This garden has ducks! (Photo: Larry Knipfing)

Shinsen-en Garden and Pond, Kyoto

Close your eyes and imagine what once was...

Larry Knipfing   - 1 min read

In 794, Emperor Kanmu established his government in Kyoto, and built a massive garden for himself. It was the first of its kind in Japan, and was of course beautiful and special. The current garden, Shinsen-en, is just a remnant of what it once was, but there are still little touches of brilliance: A large pond with carp, a red bridge over the pond, a small temple and a small shrine, statues - all packed into this one fairly compact space. It is just down the road from Nijo Castle, so if you are in the area, be sure to visit both!

Larry Knipfing

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...