Katsura, Kyoto
Katsura (桂) is a neighborhood in Nishikyo-ku, in the western part of the city of Kyoto, in Japan. It is also a particularly wealthy area, with most residents owning large, free-standing houses. The center includes an onsen, numerous restaurants and shops, and ubiquitous pachinko parlors. In the residential area, there is also an Izumiya supermarket, one of the few in the Kyoto area.
In addition to Katsura Imperial Villa, there are also many temples and private schools in the area that service the population.
Also in this area is Katsurazaka (桂坂) neighborhood. It has beautiful nature, for example, bamboo forests, cherry blossoms, and mountains. It has some restaurants, for example Aka Oni, which is famous for its jumbo tempura shrimp. It also is the home of a famous scientist, Mujo Kim, whose company Pharma Foods is a worldwide leader in scientific research on healthy foods.
Katsura is accessible from Katsura Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line by train, and by buses offered by, among other organizations, the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau.