Okochi Sanso Garden is an absolute hidden gem and the perfect place to visit after exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. While the bamboo forest is awe-inspiring, this garden offers a peaceful retreat where you can slow down, relax, and truly immerse yourself in nature.
Every corner of the garden is beautifully maintained, from the meticulously landscaped paths and traditional Japanese architecture to the tranquil tea house and moss-covered stone lanterns. The complimentary matcha tea and snack were a wonderful touch, providing a refreshing break before continuing our journey.
The highlight for us was reaching the panoramic viewpoints overlooking Kyoto. The sweeping views of the city, surrounding mountains, and endless greenery were simply breathtaking. Standing there in the quiet, surrounded by nature, felt incredibly peaceful and almost spiritual. One sign read, “I hope you can meet Buddha here today,” and after spending time in these gardens, we truly understood its meaning.
If you’re visiting the Bamboo Grove, don’t stop there—continue on to Okochi Sanso Garden. It’s well worth the admission fee and transforms a beautiful morning into an unforgettable experience. This was one of the most serene and memorable places we visited in all of Kyoto. Highly recommended
(Trip was made back then on 21 Nov 2022)
Our visit to Okochi Sanso Garden couldn’t have been better timed. Almost every maple seemed to have received the memo to dress up in its finest autumn colours, with shades of crimson, fiery red and orange scattered throughout this beautiful Japanese-style garden.
And after battling the crowds at the nearby Bamboo Forest, stepping into Okochi Sanso Garden felt almost like entering another world.
There were still a healthy number of visitors, but thankfully, never to the point where it felt overcrowded. The garden is surprisingly expansive, with numerous trails winding through the grounds, making it easy to wander at your own pace and find little pockets of tranquillity where you could enjoy the scenery with a sense of relative seclusion.
Maybe the slightly higher admission fee had something to do with it. Perhaps a few hundred yen is enough to convince some people to leave the autumn paradise to the rest of us.
And what an autumn paradise it was.
Just when you think you’ve seen the best of the garden, another beautiful scene appears around the next corner. There are also two observation decks offering completely different perspectives. One looks out towards Arashiyama, with Daihikaku Senkoji Temple nestled peacefully on the mountainside, along with the Hozu Gorge in the distance. The other offers a sweeping view towards the city.
Needless to say, the camera was working overtime that day.
The admission fee is admittedly a little steeper than some of the other gardens in Kyoto, but honestly, it was worth every penny. Especially when you realise that it also comes with a bowl of Japanese matcha and traditional sweets.
And this is where our visit ended on a particularly perfect note.
Sitting at the tea house, surrounded by crimson maple trees, with a warm bowl of matcha in hand and autumn colours glowing all around us… there was something incredibly comforting about the whole moment. After spending the hafternoon wandering through the garden, it felt like the perfect place to simply stop, breathe and take it all in.
At that point, the admission fee no longer felt expensive. In fact, I was beginning to wonder if they had accidentally undercharged us.
Okochi Sanso Garden was easily one of the highlights of our Arashiyama visit. Beautiful scenery, peaceful trails, spectacular viewpoints and matcha beneath the autumn foliage. What’s not to love?
Some experiences are worth paying a little extra for, and this is one garden I’d happily pay to wander through again.
Beautiful garden and definitely worth a visit. A peaceful place to disconnect, slow down and reflect while walking through the grounds. The views are absolutely stunning and make the experience even more special. A perfect escape from the crowds of Arashiyama.
Tucked away in Arashiyama, this garden is a hidden gem located just off the beaten path from the crowds at the bamboo forest, accessible within a short walk. Originally a private villa belonging to silent film actor Denjirō Ōkōchi, it was designed and constructed in the 1930s and opened to the public posthumously in 1962.
The garden is meticulously maintained and elegantly designed, offering a stunning visual experience throughout all four seasons. Situated atop a hill, it can be accessed by following the garden pathway, which rewards visitors with a breathtaking panoramic view of Arashiyama.
The garden ticket includes tea and sweets, which visitors enjoy at a tea house that dates back to the Meiji era and has been relocated to the garden.
Without it the trip to bamboo forest would’ve been a letdown. Definitely a must see when you are in the area. The place is very well kept and beautiful. Right when you enter you can stop at the tea house for a cup of green tea or matcha (they have drinks dispensers but the tea is really good) or you can circle back and stop at the end of the tour. Ticket price is 1000 yen. The bamboo forest was very crowded but this place wasn’t crowded at all. It was very peaceful.
