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Temples & Shrines

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Shugakuin is an imperial villa or detached palace designed as an imperial retreat. The palace has 3 gardens that have beautifully landscaped ponds and pathways.

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Located in the northeastern foothills of Mount Hiei, Shugakuin was ordered to be constructed by the seventeenth century ruler Emperor Gomizuno in 1655. By 1659, the Upper Villa and the Lower Villa were almost completed. The Middle Villa was not yet close to being completed at that time. Over the following years, a part of the villa was constructed especially for his daughter "Princess Ake". This house was later converted into a temple, called Rinkyu-ji, where the princess had become a nun to pray for the soul of her father. The Upper Villa's pond water flows from the dams of mountain streams. Another source of water flows in from the Otowa River and is also the same water that makes the waterfall. Around the main pond, referred to as "the Dragon's Bathing Pond," there are paths that run through the garden like of the Katsura Villa. In comparison with the artificial design of Katsura, the Upper Shugakuin Villa's is naturalistic and gentle so does not show off its man-made features.