Shinsen-en is a garden with a Buddhist temple located in the center of Kyoto, Japan. It is the last surviving remnant of the original Heian Palace and is the oldest existing garden in Kyoto. The garden features a pond and a small island reached by a stone bridge and a curving vermillion bridge. The island contains a shrine to the Dragon Queen, who was believed to inhabit the waters of the pond. The main hall of the sub-temple, Shinsen-den, contains an image of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), who is associated with the place. Shinsen-en was once a pleasure garden for the Heian nobility, where they held moon-viewing and boating parties on the lake. Today, it is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, offering a glimpse into Kyoto's rich history and culture
Plan your family visit to the Shinsen-en Garden with these blog insights 👇

Activities: Right next to Nijo-jo is the Shinsen-en, a Shinto shrine with a beautiful garden and a traditional red bridge. "The children spent a long time feeding the carp."
Highlights: The kids had a blast feeding the huge carp! They even had a dispenser for fish treats. The red bridge looked great and was very photogenic ✨