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Hakusasa Son-so Garden Review

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Hakusasa Son-so Garden

Address: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075/751-0446
Fax: 075/751-0448

Category: Gardens/Arboretums
Location: Higashiyama-ku

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Fodor's Review:

Coming down the hill from Ginkaku-ji, a hundred yards before the street crosses a north-south canal, you can see a small villa, built in 1916, with an impeccable garden. This was the modest home of the late Hashimoto Kansetsu, who studied in the 20th century under the literati painter Seiho Takeuchi. Hashimoto, who often portrayed animals such as monkeys, later influenced the realism of the Shijo school by creating a unique style that combined various Japanese styles and also drew inspiration from Chinese classical literature and scenery. Some of his sketches and his collection of Greek and Persian pottery, calligraphy, and several paintings by Chinese and Japanese literati painters are exhibited. An exquisite stone garden and a teahouse are also open to the public. If you book at least two days in advance by fax (in Japanese), it's possible to experience the full tea ceremony, which starts at ¥2,800 per person for a group reservation of at least five. To get here, take Bus 5 from Kyoto Station to the Ginkaku-ji-michi stop. Walk east on the street along the canal. Just after the street crosses another canal flowing north-south, Hakusa Son-so will be on the right.

Cost: ¥800; with tea and sweets, an extra ¥800
Open: Daily 10-5; last entry at 4:30

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