Okochi-Sanso

What was once the estate of the celebrated movie actor Okochi Denjiro, Okochi-Sanso is a villa that could easily rival all of the Imperial palaces in Kyoto. It took the silent film star some thirty years to complete the creation of the building and the result is absolutely fantastic. Considering how it is open to the public along with its divine gardens, this beautiful villa has morphed into one of the most important sights in the city. Yet another example of the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, the house is a splendid embodiment of traditional Japanese architecture. However, the biggest magnet for tourists are gardens with their dedicated Shinto shrine. With spectacular views of the city of Kyoto along with the flowing Hozu River, these lush lawns look like they have emerged straight out of a picture postcard. Seasonal cherry blossoms and pine trees only magnify the beauty of this property that roughly covers 20,000 sq m. An open-air museum that throws light upon the career of Denjiro and an observation platform are also present for travellers to explore.
You would be expected to pay 1000 Yen for admission into the premises and while that sounds a tad bit exorbitant, it totally is worth the money. The fee includes a cup of Matcha Green Tea and an authentic Japanese dessert in the teahouse that is a part of the complex.