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9 of the Best Gardens in Tokyo

 
9 of the Best Gardens in Tokyo

A bustling metropolis, Tokyo is renowned worldwide as a city lined with soaring skyscrapers and brimming with the latest trends. Yet even in this vast urban landscape, you’ll find tranquil spaces that let you momentarily escape the city’s hustle and bustle—these are Tokyo’s gardens.

Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, these gardens feature beautiful seasonal scenery and delicate, artful designs that blend harmoniously with nature. Strolling through a well-tended garden, you might feel as though time itself has begun to slow down.

In this article, we introduce nine carefully selected gardens in Tokyo that are especially recommended and popular among international visitors.

Contents

1.What Are Japanese Gardens?

Japanese gardens are traditional landscapes that symbolically represent the beauty of nature. By artfully combining elements such as ponds, miniature hills, stones, and plants, they are designed to let visitors appreciate the changing seasons throughout the year.

While there are various styles of Japanese gardens, a common feature is the inclusion of a central pond, around which small hills are arranged, along with stones and greenery to recreate a scaled-down version of a natural landscape. Beyond simply serving as objects of admiration, Japanese gardens are deeply intertwined with aspects of Japanese culture, such as the tea ceremony and Buddhism.

2.9 of the Best Gardens in Tokyo

There are countless beautiful gardens in Tokyo, where history and nature gracefully intertwine. Naturally, what one considers the “best” garden will differ depending on personal taste and the season in which they visit.

In this article, we’ve selected nine gardens in Tokyo that are beloved by many and look wonderful in photos. They’re also popular destinations for sightseeing and enjoying autumn foliage, so we hope you’ll find this guide helpful.

2-1.Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien

Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien is a precious feudal lord’s garden nestled in central Tokyo’s Chūō Ward. Here, you can escape the city’s bustle and immerse yourself in peaceful tranquility, all while admiring the ever-changing seasonal scenery. Originally created as a separate villa for the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, this garden still preserves numerous historical structures and remnants that speak to its storied past.

A highlight of the garden is the Shioiri-no-ike (tidal pond), which draws seawater directly from Tokyo Bay. As the tide ebbs and flows, the water level changes, allowing visitors to experience the gentle presence of the ocean right in the heart of the city. In addition, Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien boasts two rare duck-hunting grounds, specially designed to attract wild ducks—an uncommon feature that also offers unique opportunities for birdwatching.

2-2.Rikugien

Rikugien is a feudal lord’s garden located in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Created during the Genroku era by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu—who served as a close aide to Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi—Rikugien is known as one of the two great gardens of the Edo period. With a profound appreciation for poetry, Yanagisawa drew the garden’s name from the term “Rikugi,” mentioned in the preface of the ancient Chinese poetry anthology, the Shijing. The result is a space where literary sensibilities and Edo-era culture are beautifully intertwined.

Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy the changing seasonal scenery at Rikugien, from springtime cherry blossoms to azaleas in early summer and vivid autumn foliage.

2-3.Kiyosumi Teien

Kiyosumi Garden is located in Tokyo’s Koto Ward. Its central feature is Oizumi Pond, a symbolic presence within the garden, surrounded by a variety of carefully placed stones.

The garden dates back to the Meiji era, when Iwasaki Yatarō, the founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate, created it as a private retreat for his employees. Over three generations of the Iwasaki family, the garden was lovingly refined, eventually earning recognition as one of the most iconic gardens from the Meiji period. It is also known for having sheltered many citizens from air raids during World War II.

Kiyosumi Garden is only a short walk from Kiyosumi Garden Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line. Despite its central location, you’ll find a calm and serene environment in which to enjoy the garden’s timeless beauty.

2-4.Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen, located in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward and designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, is a feudal lord’s garden that dates back to the early Edo period. It was initially created under the guidance of Tokugawa Yorifusa, the first lord of the Mito branch of the Tokugawa family, and completed by his successor, Tokugawa Mitsukuni. Conveniently situated right next to Tokyo Dome, it offers an unexpected retreat amidst the city’s modern bustle.

As one of the oldest surviving feudal lord’s gardens in Edo (present-day Tokyo), Koishikawa Korakuen incorporates elements of Chinese philosophy and landscape design. This unique blend of cultural influences creates a serene space where visitors can appreciate the timeless beauty and historical depth of Japanese garden tradition.

2-5.Kyu Shiba Rikyu Onshi Teien

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, located in Tokyo’s Minato Ward and designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty, is a feudal lord’s garden that dates back to the early Edo period. Originally created by Okubo Tadatomo, it later passed through several hands before eventually becoming part of the Imperial family’s holdings in the Meiji era, and was ultimately transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Preserving elements of an Edo-period circuit-style pond garden, it offers a glimpse into the culture and way of life of that era.

