11 Gardens in Tokyo worth your time

A 25-hectare imperial forest in Tokyo hosting the Emperor's residence and over 5,000 species of flora and fauna.

What it is

• A 25-hectare forest land containing the residence of the Emperor and Empress.
• Originally called Tsubonesawa before being developed as a garden by Tokugawa Iemitsu.
• Managed as a natural Musashino environment since becoming an imperial garden after the Meiji Restoration.
• A site of high biodiversity where a biological survey confirmed approximately 5,000 species.

What to see

• The residence of the Emperor and Empress located within the grounds.
• Extensive forest land preserved to represent the natural Musashino environment.
• A diverse range of 5,000 species of flora and fauna throughout the site.
• The site of a former medicinal herb garden established by Tokugawa Yoshimune.

When to go

• The garden is opened to the public on holidays in May.
• Nature observation events are hosted by the Imperial Household Agency in spring and autumn.

Read more about Fukiage Gyoen

The former inner grounds of Edo Castle, now a free public park featuring historic ruins, imperial collections, and traditional gardens.

What it is

• The site occupies the former inner circles of Edo Castle.
• The Imperial Household Agency manages the entire garden area.
• The gardens opened to the general public on October 1, 1968.
• Admission to the Imperial Palace East Gardens is free.

What to see

• The Tenshudai is the stone foundation of the former Edo Castle keep.
• The Ninomaru Garden contains a pond with long-finned koi fish.
• The Sannomaru Shozokan Museum displays items from the Imperial collection.
• The Tokagakudo Music Hall was built to celebrate Empress Kojun's birthday.
• Visitors can enter through the Otemon, Hirakawamon, or Kitahanebashimon gates.

When to go

• The gardens are generally closed on Mondays and Fridays.
• Baggage inspections are required for all visitors upon entry.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Imperial Palace East Gardens

A historic Japanese garden in Shinjuku, blending Japanese and Western styles, worth visiting for its unique design.

What it is

• A Japanese garden in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
• Originally a daimyo garden from the Edo period.
• Acquired by Ōkuma Shigenobu in 1874.
• Renovated into a Japanese-Western eclectic style in 1884.

What to see

• A replica of the Emille Bell.
• Statues of Confucius, donated in 2008.
• The Old Ōkuma Residence Gatehouse, built in 1902.

When to go

• Open Monday to Saturday on university class days.

Getting there

• 4-minute walk from Waseda Station.

Read more about Ōkuma Garden

Soroen Garden is a tranquil conservation area with historical significance and natural beauty.

What it is

• A paid garden and green space conservation area in Tokyo.
• Named by Tsuyoshi Inukai in 1919.
• Site of a villa built by Shogoro Hatano in 1914.
• Designated a Special Green Space Conservation Area.

What to see

• Housing ruins from the Late Paleolithic period.
• Spring water, one of Tokyo's representative springs.
• A suikinkutsu, a Japanese musical water instrument.
• Various wild birds.

When to go

• Known for beautiful autumn leaves.

Address

東京都小金井市貫井南町三丁目2番28号 Map

Read more about Sōrōsen-en Garden

Historic Tokyo garden with a pagoda, offering a tranquil escape from city bustle.

What it is

• A historic garden on a Tokyo hill.
• Created in 1878 by Yamagata Aritomo.
• Originally known as Tsubakiyama for its camellias.
• Open to the public for viewing.

What to see

• A three-story pagoda at the garden's summit.
• Pagoda moved from Chikurin-ji Temple in 1925.
• Pagoda is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Some pagoda parts date to around 1420.

Address

東京都文京区関口2丁目10-8 Map

Official site

hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.jp

Read more about Chinzan-sō Garden

Yoshino Baigō was a famous plum garden, now regenerating after disease.

What it is

• A plum garden in Ome City, Tokyo.
• Once a famous plum blossom viewing spot in Kanto.
• All plum trees were cut down due to disease in 2014.
• An NPO was established in 2015 to regenerate the village.

What to see

• Ome City Plum Park at the southeast end of Baigo.
• Yoshikawa Eiji Memorial Museum is a main facility.
• Ome Kimono Museum is a main facility.

Read more about Yoshino Baigō

Explore a 1920s Japanese residence with a highly-ranked garden, open to the public.

What it is

• A modern Japanese-style residence.
• Built in the 1920s by a camera parts manufacturer.
• Owned by Katsushika City and open to the public.
• Designated a Tokyo Historic Building in 2003.

What to see

• The residence building.
• A garden that has ranked highly since 2003.

Getting there

• Located behind the Tora-san Memorial Hall.

Official site

www.katsushika-kanko.com

Read more about Yamamoto-tei

Kyū Yasuda Garden is a historic tidal pond garden, free to enter and worth visiting for its unique design.

What it is

• A daimyo garden in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
• A tidal pond stroll garden.
• Built by Honjo Munesuke during the Genroku era.
• Donated to Tokyo City in 1922.

What to see

• A tidal pond stroll garden.
• An artificial tide reproduction system.

When to go

• Closed from December 29th to January 1st.

Address

東京都墨田区横網一丁目12番1号 Map

Official site

www.city.sumida.lg.jp

Read more about Kyū Yasuda Garden

Senshun-en is a historic Edo period garden, now a nature observation area.

What it is

• A garden in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.
• Remnant of a 1659 upper residence.
• Established by Matsudaira Yorimoto.
• Managed as a nature observation garden.

What to see

• Three Katsura trees in the eastern lowlands.
• Rare Shiromatsu and Daiohsho near an entrance.
• Bronze statue of Jigoro Kano.

Read more about Senshun-en

Historic Tokyo club with Renaissance architecture and a garden, designed by Josiah Conder.

What it is

• A building and garden in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
• Also known as Mitsui Club.
• Built on a former samurai residence site.
• Completed in December 1913, designed by Josiah Conder.

What to see

• Building with Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.
• Garden designed by Josiah Conder.

Official site

www.tsunamachimitsuiclub.co.jp

Read more about Tsunamachi Mitsui Club

Explore a historic Tokyo garden, once a samurai residence and site of dramatic events.

What it is

• Historic site in Roppongi, Tokyo.
• Established in 1650 as a residence for Mōri Hidemoto.
• Designated a historic site in 1919.
• Now the Mōri Garden within Roppongi Hills.

What to see

• A pillar marking the original residence site.
• Hyotan Pond.

Official site

www.roppongihills.com

Read more about Mōri Kai-no-kami's Residence