Location:
Hamarikyu Garden is an attractive and large Edo-style park in the Chuo Ward, located in the Sumida River estuary, measuring 250,215.72m2 area.
It is known officially as ‘Hamarikyu Gardens.’
The meaning of Hamari-kyu is ‘detach palace.’
The garden features seawater ponds that change the level with the tides. On the other hand, the waves keep the pond’s water clean.
The garden is a Cultural Property as a scenic and historic spot.
It is essential to mention that there are nine Metropolitan Cultural Heritage Gardens in Tokyo, including Hamarikyu Gardens.
The other eight are Rinkugien Gardens, Mukujima Hyakkaen Gardens, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, Koshikawa Korakuen Gardens, Kiyosumi Gardens, Tonogayato Gardens, and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
History:
Hamarikyu Garden has a long glorious history.
The garden used to be the Shogun family’s property, especially falconry, till the middle of the 17th century(1624 -1644).
At first, the prime minister of Kofu (Yamanashi Prefecture), Tsunashige, built a residence here and named the garden ‘Kofu Hama-yashiki.’
But during the reign of Tsunashige’s son, Ienobu, who became the 6th Shogun, changed the park’s name and became Hama-goten. Instead of a residence, it became a recreational and social place for the Shogun family.
After the Meiji restoration, the park became a place for royal parties, and the name of the park changed again from Hama-goten to Hamarikyu.
The palace was detached from the Royal family, and that is why the name became Hamarikyu.
In addition, there was a Western-style stone-built guesthouse that was destroyed in 1889.
Later, on November 3, 1945, the royal family gave the park to Tokyo Metropolitan Government as an Imperial gift.
But the following year(on April 1, 1946), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government made it a fee-based entry garden to the public.
In December 1948, the garden became a cultural property by the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (Article 2) because of its scenic and historical background.
Besides, the surroundings measuring a 32.4-hectare area, including waters, were selected as a national unique scenic and historic spot in November 1952.
Things to see:
First, people visit it because they sense Edo in the garden.
Hamarikyu Garden is full of nature and historical spots, and it is one of the most visited tourist spots in Tokyo.
Moreover, tourists can experience Edo-style gardens and Shogunate falconry here as it is a historical spot.
It has seawater ponds, Japanese-style gardens, historic hunting spots, flower gardens, Teahouses, Artificial Hills, a landmark Pinetree, and Bridges.
Moreover, the garden is full of nature with flowers and greenery. Tourists can sense Edo Period in every part of the garden.
The leaves of the trees change colors in the Autumn and winter during the period the garden attracts many tourists every day.
Most importantly, elements that make a Japanese garden different from a park are stones, gravel, sand, streams, ponds, waterfalls, islands, bridges, teahouses, and pathways.
All these elements make the Japanese garden more beautiful than a regular park. But, most likely, the Japanese garden is a symbol of the world.
To experience the Edo-style historical park, people must visit Hamarikyu Garden. Without seeing it, no one can distinguish between a regular garden and an Edo-style park.
Feel Edo:
Tourists can sense Edo Period in every part of the garden. There is no difference between Edo Period and the Present because the tracks remain the same.
The small stones of the paths make sounds while someone walks, making tourists sense how people in Edo enjoy the sound of their walk.
The ways and the stones remained the same, which means there is no difference between Edo Period and Present Japan here.
Otemon Gate:
Hamarikyu Garden has two entrances, Otemon Gate and Naka-no-gomon Gate. But the Otemon Gate is exciting to see.
However, the gate does not look like a simple gate of a garden. Instead, it seems like a gate of a castle.
The gate wall is built with robust stones that cannot be penetrated easily.
After observing the entrance, people may think it is a gate of a camp of important Japanese soldiers without knowing that it is a park in advance.
Yes, it was.
It was a residence of the Shogunate. So anyway, it was related to the royal family. So visitors can guess Edo soldiers were no less skillful than modern soldiers in making a castle gate.
No wonder it was an unpenetrable samurai soldier gate. The Otemon Gate is carrying its pieces of evidence.
But it is now an entrance to a Japanese garden and a ticket counter.
Falconry:
Hamarikyu Garden is a historical spot where the royal family members used to hunt birds. It has many signs.
