Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, a serene pocket of Edo-era elegance, offers a peaceful retreat from Tokyo’s bustle. Stroll through timeless beauty in this historic landscape, where each path and pond tells a story of harmony and tradition.
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Location:
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo’s historic and special scenic gardens.
It is in Bunkyo City, just next to Tokyo Dome.
Besides, it is the oldest Daimyo garden in Tokyo.
The site is one of three surviving daimyo gardens founded early in the Edo period. The other two are the Hamarikyu Gardens and Rikugi-en.
However, there are eight beautiful Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The gardens are Rinkugien Gardens, Mukujima Hyakkaen Gardens, Hamarikyu Gardens, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, Kiyosumi Gardens, Tonogayato Gardens, and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
Access to the garden is straightforward.
The nearest station is Iidabashi Station(Toei Subway Oedo Line) and 3 minutes walk from exit c3.
History:
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden was opened to the public on April 3, 1938. It is about 70,847.17 square meters.
The garden has a long history.
The son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Yorifusa founded the Korakuen Garden for his middle mansion in 1629.
Later, Yorifusa son, Tokugawa Mitsukuni renovated the garden.
A Confucian scholar of the Ming dynasty, Zhuzhiyu, helped him choose a name for the garden, and he renamed it Korakuen.
‘Korakuen’ means ‘hardship now, pleasure later,’ derived from Fan Zhongyan’s poem.
‘Koishikawa’ means ‘a Pebble River.’ Koishi means ‘small Pebble,’ and ‘Kawa’ means ‘River’ in Japanese.
You can see the rocky Koishikawa near Byobu Rock at the park.
Moreover, it was the property of the Mito Tokugawa until 1869. Later, the last daimyo of the Mito family, Tokugawa Akitake, surrendered his mansion to Meiji.
Moreover, it became a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty in 1923.
Later, the garden’s status went up, and the ‘Special’ word was added.
Then, it became a Special National Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1952.
Besides, it was renamed Koishikawa Korakuen Garden to differentiate it from the famous Okayama Korakuen.
Later, using some of the parts of the garden, a Baseball Stadium and Tokyo Dome City were constructed.
Why visit:
First, it is a place to study and think about history.
Secondly, it is a place to escape from the bustle of city life.
Third, it has scenic beauty.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden reproduces beautiful seasonal landscapes like other traditional Japanese gardens.
The garden is undoubtedly one of the best scenic places to visit in Tokyo.
It carries a sense of the Japanese daimyo’s favorite landscape scene. Luckily people can enjoy it even in the 21st century.
The garden remains a beautiful natural escape from the modern Japanese capital even though Bunkyo Ward is one of the core locations in Tokyo.
However, it has the same features as other Japanese gardens.
The familiar scenes of Japanese and Chinese gardens are trails, ponds, stones, trees, lawns, flower gardens, shrines, teahouses, and artificial hills.
Kuhachi-ya:
Kuhachi-ya is a replica of Edo Perido’s sake house.
However, Kuhachi-ya has a significant meaning.
There is a wooden signboard nearby the house. It explained the combination meaning of the Kuhachi-ya.
It reads, ‘Do not fill Sake-cup to the brim. Nine-tenths in the daytime, eight-tenths at night. It is wise to keep modest attitude toward all things.’
The meaning offers a perfect idea of moderate drinks of sake.
It is the best signboard of the Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.
Daisensui:
Daisensui means ‘Grea Pond.’
However, the pond resembles the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa.
It is vast.
At the same time, it is beautiful.
It is the largest pond in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden.
Island:
The middle pond has an island. The island has a vermilion shrine.
Horajima Shrine.
Indeed, lovely name.
The island looks more beautiful during Autumn when the color of the leaves changes.
The scenic beauty of the island during the Autumn beckons visitors.
But, there is no way to arrive at the island by crossing the water. That is the reason it looks like a natural island.
However, visitors can only enjoy it from far.
Shiraito-no-taki:
It is a small waterfall.
However, it is fantastic.
A Stepstone pathway put a border between Daisensui Pond and Shiraito-no-taki. Visitors enjoy a stepstone pathway, pond, and waterfall together here.
Engetsu-Kyo:
Engetsu-kyo means ‘Full Moon Bridge.’
It is a stone bridge. The bridge’s reflection in the water forms the shape of a full moon.
A 17-century Chinese Confucian Scholar, Zhu Shun Shui, designed the bridge.
Byobu Rock:
Byobu Rock or Byobu-iwa is one of the most famous historical spots in the garden.
The rock looks like a picture screen.
The 3rd shogun, Iemitsu, used to sit on the rock during his visit near the river.
The rocky spot remains the same as it was before. So, it is worth visiting the site.
Tokujin-do:
Tokujin-do is a beautiful temple on the top of a hill. It is next to Otowa-no-taki.
The temple is the oldest building in the garden. Mitsukuni, the second lord of the Mito- Tokugawa family, built it.
Surprisingly, it survives from Kanto Earthquake and WWII.
Best time:
Late November – early December
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is always popular to the Tokyoites.
However, the best season to visit is during Autumn.
Autumn in Tokyo is usually between late November to early December. It is a tree leaf changing season in Tokyo.
Maple leaves become orange and red around the three ponds.
In addition, Ginko leaves turn golden yellow at the south corner of the garden.
Besides, the garden is full of favorite seasonal flowers. Plum, water lily, cherry, azalea, iris, and hydrangea are worth mentioning.
Plum flowers bloom from mid-February to March, Cherry from late March to early April, Azaleas from early April to early May, and Iriss from late May to early June.
Events:
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden hosts various events every year.
It hosts some traditional events which are rarely seen nowadays in Tokyo.
In addition, the garden also holds some flower festivals. Hundred of people visit during such festivals.
Iris Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the garden. Iris flowers peak in May last week to mid-June.
Iris Festival in 2022 theme is ‘Enjoying Hanashobu.’
May 25 (Wednesday) -June 5 (Sunday)
9:00 to 17:00 (last admission is 16:30)
No extra entrance fee. Visitors can enjoy all events with the garden’s entrance fee.
Admission fee:
Adult: 300 yen
Senior: 150 yen(65 years old and over)
Free: Children & junior students
Free Days: Greenery Day & Children’s Day
Opening Hours:
9:00-17:00
Closed: December 29-January 1
Access:
Suidobashi Station JR( West Exit)
Iidabashi Station JR(East Exit)
8 minutes walk(both)
Iidabashi Station
Toei Subway Oedo Line(Exit C3)
3 minutes walk
Iidabashi Station
Tokyo Metro Tozai Line / Nanboku Line / Yurakucho Line(Exit A1)
8 minutes walk
Korakuen Station
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / Nanboku Line(Exits 1 & 2)
8 minutes walk
Address:
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, 1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004
Official website:
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