Shugakuin Rikyu Imperial Villa

Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kinki or Kansai Region, Japan

The Shugakuin Rikyu was built as a retreat for the retired Emperor Gomizuno-o in 1656. Composed of three sections, the upper, middle and lower detached villas, which are connected by gravel paths lined with pine trees, Shugakuin Rikyu covers a spacious area of approximately 545000 square meters. The borrowed landscape garden in the upper villa, which incorporates the distant mountain range including Mt.Hiei, commands a majestic view of the surrounding area.