Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Kyoto Botanical Gardens are located north of the city.

There are thousands of plants and many different areas to discover within these gardens which are one of the oldest in Japan. Founded in 1924 and displaying 12,000 plant species from Japan and other countries, you can wander through garden areas of Roses, Bamboo, Hydrangeas, Japanese Iris, Lotus and European style plants.

Japanese favourites of Sakura and Ume trees, (Cherries and Plums) Bonsai and plants from the Kyoto region are also features.

Hydrangea Garden

The Hydrangea garden sits beside a pond with Lotus which is spectacular. They were flowering when we were there in Summer.

Boardwalks cross the pond so you can walk into the middle of the Lotus and see them up close. Their large, almost leathery looking light green leaves are a stunning contrast to the perfectly shaped, soft pink flowers.

And beyond the pond, tall trees and Hydrangeas make a lush and cool backdrop.

Insects also love it here. Large dragonflies dart across the pond, landing on one plant and then another. They stay very still and un-noticed until light reflected from their wings lets you know you have missed them again.

This is a garden lover and photographers oasis.

Photo above: Many of the visitors were photographers waiting patiently for the perfect shot.

Photo left: Dragonflies hover momentarily in the pond beside the Hydrangea garden before quickly flying to the next vantage point.

Bamboo Garden

This section has different varieties of bamboo planted in individual plots. After seeing them in gardens we had visited and growing in forests and on hillsides, it was interesting to see so many varieties up close.

Bamboo seems to be a part of Japanese culture where it is not only of horticultural value but used in building construction, water features, food, clothing and utensils.

As we wandered through the beds of bamboo a gentleman beckoned us over. He was taking photos of something at ground level and wanted to show us.

It was a type of fungi or mushroom. He was eager to share the discovery of this apparently rare plant which is only seen during one month of the year. (Or that is what we think he told us.)

European Style Garden

Surrounded by shaped conifers, the European style garden was a blaze of colours, almost gaudy. This was a complete contrast to Japanese gardens which use shape and texture to create the atmosphere with a predominance of varying greens and selective use of colour.

The formal layout includes a fountain in the centre of annual and perennial beds, a sunken garden with pond, and a rose garden. There was also a stunning compass rose with sun and moon, penguin and polar bear to point directions.

The Conservatory

The Conservatory is a stunning building, designed to represent nearby mountains. From the entrance the path leads you through 7 sections covering different plant environments ranging from Tropical to Alpine and night garden plants.

The range of plants is staggering, from exquisitely beautiful to bizarre.

Medinilla magnifica is an epiphytic plant from the Philippines. Commonly called Rose grape or Chandelier Tree.

Kissing Lips Flower, Psychotria elata, was featured on our visit. A tropical rainforest tree from Central and South America.

Nakaragi-no-mori Pond

This pond area is surrounded by trees native to the Yamashiro Basin, the valley in the Tamba Highlands where Kyoto is located. Several paths take you around the pond under the trees. In summer it is cool and shady with dappled sunlight changing the colours of the mosses, leaves and water.

The Lotus Pond is also here and had a different range of flowers from those at the Hydrangea garden.

We were lucky to see a bride and groom from a distance, here for photos after their wedding. In exquisitely coloured traditional wedding clothes, the couple contrasted and complemented the serene greenery of the lakeside garden.

Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Other areas within Kyoto Botanical Gardens include a Peony Garden, Camellias and Azaleas and raised vegetable gardens.

With so many different garden areas, something will always be at its peak whatever time of year you visit. Expect to spend half a day or more exploring and enjoying these extensive gardens, free from the crowds encountered at some of the temple gardens.