On our way to Shugakuin Imperial Villa

Giant Torii Gate outside the National Museum of Art along our one hour bus ride to Shugakuin on the outskirts of Kyoto.

Walking up the hill from the bus stop to Shugakuin in the Northeast Hills of Kyoto

Newer subdivision on our way. It could have been Califonia or any city suburb, except for scale and some architectural features. All this has been built since I was last here 14 years ago.

The Japanese Shinto faith much like Native American traditions, recognizes the spirits of the natural world, hence a roadside shrine to this rock, in the midst of the newly built subdivision.

Many of the houses closer to the Imperial Villa Grounds were mansions by Japanese standards and have beautifully landscaped gardens behind the high walls.

Taking a closer look through the gate

We arrived at the entrance to Shugakuin a little early so we wandered a bit around the neighborhood peeking into more backyard gardens through the gates.

There were real treasures to be found there.

One of the treasures was this small monastery with it's open gate and garden within. In the second level of the gate was a gong which I presume is rung for calling people to services and as a wonderful doorbell!

This is the garden we found inside.