8 Best Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Tokyo might be best known as a modern metropolis with bustling streets and high-rise building, but it’s also home to a plenty of traditional and historic sites, including Japanese gardens.

Japanese gardens are a great place to take a moment to relax in a nature and calm environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

In this article, I’d like to introduce some of the best traditional Japanese gardens located in Tokyo, where you can have a pleasant time and forget about being in a center of the city for a second.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of largest parks in Tokyo, which consists of three types of gardens: Japanese landscape garden, English landscape garden and French garden. The Japanese landscape garden is the most impressive sight, which includes some islands and bridges on the large pond, pavilions and well maintained trees. The garden is a popular autumn foliage spot for golden maple trees.

Map: https://goo.gl/2QqBBG

Hours: 9:00~16:30 (Closed on Mondays)

Fee: 200 yen

More info: Shijuku Gyoen National Garden

2. Hama Rikyu

Hama Rikyu (浜離宮) is a pleasant landscape garden located alongside Tokyo Bay and near Tsukiji Fish Market. This huge garden features a large pond, teahouse and several scenic points, and the unique point is that you can enjoy traditional Japanese garden with modern skyscrapers on its background. At this garden, maple and ginkgo shows their beautiful colours in late November to early December every year.

Map: https://goo.gl/bgrVzG

Hours: 9:00~17:00

Fee: 300 yen

More info: Hamarikyu Garden: Scenic Japanese Garden

3. Imperial Palace East Gardens

The Imperial Palace East Gardens (皇居東御苑) are a part of the inner palace and open to the public. They are the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defense, the honmaru “main circle” and ninomaru “secondary circle”, and now a beautiful Japanese style garden has been created.

Map: https://goo.gl/ga1xUi

Hours: 9:00~16:30 (Closed on Mondays&Fridays)

Fee: FREE

More info: Tokyo Imperial Palace Guide

4. Rikugien

Rikugien (六義園) is a gorgeous Japanese traditional garden in Tokyo, which was built around 1700 by Tokugawa Clan. This spacious garden consists of numbers of beautiful view spots such as ponds, traditional tea houses and hills, which are all surrounded by warm coloured trees in autumn. Moreover, the garden is known as the best autumn leaves viewing spots at night. During the peak season, illumination will lighten up the autumn leaves and create the most magical autumn scenery.

Map: https://goo.gl/eujiDo

Hours: 9:00~17:00 (till 21:00 for light-up during cherry blossoms and autumn leaves seasons)

Fee: 300 yen

More info: Rikugien Garden

5. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (小石川後楽園) is counted as one of the greatest Japanese gardens from Edo Period. It’s approx 70,000 m2 large and consists of 67 scenic objects and scenery including ponds, stones, trees and bridges. From late November to early December, amazing landscape of traditional Japanese garden and red maple trees can be seen.

Map: https://goo.gl/8J4YHQ

Hours: 9:00~17:00

Fee: 300 yen

More info: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden: Traditional Japanese Garden in Tokyo

6. Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden (旧芝離宮恩賜庭園) is a Japanese landscape garden, and it’s one of two surviving Edo period clan gardens in modern Tokyo along with Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. This classic garden includes a pond, hills, and circular walking trails to enjoy the garden from various perspectives.

Map: https://goo.gl/qbMahT

Hours: 9:00~17:00

Fee: 150 yen

7. Mejiro Garden

Mejiro Garden (目白庭園) is a small and peaceful traditional Japanese garden located in Mejiro area, very near Ikebukuro Station. The garden is admission free, and it’s a perfect oasis to get away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. During the autumn leaves season, the garden hosts light-up events at night and illuminated autumn foliage can be enjoyed only this time of the year.

Map: http://bit.ly/32h23Ve

Hours: 9:00~17:00 (~19:00 in July and August)

Fee: Free

More info: Mejiro Garden the Hidden Japanese Garden in Tokyo

8. Hotel New Otani’s Garden

One of most historical Japanese hotels, Hotel New Otani (ホテルニューオータニ) has a beautiful Japanese garden at their hotel site in Tokyo. The 40,000 m2 garden consists of a 6m waterfall, pond with over 300 carps and red arch bridge, and it’s permitted to enter and walk around for FREE even if you are not a hotel guests.

Map: https://goo.gl/wMKtx1

Hours: 6:00 ~22:00

Fee: FREE

More info: Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo

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How did you enjoy my list? These beautiful gardens are recommended to visit especially in spring for cherry blossom viewing or in autumn for autumn leaves hunting! Japanese gardens are great places to appreciate beautiful seasons in Japan 🙂

If you are seeking for more of Japanese traditional and historical sites in Tokyo, check these articles below, too!

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