[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Okochi Sanso Garden (Updated Feb)

The Okochi-Sanso Villa features beautiful landscaping, fantastic aerial and mountain views, a touch of the contemporary films, and the exceptional life of a Japanese actor. Most of the structures at the Okochi-Sanso Villa were built over a period of 30 years in the early 20th century. Nestled in the ridges on the south side of Mount Ogura, the estate is part of the legacy of the famous actor Denjiro Okochi. He extended significant effort in building the landscapes that reflect his philosophy in nature as part of his Buddhist faith. After he passed away in 1962, his spouse continued to manage the estate, but eventually decided to open it for visits by the public. It remains a private property managed by the family. The Okochi-Sanso Villa in Arashiyama is the former home of Japanese actor Denjiro Okochi. Born Masuo Obe in 1898, Denjiro was born into a family of physicians. He started training at the Shinkokugeki (New National Theater) and studied acting. He was known for the jidaigeki (period drama) genre, which featured sword fights and sword plays. Eventually, Denjiro Okochi became famous in the chanbara (sword-fighting) samurai films. Denjiro Okochi rose to the peak of his acting career in the 1920’s silent films, until he ceased acting in 1961. He passed away the following year. In my opinion, if you have limited time in Arashiyama, there are three sites that are must-see. First is definitely the bamboo grove, then the Tenryu-ji Temple and finally the Okochi Sanso Villa. #japan #arashiyama #okochisansovilla #kyoto #fallphotography, #redfoliage #buddhism #zen

Hey guys, how do you plan a 6-day trip to Japan? Just read this article! Selected routes will take you around Japan easily. It’s full of useful information, so hurry up and collect it! -- 🛤️Route arrangement: Day 1: Arrive at Kansai Airport, Osaka, Japan Depart and arrive at Osaka Kansai Airport and start your trip to Japan! Day 2: Kinkakuji Temple -> Ryoanji Temple -> Nijo Castle -> Kiyomizu Temple -> Sannenzaka Ninnenzaka Visit the golden glory of Kinkakuji Temple, explore the tranquil Zen atmosphere of Ryoanji Temple, feel the historical vicissitudes of Nijo Castle, then go to Kiyomizu Temple to pray for blessings, and stroll through the ancient streets of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka. Day 3: Arashiyama Sagano Sightseeing Train->Tenryuji Temple->Sagano Bamboo Forest Trail->Okochi Sanso->Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine->Nishiki Market Take a sightseeing train through Arashiyama Sagano, visit Tenryuji Temple, walk along the bamboo forest path to experience the beauty of nature, visit Okouchi Mountain Villa, then go to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine to pray, and finally browse the food in Nishiki Market. Day 4: Sanzen-in -> Kifune Shrine Visit the ancient temple of Sanzen-in, and then go to Kibune Shrine to feel the mysterious atmosphere. Day 5: Free day in Kyoto It is recommended to visit Maruyama Park, Philosophical Path, Hanamikoji and Kamogawa River to experience the unique charm of Kyoto. Day 6: Departure from Osaka Kansai Airport After a pleasant trip to Japan, take a Chinese-speaking car to the airport and prepare for your return trip. -- 🧳 Travel preparation: essential items to bring when traveling to Japan 📞 Phone cards and WiFi rental: When you arrive in Japan, the network cannot be disconnected. Prepare phone cards or WiFi in advance for easy contact and check🗺. 🔌 Plug converter: The socket type in Japan is different from that in China. Remember to bring a converter for worry-free charging. 🪪 Documents and visas: Passports and visas are essential, as well as driver’s licenses and relevant insurance documents, making travel more secure. 👔 Clothing preparation: Japan is getting cooler in November, so bring a warm jacket and comfortable shoes to make the trip easier. 🔋 Chargers and power banks: Electronic products never leave your body, and chargers and power banks are great helpers for battery life. 💰 Cash and credit cards: Although electronic payments are becoming more and more convenient, it’s always good to have some cash and credit cards. Following these preparations, your trip to Japan will definitely be smoother and more enjoyable! -- If you like my Japan travel guide, please follow me. More exciting content and practical guides are waiting for you to discover! 🌟

Arashiyama is like a huge treasure trove, with many temples and gardens in the mountains. After crossing the Togetsukyo Bridge, passing through the bamboo forest, and avoiding the Arashiyama small train, the further you go, the fewer tourists there are. Okochi Sanso is the first garden after the bamboo forest, and the entrance is very inconspicuous. ❤Recommended reason: It is said that Okochi Sanso is the former villa of Denjiro Okochi, a movie actor active in the early Showa period of Japan. In 1931, when Mr. Okochi was 34 years old, he began to build this villa to preserve the film aesthetics that the film technology at that time could not achieve for a long time. In the end, he spent more than 30 years and most of his film remuneration before his death to carefully create this Okochi Sanso. 🌟Highlights: As soon as you enter the door, you will feel a strong contrast between the quiet beauty of the manor and the noisy sound of the bamboo path, which makes you involuntarily breathe a sigh of relief: it is finally quiet. ✅Architecture Entering the villa, you first come to Daijokaku. This is a traditional Japanese house that combines the Shoin-zukuri, Shinden-zukuri, and Sukiya-zukuri styles, and is registered as a national tangible cultural property. In addition to Daijokaku, the villa also has a middle gate, a Buddha hall, and a tea room "Tekisui-an" designated as a national tangible cultural property. ✅Garden The garden in the villa is a borrowed landscape garden, borrowing the scenery of Mount Hiei, known as the "Mother Mountain of Japanese Buddhism," and the streets of Kyoto. The garden scenery with Japanese characteristics is rated as one star by the Michelin Green Guide. The red leaves in autumn are also particularly beautiful. Different varieties of maple trees are layered in the strolling garden. ✅Observation deck Along the stepping stones, you can finally walk to the observation deck on the hillside. Here you can overlook the scenery of Arashiyama, the clear stream of Hozugawa, and Kyoto City. On a clear day, you can also see Mount Hiei in the distance. ✅Copying sutras At that time, Denjiro created a place for Zen meditation for himself. Now tourists can copy a sutra in the Zen hall and appreciate the beauty of Zen. 🎫Ticket: JPY 1,000 (Matcha tickets are not provided during the maple leaf season) ⏰Opening hours: 09:00–17:00

🚗🚗🚗Travel route: Day1: Kyoto Granvia Hotel → Kamo River → Kyoto Granvia Hotel Day2: Kyoto Granvia Hotel → Tenryu-ji → Ōkōchi Sansō → Jōjakukō-ji → Arashiyama → Daitoku-ji → Daisen-in → Kōrin-in → Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji → Kyoto Granvia Hotel Day3: Kyoto Granvia Hotel → Miho Museum → Kyoto National Museum → Kiyomizu-dera → Yasaka Shrine → Kyoto Granvia Hotel Day4: Kyoto Granvia Hotel → Kiyomizu-dera → Kyoto Granvia Hotel → Nara Hotel → Wakakusa Mountain → Nara Park → Nara Hotel Day5: Nara Hotel → Persimmon Leaf Sushi Honpo Tanaka (Nara Main Store) → Hōryū-ji → Tōshōdai-ji → Yakushi-ji → Nara Hotel → Osaka Hilton Hotel Day6: Osaka Hilton Hotel → Kobe Sanda Outlets → Osaka Hilton Hotel Day7: Osaka Hilton Hotel → Osaka Castle Tower