Gardens in Tokyo

THE 10 BEST Tokyo Gardens

Gardens in Tokyo

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What travelers are saying

  • HandsomeXO
    Hong Kong, China9,845 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tokyo Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, residence of the Naito family during the Edo period, is a public botanical garden featuring a wide range of plants, including quite a number of endangered species. It is famous for being one of the best Hanami (flower viewing) spots in Tokyo during the cherry blossom season.

    NAKED Sakura Night Garden 2023 is Gyoen’s first collaboration with NAKED Inc., a creative company. The light show simply turns the garden into a magically illuminated realm with cherry blossom being the main theme. Admission tickets (Klook Special Promotion: JPY 1,600/adult; JPY 1,400/senior) can easily be purchased online in advance. Paperless transactions are simple and environmentally friendly; all you need is the QR code. Expect to walk on grass, so wear comfortable shoes. Although wheelchairs are available for free rental, the walk from the entrance to the rental booth is approximately 10 minutes. Enjoy the view and take lots of photos and videos!
    Written February 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sunrise99
    Yorkshire417 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We came here from the river boat. It seemed a peaceful place amongst the rest of the urbanisation. Some very old trees still exist here. There is also a tearoom. A place to sit and contemplate.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • sunrise99
    Yorkshire417 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A good place to seek some tranquility situated close to high rise flats. Spend time wandering around the grounds which have been well kept.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Glenn K
    Brisbane, Australia73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walked around the Rikugien Garden, guided by a friendly local Japanese that we had met a few days earlier. Very relaxing, especially the stop for tea and Japanese sweets at the teahouse. Since it was winter there weren't many vibrant colours but it was still a very peaceful experience
    Written February 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • johnvtokyo
    Tokyo, Japan80 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always beautiful and not normally crowded. It can be reached via the right of the building alley and walkway. We go there often then have a coffee.
    Written May 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kelsey P
    San Rafael, CA117 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went to this garden on our February trip hoping to catch the plum blossoms and were not disappointed! They have a beautiful grove of plum trees blooming in all colors. There are also winding paths around the lake, creeks, pavilions, and a couple of bridges including the "Full Moon" bridge. It was a nice break from the bustle of the city.
    Written February 29, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kristen C
    San Diego, CA176 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Off the crowded streets are getting to you, check out this lovely Japanese garden very close to Tokyo Tower for beauty and tranquility.
    Sister park admission is included in the price which was very inexpensive for US dollar exchange.
    Written January 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • grover_shweta
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow what a property!! We stayed her in end May 2023 for 4 nights. The rooms are good size, nearest metro -Edogawabashi (Yurakucho line). The staff is very polite and helpful. The restaurants are also good, the Japanese ones needs to be booked 3 days prior. The garden is amazing, be it in the night time or day time a walk through the garden is must.
    Written June 28, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tom B
    Melbourne, Australia1,581 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great strolling garden. Today was a sunny Winter’s day. Lots of wildlife including herons, ducks and sun-baking turtles. As a bonus it includes a monument to the great Haiku poet Basho.
    Written January 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lesleys490
    Falkirk 34 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The house is currently under repair with around 80% covered in scaffolding. I’m afraid you’ll get no pictures of the exterior of the house or hsve access onto the balconies. There is an entrance fee but you do get information given to you in English if required. Please be aware that you must remove any footwear prior to entering the house.
    In thought, given the name, that I would be able to wander around a garden too but it’s more like a large lawn but in autumn I think the surrounding trees will look amazing albeit for a short time. It’s a bit of a trek from the train station but if you’re looking so something different to do in the rain then you’ll not be disappointed.
    Written September 3, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pochaho
    Tokyo, Japan297 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I went with a friend for a purpose of experiencing the red leaves 🍁 around Tokyo and I found this place. It’s awesome and lots of nice roses 🌹 and maple trees around it. A quiet park but relaxing! I recommend if you just want to take a short break and appreciate the beauty of nature in a busy Tokyo!
    Written December 5, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • E C
    Victoria, Australia267 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a nice garden but unlike most you see in Japan I would not call this a manicured garden. Very tranquil and in spring this would be 5 out of 5 but unfortunately for autumn the Azalea garden is bare and a bit unsightly, in the Iris garden there are no Iris’ but the maples surrounding make up for it.
    Written November 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • K_Chan40
    Petaluma, CA430 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I have visited several times as this garden is such a wonderful break from the busy concrete jungle that surrounds it. The winding pathways and still water will refresh and energize you at the same time. Although you can see tall sky scrappers and a shinkansen line passes right next to the garden it's not distracting at all from the traditional beauty.
    Written November 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
    Vermont7,449 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    With its many species, labeled and explained, this is truly a research and educational garden. In fact, it is the Tokyo University Graduate School of Science Botanical Garden. It was begun in 1684 by the Tokugawa Shogunate as the Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden.  

    There was a laminated English map at the entrance booth, but we were only given a map in Japanese - there were no available English maps for visitors.  We used the Japanese map to get around.  The woman at the ticket booth marked our map for the momiji area and the Japanese garden, but we knew where to look having visited here previously for sakura.  The momiji tunnel was indeed beautiful. We noticed on the English map mention of a "Sweet Potato Monument” so we penciled it into our Japanese map and made sure we found it to photograph it (Not very exciting, but how often do you get to see a Sweet Potato Monument?) 

    The grounds are large enough that even though there were many other visitors we did not feel that it was overly crowded.  We did have to wait at times for people to move so that we could photograph just the garden. The birders standing still with their long lens cameras, the young couples and families out for a day, and the painting class students sitting in prime spots around the lower pond, all ended up in some of our photos as did the signs, marking significant trees and plants.

    The garden proved to be a good place to visit for koyo, as it had previously been for sakura.    

    Visitor tips:
    Be prepared for a long walk through a residential area to the garden from the station.
    The grounds are quite extensive so plan on spending a long time there.
    From the upper garden to the lower pond and Japanese garden requires walking a path down a steep slope. You can also walk down the hill under the trees off the path - this is a shorter and more direct route, but requires attention to your footing.
    Do not confuse the Koishikawa Botanical Garden with Koishikawa Korakuen near the Tokyo Dome.
    ¥400 entrance fee when were there, but it now appears to be ¥500
    Written November 25, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Daniel
    Yokohama, Japan221 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the oddities of Tokyo can be charging for public parks, not all but some of the nicer ones. Kyu Yasuda, not far from the Sumo Kokugikan and Ryogoku Station is a nice walkaround, with tailored trees, pond and the usual carp. And, it's free for sitting or having your lunch on a nice day.
    Written June 1, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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