The method of tracking birds during the Edo Period is impressive.
People cannot understand unless they see how to hunt birds in Japan in the 17th century. But after visiting Hamarikyu Park, tourists get a clear idea of how the royal family members used to hunt birds.
Falconry came to Japan from China around the 4th century CE, and the royal family practiced the method for fun. Later samurai used the technique to monitor enemies and their internal communication.
There is a falconry pond in the park surrounded by trees and bushes where a few falconry spots were made so that the hunters could hide. But, when the target comes nearby, the falcons or hawks release to catch the prey.
The samurai monopoly on falconry was abolished in the Meiji Period. Nowadays, falconry is still practiced in Yamagata and Akita in a ceremonial form.
Besides, some of the clubs use falconry for fun or special occasions.
More interestingly, falcons or hawks are still trendy birds in Japan. Many people are seen in the street with falcons and hawks, and people can touch their falcons or hawks with money.
In most traditional Japanese areas, we can even find shops where people can touch hawks.
Pine Tree:
Hamarikyu Gark has a 300 years old pine tree. It is good to see such a tree, a witness 300 years of this world.
The pine tree is next to the Otemon Gate. After passing the ticket counter, it is just on the left side beside the wall.
There is a bamboo fence around the Pine Tree. A signboard reads in English and Japanese about the tree.
But the Old Pine Tree is officially known as Sambyakunen-no Matsu. However, the local name can sometimes help visitors find it when there is a language barrier.
Historic Shrine
It is not rare to find some holy places in the Japanese Gardens. For example, Hamarikyu also has a shrine name Kyu-Inabu Shrine.
The exact date of establishment of the shrine is unknown. But it has proof that a shrine existed at the same spot before the late Edo Period because a pictorial drawing proves its location.
The original shrine’s building collapsed in the earthquake on 20the June 1894. After that, the building was repaired several times.
Finally, however, the Imperial Household Ministry had to do a major repair in 1931 because Great Kanto Earthquake damaged it on September 1, 1923.
The garden authority made a significant repair in 2005. Besides, the building was restored to its original state as in the Meiji Period.
Artificial Hills:
A heap at the park is called Ochin’yama Hill.
But it is not classified as a hill; instead, it can be called a heap. The exciting matter is the signboard is written here as a hill.
There are three such beautiful hills in Hamarikyu Gardens: Ochin’yama, Shin Hinokuchi Yama, and Fujimi Yama.
Shin Hinokuchi Yama is near the Yokobori Suimon Sluicegate, Fujimi Yama is Nakajima-no-Ochaya or Teahouse, and Ochin’yama is in the middle of the two.
Ochin’yama Hill is a small artificial hill. However, it is a popular spot.
Tourists climb up and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the garden from the hilltop.
In addition, Ochi’yama Hill is a perfect place to take beautiful photos because of its location. It is just between two ponds.
The hill is in the middle of Hamarikyu Garden. Therefore, tourists can see most of the parts of the park from the top of the hill.
In addition, the Tokyo Tower looks impressive from the top of the hill.
Ponds:
A pond is one of the elements of the Japanese garden. Hamarikyu is no exception.
There are four ponds at Hamarikyu Gardens, but we can find only two ponds, Shioiri-no-ike and Ochibori, here if people carefully observe.
However, these two even can be described as canals because these two ponds are directly connected to Tokyo Bay through sluicegate.
And the rest of the two ponds, Koshin-do Kamoba and Shinsen-za Kamoba, are only hunting spots.
The more exciting thing is that a few small lovely bridges over these two ponds make the garden extraordinary.
The bridges’ names are also exciting, Umite-o-tsutai-bashi, Naka-no-hashi, Nakajima-bashi, O-tsutai-bashi, and Sanken-bashi.
Tourists can enjoy the views of the water and surroundings from the bridges.
According to the official website, goby, eel, striped mullet, and young sea bass inhabit the ponds. Besides, tourists can see some of the pleasant sea birds.
People who like rocks and lawns at the river bank love Hamarikyu Garden. The banks of the ponds are covered with stones.
And after stones, the surface is covered with green grass and trees.
