Garden · Arashiyama
Okochi Sanso Garden 大河内山荘庭園
The hillside villa garden of silent-film star Okochi Denjiro at the top of the Arashiyama bamboo grove, with views over Kyoto and Hozukyo gorge and matcha included.
Elementary and junior high: ¥500
About
Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) was one of Japan's great jidaigeki stars, best known as the one-eyed, one-armed swordsman Tange Sazen. He spent 30 years and most of his earnings building this villa and garden on the slopes of Mt. Ogura, right where the bamboo grove ends. Paths wind through moss, maples and pines past the Daijokaku main house, a Jibutsu-do hall and a teahouse, to viewpoints over the city to Mt. Hiei on one side and over the Hozu river gorge on the other. Admission includes matcha and a sweet at the teahouse. It is a rare quiet refuge in Arashiyama, steps from the busiest path.
Highlights
- Viewpoint over Kyoto with Mt. Hiei
- View down into the Hozukyo gorge
- Matcha and a sweet included
- Moss and maple paths
- Villa buildings of a film star
Tips
- Do the bamboo grove at dawn, then come here when it opens at 9:00.
- Keep your ticket for the tea.
- Late November is spectacular; it is never as packed as Tenryu-ji.
- Allow an hour for the full loop.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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