Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace is now primarily a strolling garden, with ponds, bridges, and tea houses preserving the memory of a residence for retired emperors. The surviving landscape has outlasted most of the palace buildings.
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Only a small number of buildings remain, so the gardens carry much of the Sento Palace’s story. The residence was established at this site in 1630 for retired Emperor Gomizuno-o. Over time, later retired emperors lived here as well. Fires repeatedly destroyed palace structures, and after the major fire of 1854 many were not rebuilt.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- The Sento Palace was established at this site in 1630.
- Many palace buildings were not rebuilt after the 1854 fire.
- The gardens of the Sento and Omiya palaces are now connected.
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