December 2o23
The Chuman or Middle Gate
While the Bamboo Forest and other attractions of Arashiyama are jam-packed, Okochi Sanso is a serene oasis and a must-visit for a mere $7.00.
Ōkōchi Sansō Villa is the former residence of Japanese film star Ōkōchi Denjirō (1898-1962). A period actor from the film “The Tale of Genji”, he was part of the golden era of Japanese Film. Ōkōchi’s Villa includes a traditional home, tea house, and Buddhist halls amidst a carefully planned and cultivated Japanese-style garden. The villa employs classic architecture despite its rather recent construction.
A glimpse of the house
Jibutsu-dō
A Meiji Era building, the Jibutsu-dō was moved to its current location at Denjirō’s request. During work, it’s said he would come to the Jibutsu-dō to meditate and gather his thoughts, and the rest of the estate was founded gradually outwards from there.
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Tea garden in front of the tekisuian (tea house)
Just one of the many places on the property to glimpse the mountains that surround Kyoto
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When the actor passed away in 1962 at the age of 64, the estate passed to his wife, Taeka, who continued to manage the villa and eventually decided to open the garden to the public. The family continues to maintain the estate.