Visit to our local (about 100 yards away) garden (Shosei-en Garden)

The short-stay apartment we are staying at has a killer location! We are very close to Kyoto station, and two beautiful temples/gardens. When you walk by the outside of most temples it can be really misleading. They are very plain with white washed walls and dark wooden doors. Little did we know what we were living next to. We walk past this garden on a pretty regular basis, but never thought to go in. The other day on our way to run some errands, we thought, "what the heck might as well go in." We were so glad we did!

Here is a map of what turned out to be a temple-compound.

Some of the grounds (the large green patch at the top left) are not accessible to the public and appeared to be sort of un-used and over grown.

Here are a few pictures from the garden

Koi in the pond, left of the bridge

Really peaceful pool next to buildings 1 and 2 on the map

Check out that blue sky! 

Kyoto Tower hotel (space needle looking building) seen from across the pond

Giant lily pad flower. It was at least 1.5 feet in diameter .

Overall a super peaceful garden and shrine. At $5 USD (500yen) donation/entrance fee, it's well worth the walk up from Kyoto station