Another Visit to the Shugakuin Imperial Villa in Northeastern Kyoto

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 220 — map & image datanearby photos
Photo Op
Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮)
Kyoto, Japan

Last month, as Kyoto's fall foliage season was just ramping up, I made my second (or third?) visit to one of the Japanese Emperor's estates in Kyoto, the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮).

The villa can be visited only by reservation, and the online reservation system is generally completely booked for the entire three months ahead that it has available. However, it's substantially easier for foreigners (non-Japanese citizens) to make a reservation in person at the Imperial Household Agency office in Kyoto; Kobe cycling friend Adrian took advantage of that, and kindly included me in his reservation.

I've posted about this place before, in My First Visit To Kyoto’s Shugakuin Imperial Villa, and its followups part one and part two (and a bonus boat).


Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Gathering

Visits are via tours that are tightly controlled, chaperoned by (plain-clothed) Imperial police officers.

a wall and gate, at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮) in Kyoto Japan
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35mm — 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 2500 — map & image datanearby photos
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Narrow Path

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 90mm — 1/400 sec, f/4.5, ISO 280 — map & image datanearby photos
Old (Famous?) Art

The tour was conducted by a man who had just returned to this property after many decades away; he had given tours ~30 years ago when he was younger, but had been transferred to Tokyo in between. He seemed to be quite knowledgeable and very witty, as he often held the group in rapt attention, or had them laughing.

The tour visits many small buildings on the property, and he described their history and special features. I didn't pay too much attention, as I was interested mostly in just taking pretty or interesting photos.


Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 — map & image datanearby photos
I Love This
kind of construction

One never wants raw wood touching the ground, as that invites pests and rot. The design of the stone base allows for the wooden pillar to be replaced if needed, but holds it tight in all dimensions. I just love this.


Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 110mm — 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 — map & image datanearby photos
Tree-lined Path
the line of green trees below center line a path; the green seems to glow

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 160mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 220 — map & image datanearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Tour

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/7.1, ISO 6400 — map & image datanearby photos
Another Building

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 640 — map & image datanearby photos
Between Buildings

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400 — map & image datanearby photos
Leading the Way

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45mm — 1/200 sec, f/10, ISO 280 — map & image datanearby photos
View of Northern Kyoto

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/10, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
Imperial Pond

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/6.3, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45mm — 1/200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Bridge
A lady in kimono among autumn colors, at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮) in Kyoto, Japan
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 6400 — map & image datanearby photos
Photographing the Bridge
from a smaller bridge
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35mm — 1/160 sec, f/8, ISO 180 — map & image datanearby photos
Bridge
from another angle
The golden bird ornament atop the bridge at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮) in Kyoto, Japan
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm — 1/800 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image datanearby photos
Golden Bird With Flower
atop the bridge
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4.5, ISO 110 — map & image datanearby photos
Another Tea House
damaged by a recent supertyphoon
a tea house at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮), Kyoto Japan
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image datanearby photos
Inside the House
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This tea house is seen again as a wigglegram in the next post.


All 3 comments so far, oldest first...

These pictures are lacking in red hats 😉 We’ll have to try to book some visits in the winter for snow…

— comment by Damien on December 9th, 2018 at 11:11pm JST (5 years, 4 months ago) comment permalink

Enjoyed seeing the fall colors, and admire your ability to capture it while being hustled along by the tour.

— comment by Tom in SF on December 10th, 2018 at 2:52am JST (5 years, 4 months ago) comment permalink

Lovely photos and very interesting construction. Such a beautiful place!

— comment by Zlatko on January 29th, 2019 at 2:51am JST (5 years, 2 months ago) comment permalink
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