Overview: From the late 1800's to the early 1900's, dominant political and business figures owned villas in neighborhoods at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains. Many of their gardens were built by the pioneer of the modern Japanese garden, Ogawa Jihei VII. While Kyoto's cityscape was transforming after the fall of feudalism, Jihei designed spaces of comfort in a desire to return Kyoto to its glory days of scenic beauty. Discover natural spaces of calculated beauty that offer solace during the pandemic.