Beautiful Gardens in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo may be a sprawling metropolis, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in green space. Some of the most beautiful and tranquil gardens can be found in this bustling city. If you’re craving some natural scenery, add these four Tokyo gardens to your Japan itinerary.

Hamarikyu Gardens

Right in the heart of central Tokyo’s Chuo Ward not too far from Ginza is the tranquil site of Hamarikyu Gardens. The strolling garden is lush with pine, maple, and ginkgo trees, and depending on the time of year, you may see plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, peonies, and canola blossoms. The gardens are woven around the only remaining seawater pond in Tokyo, some parts connected by bridges made of Japanese cypress. On an island in the middle of the pond is the Nakajima-no-ochaya tea house, where visitors can relax and enjoy a bowl of matcha tea while admiring the peaceful vista.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, an expansive property in Shinjuku spanning 140 acres with more than 20,000 trees, is composed of three different types of gardens. A pond dotted with manicured shrubs winds along the Japanese traditional garden, which houses the Kyu-Goryo-Tei, also called the Taiwan Pavilion, built by Japanese people living in Taiwan to commemorate Emperor Hirohito’s wedding. The English landscape garden features an open, grassy field with tulip trees and flowering cherry trees on the periphery. Colorful seasonal roses and tall sycamore trees make up the French formal garden. A greenhouse, restaurant, tea house, and multiple rest houses can be found throughout the grounds. Due to its large size, many events are hosted in the garden during the year. It is also popular in spring as a hanami spot when more than 400 flowering cherry trees are in bloom and in autumn when the maple trees change color. 

Meiji Jingu Inner Garden

Just off the path to the famous Meiji Shrine in Shibuya is Meiji Jingu Gyoen, also called Meiji Jingu Inner Garden. Emperor Meiji partially designed the garden with Empress Shoken in mind, hoping it would bring her energy and enjoyment. Along the beautiful, winding paths are ponds with water lilies and koi, a tea house in traditional Japanese style, and thatched roof rest areas. In June, the stunning iris garden comes alive with more than 1,000 iris plants comprising 150 different species. One of the most popular places in the garden is Kiyomasa’s Well, a designated power spot believed to give off positive and restorative energy to those who visit it.

Rikugien

Designed around the theme of Japanese waka poetry and designated by the Japanese government as a National Place of Scenic Beauty, Rikugien is a picturesque garden about 7 minutes walking distance from Komagome Station in the Bunkyō Ward, a short train ride away from Ikebukuro. It features hilly paths shaded by tall trees, a central pond, meandering streams, and many bridges, including the Togetsukyo stone bridge named after a waka poem. Pine trees, maples trees, azaleas, flowering cherry trees, and sasanqua are found throughout the garden depending on the season. At the Fukiage-no-chaya tea house, visitors can sip a bowl of matcha at one of the outdoor tables covered in red cloth overlooking the pond and surrounding greenery.

 

(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)

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