離宮(りきゅう)

りきゅう
noun
detached palace; imperial villa
1. detached palace; imperial villa
A secondary palace or villa separate from the main imperial residence, used by the emperor or imperial family for retreats or leisure.
桂離宮(かつらりきゅう)を見学(けんがく)した。
I visited Katsura Imperial Villa.
京都(きょうと)にはいくつかの離宮(りきゅう)が残(のこ)っている。
Several detached palaces remain in Kyoto.
修学院離宮(しゅがくいんりきゅう)は江戸時代(えどじだい)に造営(ぞうえい)された皇室(こうしつ)の別荘(べっそう)で、庭園(ていえん)の美(うつく)しさで知(し)られている。
Shugakuin Imperial Villa was constructed in the Edo period as an imperial retreat and is known for the beauty of its gardens.

Composed of 離(り) (separate, detached) + 宮(きゅう) (palace). Historically, these were retreats for the imperial family away from the main palace. Japan's most famous 離宮(りきゅう) are in Kyoto.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 桂離宮(かつらりきゅう): Katsura Imperial Villa (Kyoto)
  • 修学院離宮(しゅがくいんりきゅう): Shugakuin Imperial Villa (Kyoto)
  • 浜離宮(はまりきゅう): Hama Detached Palace (Tokyo)
  • 離宮(りきゅう)を見学(けんがく)する: to visit an imperial villa

CULTURAL NOTE:
Visits to 桂離宮(かつらりきゅう) and 修学院離宮(しゅがくいんりきゅう) in Kyoto require advance reservation through the Imperial Household Agency. They are renowned for their architecture and garden design, considered masterpieces of Japanese aesthetics.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 御所(ごしょ): imperial palace, imperial residence — the main palace
  • 別荘(べっそう): villa, vacation home — for anyone, not just royalty
  • 宮殿(きゅうでん): palace — a more general term for grand residences
general
Added 2026.3.29 2:16
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