London’s Kyoto Garden: Visiting a Hidden Gem in Holland Park

A local’s visit to the Japanese Kyoto Garden in Holland Park – one of the quietest places in London, minutes from Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market!

Whether you visit London in autumn or spring, you’ll love to see the Japanese-style Kyoto Garden in Holland Park if soothing, quiet, beautiful places are your jam.

Only seconds away from the Dutch Garden, another must-see in Holland Park, Kyoto Garden has long lost its ‘hidden gem’ status – the only time you’ll really see it empty is when the gates open.

A koi pond, a magnificent waterfall, peacocks, manicured lawns and cherry blossom in the spring – also known as the Fukushima Garden, this cute little place certainly makes for a relaxing moment.

London’s Kyoto Garden: Visiting a Hidden Gem in Holland Park

Kyoto Garden in Holland Park was created in the 1990s as part of a restoration project for the park, marrying stone lanterns, waterfalls, and ponds with immaculate flora and lively wildlife.

There are a few really beautiful Japanese gardens in London, and this one is traditional, putting the emphasis on nature, harmony and beauty.

If you’d like to see London in bloom, this is one of the must-visit places for cherry blossom; the season is short, so don’t miss out on the blossoming before all flowers fall to the ground.

During the fall, you’ll also be able to spot colorful maple trees; but also evergreens and bamboo – each season brings a different mood to Kyoto Garden.

Central to the garden’s design is a waterfall flowing into a koi pond, clear enough that you can see koi fish swimming around lazily.

It only takes about 5/10 minutes to walk around this secret garden; you’ll take longer if you want to snap photos without people in the background.

London’s Kyoto Garden (Fukushima Garden) Entrance

London’s Kyoto Garden Photo Gallery – Holland Park

London’s Kyoto Garden: Visiting a Hidden Gem in Holland Park

Kyoto Garden is one of my favorite small London gardens; it’s just wonderful to see all the colors contrasting differently according to each season.

There are many more secret spots of the like scattered throughout the city, like the Reflection Garden near St Paul’s or St Pancras Church Gardens in the City of London.

This one in Holland Park, though, is one of the quietest places to write, read or reflect when the garden’s inhabitants are still waking up.

Should you want to find other secret natural spots in London, here are a few beautiful gardens you might want to discover:

• Postman’s Park and Memorial, City of London
• St Pancras New Church and Caryatids, Euston Road
• Mark Street Gardens, Shoreditch
• Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Canary Wharf
• St Dunstan in the East, City of London