🏔️ Nature

Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Kyoto, Japan

About Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Founded in 1924, Japan's oldest public botanical garden sits beside the Kamo River in Kitayama. Around 12,000 plant species grow across its themed gardens, and the conservatory, opened in 1992 and shaped to echo Kinkaku-ji and the Kitayama hills, holds about 4,500 species. Quiet on weekdays and good for a slow solo afternoon away from the temple crowds.

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📍Shimogamo Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

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Why it works for solo travelers

✓ Comfortable to visit on your own.
✓ Budget-friendly ($).

More solo-friendly nature in Kyoto →Kyoto solo travel guide →

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More Nature in Kyoto

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

The famous bamboo path on Kyoto's western edge, running from near Tenryu-ji's north gate towards Okochi Sanso villa. It's only a few hundred metres long and very busy from mid-morning, so go at sunrise, when it's almost empty and you can hear the wind moving through the stalks. Combine it with Tenryu-ji, whose garden has a gate straight onto the grove.

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Philosopher's Path

A stone path of about 2km along a small canal between Ginkaku-ji and the Nanzen-ji area, named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who walked it daily. Hundreds of cherry trees line the water, making it spectacular in early April, but it's lovely in any season. Small temples, cafés and shops sit along the way, so it's easy to take at your own pace alone.

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Maruyama Park

Kyoto's oldest public park, laid out in 1886 directly behind Yasaka Shrine. Its centrepiece is a giant weeping cherry that's lit up at night in blossom season, when the lawns fill with hanami picnics. The rest of the year it's a peaceful green link between Gion, Chion-in and the Higashiyama lanes, with ponds and benches for a quiet break.

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