Kyoto Botanical Gardens — Attraction in Kyoto

Kyoto Botanical Garden is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places you can visit in Kyoto. Conveniently located near Kitayama Station, it’s easily accessible by public transport. Spanning over 24 hectares, the garden offers an impressive collection of plants, both native to Japan and from around the world.

One of the highlights is the large conservatory, which houses a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants. Walking inside feels like stepping into a lush, green paradise — a stark contrast to the cooler outdoor air, especially in spring. It's a must-visit for plant lovers or anyone who appreciates nature's beauty and diversity.

The entire garden is very well maintained. The walking paths are clean and easy to follow, and there are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. During spring, cherry blossoms bloom throughout the park, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere. In autumn, the changing colors of the leaves paint the landscape in stunning shades of orange and red — perfect for photography.

The entrance fee is very affordable, and since it's not as crowded as Kyoto’s more famous tourist spots, it offers a peaceful escape from the busy city. Families with children will also appreciate the open spaces and playground area.

Overall, Kyoto Botanical Garden is a perfect spot to enjoy nature, learn about plant life, or simply unwind. Whether you're a local or a tourist, it’s a hidden gem well worth a visit!

(Late post, but the memory still...

It is one of two larger green areas within Kyoto, without the need for going to suburbs or mountain area of Kyoto, and another is Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is also the oldest botanical garden in Japan, when it was established in 1924.

Compared to New York Botanical Garden in Bronx or Amsterdam Forest or Botanical Garden, Kyoto Botanical Garden is relatively smaller. But it is probably a larger one in Asia, especially for its numerous types of rose collection.

The Garden is also popular for the local bird watchers, especially for the section near main entrance. It is not uncommon to see the bird watching groups in the morning, although they are generally quiet and do not disturb other visitors.

It is accessable easily by taking Kyoto Karasuma (south-north) Subway line to Kitatama Station.

It has special access for to handicapped and blind-assisted steps and two-ring-guided sound for its bathroom to assist the blinds.

Garden Admission is 200 Yen for adult, and Conservatory is 200 Yen additional. Admission is free for children under 15.

The Botanical Garden is suitable for parents to bring their children for the fun of family activities, because it has special rest and dining break areas and sun-shaded benches for the visitors, in addition to the shallow water playground.

Across the main entrance, there are a few restaurants and coffee houses which serve varieties of food, including...

A beautiful in a beautiful Japanese town. Rented a bike near Kyoto Station and rode north seeing a few temples. This was the furthest stop north. It was a bit rainy so the indoor cafe here was very welcome for coffee and soup. So cheap, can't remember how much it cost. Fee bike parking. Large garden grounds including a very large conservatory showcasing different eco-systems and appropriate plants/trees indigenous to Japan as well as other tropic and even desert environments. The real beauty though was in the long pathways (some paved, others, brick, dirt, etc.) through hidden coves and nooks with all kinds of small buildings, lakes, streams, trees. There was also a formal large garden with fountains and atriums. A gift shop ended the walk back to my bike. Secret tip, the river next to this garden runs north-south with a wonderful bike path that will take you all the way back to Kyoto station. If you want to avoid city traffic (can be a little daunting for those not accustomed to bike riding in Japan), you can take this bike path all the way north to the gardens. Frankly, I'd gotten a bit tired of seeing another palace or temple by this time and would have just been thrilled alone to have seen...