Katsura Imperial Villa

The grounds of this 17th-century imperial villa feature a scenic classical garden with teahouses.

Katsura Imperial Villa is considered the supreme achievement of Japanese architecture and garden design—a 17th-century imperial retreat on the Katsura River whose geometrically perfect buildings and stroll garden influenced every significant modernist architect who visited, from Bruno Taut to Walter Gropius. Advance reservation through the Imperial Household Agency is required; the experience is unlike anything else in Japan.