One of the highlights of Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is its remarkable stonework, featuring stones brought from various regions of Japan.Visitors can stroll around the central pond to enjoy a variety of views from different vantage points.

The garden is about a 10-minute walk from JR Hamamatsucho Station.

2-6. Tonogayato Teien

Tonogayato Garden is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty located in Kokubunji City, Tokyo. Utilizing the natural landscape of the Musashino region, it provides a precious opportunity to immerse yourself in abundant greenery without venturing far from the city center.

Originally established as a private villa for Eguchi Teijō, a former vice president of the South Manchuria Railway, the garden was later purchased by Iwasaki Hikoyata of the Mitsubishi conglomerate and renovated into its present form. In 1974, it came under the ownership of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and was opened to the public.

Tonogayato Garden is just a short, two-minute walk from Kokubunji Station on the JR Chuo and Musashino Lines, making it easily accessible for a casual visit.

Taking advantage of the varied terrain along the Kokubunji Cliff Line, the garden’s design contrasts the lawn atop the bluff with a spring-fed pond and woodland below. One of its notable features is a fresh water spring selected as one of Tokyo’s 57 celebrated springs, bringing pure, revitalizing water into this serene haven.

2-7. Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a spacious national park located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. Spanning about 58.3 hectares, it beautifully blends three distinct garden styles—Japanese, French formal, and English landscape—creating a verdant oasis right in the heart of the city. This harmony of diverse landscapes has earned it a place in the hearts of many visitors.

Originally, during the Edo period, the land belonged to the Naitō family as part of their estate. Later, in the Meiji era, it served as an experimental agricultural station under the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, where a variety of plants were cultivated. In the Taishō era, it became an imperial garden, and finally, in the Shōwa era, it was opened to the public as a national park.

Shinjuku Gyoen is about a 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, accessible by JR and several subway lines. Its convenient location makes it a welcoming spot for both locals and travelers to enjoy a moment of greenery and relaxation.

2-8. Mejiro Teien

Mejiro Garden is a Japanese garden located in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward, opened in 1990. Amid the city’s rapid urbanization, it has become a cherished space where visitors can experience both nature and traditional culture. Designed as a pond-centered strolling garden, its centerpiece is a large pond surrounded by pathways, allowing visitors to enjoy the ever-changing seasonal scenery as they walk.

The garden features a variety of flowers and plants that reflect the seasons, along with notable structures such as Akatorian, a tea house made from Kitayama cedar from Kyoto, and the hexagonal Ukimi-do pavilion. Among these, Akatorian stands out for its elegant sukiya-style architecture and its stunning reflection on the water’s surface, offering a serene and picturesque experience.

2-9. Mukojima Hyakkaen

Mukojima Hyakkaen is a renowned garden established in the late Edo period by a wealthy merchant, Sahara Kiku’u. Located in Higashi-Mukojima, Sumida Ward, it has been cherished as a peaceful retreat where seasonal flowers bloom throughout the year. True to its name, which translates to “Garden of a Hundred Flowers,” Mukojima Hyakkaen offers visitors a chance to admire a diverse array of flora in every season. During the Edo era, it was also a cultural hub where literary figures gathered for intellectual exchange and artistic activities.

Prominent literati such as Ōta Nanpo and Ōkubo Shibutsu used Mukojima Hyakkaen as a base to share and spread cultural developments of the time. The area surrounding the garden was also known as a horticultural center along the eastern banks of the Sumida River. This led to the cultivation of various ornamental plants by farmers and townspeople, fostering a trend of opening gardens to the public. As a result, other notable gardens, such as Kameido Umeyashiki and Horikiri Shobuen, were also established in the region.

Conclusion

Japanese gardens are celebrated for their harmonious blend of natural and human-made elements, offering visitors the chance to enjoy the beauty of each season. Their serene atmosphere, combined with a profound sense of depth, is part of their unique charm. With carefully arranged stones, water features, and plants, these gardens create a tranquil space that soothes the soul. One of the true joys of visiting a Japanese garden lies in contemplating the meaning behind each element, from the placement of stones to the choice of materials.

Some of the most iconic gardens in Tokyo include Hama-rikyu Onshi Teien, Rikugien, Kiyosumi Teien, Koishikawa Korakuen, and Shinjuku Gyoen—all must-visit destinations. Many of these gardens offer stunning views of cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn foliage in fall. If you’re traveling to Japan, why not take the opportunity to explore the recommended gardens featured here? They’re sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

*This article is based on information available as of December 2024.

Tokyo Travel
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