Hakuryū-en (lit. “garden of the white dragon”) is a large, privately-owned garden in Ninose, in the very north of Kyōto City. The landscape architecture in Hakuryū-en is outstanding in its utilization of both cherry and maple trees in a way that do not interfere with each other. As a result, during both Sakura and Momiji seasons, the same place leaves the visitor with a very different impression: soft pink in spring, lush green in summer, deep red in autumn. Hakuryū-en is a garden one can stroll through, containing several pavilions to sit down and enjoy the landscape. Three (?) gardeners employed by the generous owner take care of the moss and plants, and, sometimes are up for a chat or individual explanations. Furthermore, through a Torii one reaches a small shrine in the forest, behind which an ancient, moss-covered path leads over a bridge towards nearby Kurama. Today, this path is not in use anymore, but the moss, the bridge, and the maple tree behind it make for a picturesque sight, photographed among others by the great William Corey. Admission: special openings in April–June and October–December. (*there was a special winter opening in 2022) Nearby places of interest: Kibune and Kurama.