In the early Edo period, Kyoto’s Takagamine area was the site of Hon'ami Koetsu, a Japanese craftsman and calligrapher. Throughout his lifetime (1558 – 1637) Koetsu’s work established the area as a major base for arts and culture, leading to the creation of an Art Village in Takagamine in 1615. Today, it is the site of Aman Kyoto’s secret gardens, which trace the area’s dynasty and connect guests to nature and the spirit of the historic site. At 32 hectares in size, in the summer it flourishes with Japanese maples, Kitayama cedars and a plethora of blooms, from azaleas and peonies to hydrangeas and irises, waiting to be discovered.