Sento Imperial Palace (仙洞御所, Sentō Gosho).

The Sentō Imperial Palace (仙洞御所, Sentō-gosho) 22 acres (89,000 m2)) is a large garden in Kyoto, Japan, formerly the grounds of a palace for retired emperors. It is administered by the Imperial Household Agency and is opened to visitors.

It is a secondary palace complex across from the Kyoto Imperial Palace in Kyoto Imperial Park.

However, we especially want to highlight a good view point in the southern part of the garden. 

At the southern half of the southern pond when you look out from the end of the bridge near the area is the Chinese style stone bridge. 

You can see the Imperial residence stood in the western woods, and from there the successive emperors must have viewed the southern pond. 

Or, from the 'seika-tei' teahouse, at the southern edge of the pond, they must have looked out at the pond spread directly below their eyes.

But, as we view it from the edge of the stone bridge, we find the southern pond a creation of the typically feudalistic Edo period, with its clumsy and allegorical taste. 

Access :

Sento Imperial Palace is located within the Kyoto Imperial Park. It can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 10 minutes by the Karasuma Subway Line. Get off at Marutamachi or Imadegawa Station. Both stations are about a 15 minute walk from the entrance gate of Sento Palace.

Hours and Fees

Free tours of Sento Imperial Palace are held five times per day except on Mondays (or the following day if Monday falls on a national holiday).

Note : The park has just been reopened on May 23rd. 2020.

To book a tour, you need to apply in advance with your passport at the Imperial Household Agency's office in Kyoto Imperial Park (8:40 to 17:00, closed on Mondays, or next day if Monday falls on a national holiday).

Please check the official agency's website below for reservation :

http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html

Photos credit to :

© Wikipedia (1st photo).

© japan-guide (2nd photo).

© japan-guide (3rd photo).