Katsura

It is one of three Imperial villas, the others being Sento Gosho and Shugarkuin. You must have to obtain permission in advance from the kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency. Originally known as Katsura, Sanso, this was the estate of Prince Toshihito 1579-1629, brother of Emperor Goyozei 1578-1617 and member of the Hachijono miya family. His son, Toshitada added the villa buildings and made some changes to the Garden. The final piece, Miyukiden was added 1658 when Emperor Gomizuno 1596-1680 visited. The prototypical stroll garden was actually conceived as a very large roji based on the tea garden style of the time and shows the characteristic flagstone and stepping stone paths, stone lantern and tsukubai stone wash basin. The excellent services of articles by JGC corporation on the design engineering of Katsura which analyses of techniques overall design and path engineering.