Ōkōchi Sansō Villa & Tea Garden in Kyoto

The tea garden in front of the Tekisuian is a serene spot located just a 15-minute walk from Tenryūji Temple, nestled on the slopes of Mount Ogura, at the end of the famous Arashiyama, Tenryū-ji Bamboo Forest. This hidden gem, Ōkōchi Sanso, was the former home and garden of actor Denjirō Ōkōchi (1898–1962) and was opened to the public after his passing in 1962.

Ōkōchi-san's film career spanned over five decades, from 1926 to 1962. Seeking solace from the hustle and bustle of movie sets, he retreated to this land, where he designed—mostly by himself—a tranquil collection of gardens and buildings throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

Jibutsudō

Narrow pathways, past the vistas and forests, will bring you to a small museum (for Denjirō Ōkōchi and his life in film), as well as the Jibutsudō - an original Meiji Era building. On your short walk, you can experience a most wonderful view of the fall foliage should you be present during the Autumn, and, with assumption, the same must be true for the spring bloom!

Keep your eyes open for a very discreet path. Via this hidden corridor lies a secret building that most visitors miss. Inside, one will find, on one side, yet another perfect zen garden and on the back, a view of the mountains. Lovingly, this room is equipped with tables prepared with paper and ink for visitors to practice calligraphy.

After all, in Kyoto's palaces and temples, one could really feel the personal love that Ōkōchi Sanso put into his own home.

Ōkōchi Sansō Villa & Tea Garden
Tea garden in front of the Tekisuian
(81) 75.872-2233
8-3 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8394, Japan