these, the Imperial Pond Garden is the largest, followed by the Inner Palace Garden. In a narrow sense, the Kyoto Imperial Palace refers specifically to these two gardens: the former exudes a masculine energy, while the latter embodies a feminine grace. The former is characterized by a large pond and massive rocks, while the latter features meandering streams and small bridges.

The Imperial Pond Garden spans 8,000 square meters, centered around a large pond arranged in the classic “one pond, three islands” style representing the Isles of the Immortals. The central island is called Horai Island (蓬莱島) and is designed in the shape of a turtle island, featuring Turtle Head Stone (亀頭石), Turtle Tail Stone (亀尾石), and Turtle Foot Stones (亀足石), with pine trees planted on the back symbolizing longevity. Stone lanterns are also placed here. The two smaller islands to the north and south are larger than the central one; the southern island is connected to the main land by a zelkova bridge and a small bridge plank, while the northern island is linked by two stone bridges. There is a waterfall on the eastern and northern sides of the pond, with the northern waterfall connecting to the water system of the Inner Palace Garden. The western side of the pond is paved with pebbles in the style of a shirasu (洲浜, beach-like shoreline), and most interestingly, granite slabs are arranged as stepping stones extending over the water, with flat stones laid across to form a pier. This indicates that the garden was primarily designed for boating.

To the west of the Imperial Pond Garden lie the Small Palace (小御所) and the Imperial Study Hall (御學問所). The Imperial Study Hall was where the Emperor studied and hosted tea ceremonies, poetry gatherings, calligraphy meetings, and receptions for princes. Its interior walls feature large murals of China’s Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower. This highlights the garden’s characteristic as a shoin-style (study-inspired) garden. The Small Palace and the Imperial Study Hall are arranged in a north-south parallel formation, facing east toward the pond. The space in front of the pond is covered with white sand, historically used for kemari (a traditional football game), hence it is also called the Kemari Court (蹴鞠庭).

The Inner Palace Garden lies to the north of the Imperial Pond Garden, covering an area of 6,900 square meters, with a meandering stream running north to south through the entire garden. The northern section is called the Snail Garden (蝸牛庭), the mid-northern part is also referred to as the Snail Garden, and the central-northern area is called the Dragon Spring Garden (龍泉庭). The stream either opens into ponds dotted with small islands or narrows into winding flows. In the southeast stands a raised platform called the Brocade Platform (錦台); the central area features the Spring Fountain Hall (泉殿); and the northern area includes the Snow-Listening Pavilion (聽雪). The Spring Fountain Hall, also called the Earthquake Hall, has circular lattice windows designed to frame the view of the springs and rocks in front. A small, delicate figure-eight bridge spans the winding stream.

The Dragon Spring Garden is the most exquisite, with the pond surface alternating between open and enclosed spaces. The pond is divided into two sections that merge and separate repeatedly. Structures such as the Cooling Chamber (涼所), Corridor Bridge (渡廊), Welcoming Spring (迎春), and Snow-Listening Pavilion are thoughtfully arranged throughout the garden. The Welcoming Spring was where Emperor Kōmei studied; it features a cypress-bark roof and large windows to facilitate summer ventilation. Within the pond, three sides of the central island are connected to the land by stone slabs, and there is a massive bluestone bridge with a dragon-head washbasin on each side and a roofed stone lantern.

The Snail Garden is located furthest north, devoid of water. It is composed of moss, white sand, trees, and stacked stones. It is called the Snail Garden because the rock arrangements are formed in the shape of a snail.

The courtyard south of the Shishinden is entirely paved with white sand, forming a stone garden. Two plants are symmetrically planted in front of the building: cherry blossoms to the east and oranges to the west — the former bursting into spring blooms, the latter bearing abundant autumn fruit. To the northwest of the Shishinden stands the Seiryōden (清凉殿), a remnant from the Heian period, frequently mentioned in the classic Heian literary work The Pillow Book (枕草子). The hall faces west and is positioned with the Seiryōden to the west, the Shishinden to the south, and corridors on the east and north sides. The courtyard is covered with white sand, and two bamboo plants stand in front of the building — one called Wu Bamboo (吳竹), the other Han Bamboo (漢竹). To the west of the Seiryōden lies the Hagi-no-Tsubo (萩壺), named for the hagi (bush clover) planted in its garden. The Fujitsubo (藤壺) is located in front of the Flying Fragrance Chamber (飛香舍), with an ancient wisteria plant in its garden. This area was once the administrative office of the Empress during the Heian period and was the frequent venue for selecting court ladies; it is also frequently referenced in The Tale of Genji (源氏物語). Thus, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is a restorative reconstruction built on the site of Heian-era ruins, and the Fujitsubo is also a relic from that time.