At the same time, there are a few islands in the ponds for duck hunting spots. The islands are stunning.
Duck hunting spots:
Koshin-do Kamoba and Shinsen-za Kamoba are two hunting spots here.
Some tourists sometimes think these two are also ponds. But these are hunting areas only.
Shinsen-za Kamoba duck hunting area is close to Naka-no-gomon- Gate. Koshin-do Kamoba is close to Yokobori Suimon, sluicegate of Shioiri -no-ike, connected to the Tokyo Bay.
However, these both were built in the 18th century (1778).
The duck hunting trenches were made technically to allure the ducks. The hunters can hide behind the small openings so ducks cannot see them.
But hunters can see the ducks and release the hawks or throw the net behind the mound. Without visiting the place, it can be challenging to understand the technic.
However, the pictures of the technic may help people to understand.
Interestingly, visitors in the 21 century can still see the Edo-period falconry technic in Hamarikyu Garden.
Teahouse:
There are a few Ochaya or teahouses inside the garden, such as Shiomio-no-ochaya, Nakajima-no-ochaya, Matsu-no-ochaya, Tsubame-no-ochaya, and Taka-no-ochaya.
Among these teahouses, Nakajima-no-ochaya is the biggest, first built in 1707.
However, the most beautiful teahouse is Taka-no-ochaya(Hawk Teahouse). It was the main teahouse for duck hunters.
These teahouses are being preserved to show tourists the Edo period’s Japanese culture.
Besides, there are history boards in front of every teahouse. These boards can help tourists to get some
In addition, the boards put the original old picture and explained its history in Japanese, Korean, and English.
However, the brief history is not enough to know the details, but getting some ideas about the house is pretty enough.
Do you want to drink some tea as the Shogunate did in the 18th century in the Teahouse?
The exciting matter is there are facilities to experience tea like Edo Period.
For example, close to the two entrances, Otemon Gate and Naka-no-gomon Gate, near the Uchibori pond, there is a teahouse, Kaboku-en, where you can join in the Japanse Tea Ceremony.
People not only can participate in a tea party but also rent a meeting room, Hobai-tei, that holds 25 people. That is great for those who visit Hamarikyu Garden with a group.
At the same time, the biggest teahouse is also open to the public. Its operation hour is 9:00 to 16:45 (last order 16:30).
But the Japanese Tea Ceremony is very popular, so it is better to call the garden’s staff in advance.
Facilities:.
The facilities, including tea-ceremony, parking for group visitors, wheelchairs, bicycles, and lunch on a lovely boat, can be mentioned here.
Besides, Hamarikyu Garden is kids friendly. Wheelchairs and baby carts are suitable to use in the park.
The place between the shrine and Pine Tree is always covered with seasonal flowers. Children love running there.
Lunch on a boat:
Have you ever heard about lunch on a boat?
Many people like to enjoy their lunch or dinner on a boat in Tokyo Bay.
Life is always busy. Sometimes, people need quiet time and relaxation. Hamarikyu Garden has such relaxation programs.
However, it is necessary to book online in advance.
Otemon Bridge:
The scenery of the bridge is lovely. However, the most exciting matter is that the bridge always gives a nice view no matter which season.
In addition, it is out of the park, and anyone can visit without purchasing a ticket. So anyone can go to the bridge and takes some beautiful photos.
Best Season:
The best time to visit is during Cherry Blossom, from late March to early April, and in Autumn, when the leaves of the trees change, from late November to early December.
Entrance fee:
Adult: 300 yen
Senior: 150 yen (65 years old and over)
Children and students are free.
Greenery Day and Tokyo Citizen’s Day are free.
Opening hours:
9:00- 17:00
(Admission is until 4:30 pm)
Closed days:
Year-end and New Year
Access:
1) Shiodome station
(Toei Oedo Line)
5 minutes walk
2)Tsukiji Station
(Yurikamome Line)
5 minutes walk
3)Shimbashi station
(JR Yamanote Line, Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/ Toei Asakusa Line)
7 minutes walk.
Address:
Hamariky Gardens
1-1 Hamarikyu-teien, Chuo City, Tokyo-104-0046
Tel: 03 3541 0200
Official website:
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