Day 14 - 4 April 2018 - Kyoto: Sento Imperial Palace

Sento Imperial Palace 

During our research, yours truly, a true fan of all things castle, found a way to get free entrance into Sento Imperial Palace. This is how to get there from Kyoto Station: 

- Take Subway from Kyoto Station (Platform 2) to Marutamachi Subway Station (Kawasuma Line) (4 stops) (7 mins)

- Walk from Marutamachi Subway Station to Imperial Palace (14 mins) 

The walk from Marutamachi to Imperial Palace was very far and tiring and even more so when we were rushing for the timing for the palace tour. 

Since we were rushing, and there was no one to ask, we finally stopped the police car for directions to Sento Imperial Palace!

Finally we arrived and still had to wait for the other tourists to arrive. Not many tourists knew of this palace tour facility which can be conducted in English. 

First Stop: Okurumayose 

This is the entrance of the Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace

Otsunegoten

  This is where Empress Dowager Eisho actually lived. The interior was remodeled in a western style to receive His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) of UK on the occasion of his state visit to Japan in 1922. Today, their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess stay in this palace during royal visits. 

Momijibashi

 This is a bridge that spans the canal that connects the North Pond and the South Pond. In autumn, the maple trees are a riot of dazzling autumnal colours.  

Zigzag bridge

Yatsuhashi (zigzag bridge)

 South Pond 

There are 2 islets on the South Pond, offering a clear geometric contrast that results from the differing forms of the monument, bridges, trees, boulders, and teahouse. The bridge, yatsuhashi (zigzag bridge) is covered with a fujidana (wisteria trellis) and it extends from the west shore to the islet. There is a stone bridge connecting the 2 islets and there is an arched bridge leading to the east shore. These different styles of bridges also contribute to the visual contrast. There is a waterfall near the bottom of Momijiyama, or Maple Hillock. 

Seikatei 

This is a teahouse that is located in a north-facing position in the southernmost part of the garden, from which one an enjoy the entire view of the South Pond. The name originates from a poem by well-known Chinese poet Li Bo (701-762)