52. Garden Review: Koishikawa Korakuen (Bunkyo-ku)

Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. The Tokugawa daimyo (feudal lord) Yorifusa Mito began construction of the park in 1629. It was completed by his successor, the famous Mitsukuni Mito, as part of his daimyo yashiki (feudal lord residence). Mitsukuni Mito was interested in Chinese teachings, so he named the garden 'Korakuen'. Koraku means 'enjoying afterwards', from a Chinese proverb stating 'a governor should worry before his people and enjoy after his people'. The landscape design incorporates a mix of Chinese and Japanese influences.When built, the residence helped guard the approach to Edo Castle from the north. It also protected the Kanda Aqueduct, Edo's main water source. There was an arsenal at this location from 1867, and it was eventually turned into a public park and national historic site in 1952.
This photo shows an area of the garden where rice was planted, raised, and harvested by Mitsukuni Mito's son. Mitsukuni thought it was important for his son to know how difficult it was to grow the precious crop.

I recommend doing some research on Mitsukuni Mito before visiting this garden. Many TV series have been created about this incredible man, the most famous is the fictionalized 'Mito Komon'.

Admission: 300 yen

Open everyday, except during the New Year's holidays
Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 17:00

Address: Koraku 1-6-6, Bunkyo-ku

A short walk from Iidabashi or Korakuen Stations. It is right behind the Tokyo Dome.

Phone: 03-3811-3015

41. Garden Review: Kiyosumi Teien (Koto-ku)

The Kiyosumi Gardens were originally the residence of Kinokuniya Bunzaemon, a powerful businessman of the Edo period. In 1721, the estate became the second residence of a feudal lord named Kuze-Yamatonokami. Some of the garden was created at that time. In 1878, it was purchased by the founder of the Mitsubishi Financial Group, Iwasaki Yataro. Mr. Iwasaki expanded the garden and a large pond was created. He wanted a place to host company employees and guests of honor.

Water was drawn from the Sumida River to make the pond, and stones were collected from all over Japan. Some of the stones were placed in the water to form pedestrian bridges, 'ishi-watari'. A lovely 'ryotei', or traditional Japanese restaurant, was made the focal point.

In the back of the garden, there is also a lovely wooded picnic area. In 1932, the garden was donated to the city of Tokyo.

I was very impressed with this garden. There are a number of viewpoints from which no tall buildings can be seen. It is not well known, so it is usually very peaceful. The gardening is immaculate and the stepping stones are enjoyable to walk along. I definitely recommend a visit to this garden. For a pleasant day of sightseeing, start at this garden. Walk down the main street to the Fukagawa Edo Museum. Continue on to MOT, and then take a walk around Kiba Koen. Or wander along some of the waterways that criss-cross Koto-ku.

Admission: 150 yen, 70 yen for those over 65 years old. Children under 12 and Jr. high students living or attending school in Tokyo are free.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 17:00

Closed during the New Years holidays

Address: 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3641-5892


Access: 3 minutes walk from Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station of the Toei Oedo Line and Hanzomon Line.

37. Garden Review: Kyu-Yasuda Garden (Sumida-ku)

In the late 1600's, the Kyu-Yasuda Garden was a feudal lord's residence. The pond was famous because it was fed by the Sumida River. With the Sumida's proximity to the ocean, the water level in the pond rose and fell with the tides (although still fed by the Sumida, the water level no longer fluxuates in the garden).
Later the land was owned by Zenjiro Yasuda who granted it to the public after his death in 1922. Unfortunately it was destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, but was renovated afterwards and opened as a park in 1927. Post WWII development polluted the Sumida River and the grounds of the garden were greatly affected, but they were restored again in 1971. Unlike most of the gardens around Tokyo, Kyu Yasuda Garden is a public park and admission is free. That said, I wouldn't recommend going out of my way to visit it. It is nice, but it is small and not so special. However, if you are visiting the Edo-Tokyo Museum or going to a Sumo tournament and you want to eat a picnic lunch outdoors, this is the spot.

Address: 12 Yokoami, Sumida-ku (Just behind Ryogoku Station).

Open everyday 9:30 - 16:30. Closed Dec 29 - Jan 1.

35. Garden Review: Kyu Shiba-rikyu Garden (Minato-ku)

The Kyu Shiba-rikyu Garden was built on reclaimed land in the Edo period. The 4th Shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna gave the land to Lord Okubo Tadatomo to use as his Tokyo residence. It went through a variety of owners until it was sold to the Imperial Household Agency in 1875. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed all the buildings and nearly all the trees. The garden was restored, and in 1924 it was opened to the public. It is one of two surviving feudal era Japanese gardens in Tokyo.The Kyu Shiba-Rikyu Garden is a landscape garden built with a circular walking trail so that visitors can enjoy it from a variety of angles. The garden's focus is Sensui Pond, which takes up almost 1/4 of the total area of 43,070 m. Originally it was a salt water pond, but was converted to fresh water after additional land reclamation nearby. Many hungry carp now make the pond their home. In addition, there are man-made hills, a large stone lantern, islands connected by bridges, grassy picnic areas, and a lovely wisteria trellis.

The downside of the garden is that is is surrounded by a number of tall buildings, and a particularly ugly neon coffee billboard. But, it is always quiet, is well tended, and the entrance fee is only 150 yen. I do find it to be a pleasant oasis,and I especially recommend stopping here if you are walking to Hinode Pier from Hamamatsu or Daimon Station.

30. Garden Review: Koishikawa Botanical Garden (Bunkyo-ku)

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden was first established in 1684 as the Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden by Tsuneyoshi Tokugawa, the 5th Tokugawa Shogun. In 1877, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, it became a garden of the Tokyo Imperial University (now Tokyo University) and has been (and still is) used for botanical research. There are over 4000 plant species here, and the greenhouse still contains medicinal plants dating back to the Edo Period.

The garden is especially famous for its plum and cherry blossoms. It is not a well known garden, so crowds are usually minimal. I found it to be a very lovely park, well worth a visit.Admission: 330 yen

Closed on Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and Dec. 29 - Jan. 3.
The greenhouse is only open from 13:00 - 15:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 16:30 (last entry at 16:00)

Address: 3-7-1 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku

Transportation: A short walk from Myogadani Station (Marunouchi Line) or Hakusan Station (Toei Mita Line).

24. Garden Review: Rikugien (Bunkyo-ku)

Rikugien is now a garden, but in the early 1700's, it was the residence of the feudal lord, Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, who was famous for his literary accomplishments. The name Rikugien was taken from the six principles of composing Japanese waka poetry, which was derived from an ancient Chinese book, "Mao Chin".

In 1867, after the Meiji Restoration, the gardens were used as a villa by the Iwasaki family, owners of the Mitsubishi Group. It was also used as a temporary residence of the prime minister before being donated to the city and opening as a public park in 1937.




It is not a very large park, but it is a beautiful one. Walking paths surround a pond with an inlet. It was a nice, quiet retreat, especially if you first explore the traditional shopping area of Sugamo.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 17:00

Admission: 300 yen, but elementary school children and under, and those over 65 are free.

Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku

The garden is just outside Komagome Station on the Nanboku Line, and is a very short walk from Sugamo Station on the Yamanote Line.