Introduction:
Rikugien Garden is the most beautiful Japanese garden in the Tokyo metropolitan, located in Bunkyo City. It is a Japanese-style garden surrounded by Oizumisui Forest.
The garden is considered Tokyo‘s most beautiful Japanese garden, which a famous Daimyo expressed his imagination over 300 years ago.
It is one of the nine Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The other eight such Edo Period gardens are Mukujima Hyakkaen Gardens, Hamarikyu Gardens, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens, Koshikawa Korakuen Gardens, Kiyosumi Gardens, Tonogayato Gardens, and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens.
7 minutes walk from JR Yamanote Line or Tokyo Metro Namboku Line on foot.
History:
The Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, presented Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu about nine hectares of flat land in 1695.
Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu was the chief counsel of the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.
However, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu made the flat land different in shape. He made ponds, hills, bridges, lawns, waterfalls, teahouses, and islands.
Finally, after five years, in 1702, the land transformed into a small beautiful world. He named it Rikugien Gardens.
However, the name ‘Rikugi-en’ came from the famous Chinese poetry WAKA.
Traditional Chinese poetry WAKA is divided into six categories. At the same time, ‘Rikugi-en’ means ‘a garden of the six principles,’ which reproduces 88 scenes.
It is believed that Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu had profound literary knowledge that was reflected in his Rikugien Gardens.
After the Meiji Restoration, the founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yataro, bought it with another garden, Kiyosumi Garden, in 1878.
However, the garden was donated to the Tokyo Metropolitan government in 1938. In October, the Metropolitan Government opened the garden to the public in the same year.
Features:
Open: October 16, 1938
Area: 87,809.41 square meters
Teahouse: 3 (in operation)
Primary plants: Pine, maple, zelkova, Idesia polycarpa, Mizuki, camphor tree, Castanopsis sieboldii, azalea, azalea, weeping cherry tree, cherry tree, beautyberry
Structure:
Oizumisui Forest surrounds the whole garden, the garden surrounds the pond, and Nakanoshima Island is surrounded by water.
Scenic Beauty:
The Japanese government selected the garden as a National Special Place of Scenic beauty in 1953.
Island:
There are two islands in the garden.
Each of the islands represents the famous islands of Japan. For example, the two islands of the gardens are Horai-jima and Nakanoshima.
Horai-jima(Horai Islet) is just a few rocks in the water, built by Iwasaki Yataro.
However, Nakanoshima Island is big. It is the center of the Rikugien Garden.
Besides, there is a mountain on the island, Imono-yama/Se-no-yama.
That is why Nakanoshima is the foremost middle point of the garden.
However, the real Nakanoshima Island is in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is the biggest and most populous island of the Kagoshima Prefecture.
It is a beautiful island connected with Tazu-no-hashi(bridge).
But, the island is not open all the season. So, visitors cannot enter here.
However, visitors can enjoy a nice landscape view from the top of the Fujishirotoge Viewpoint.
Fujishiro-toge:
Fujishiro-toge is a viewpoint.
It also looks like an Island, surrounded by water. However, it is accessible.
This viewpoint is the highest and most popular spot in the garden. It is about 35 meters high.
The viewpoint faces towards the pond and the entrance. Viers can see most of the parts of the garden from here.
Fujishiro-toge is based on Fujishiro-zaka in Wakayama Prefecture, from where visitors can see the beautiful view of the beach and town in Wakayama.
So, the garden creator, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, put the same name and wanted to make such a beautiful viewpoint at Rikugien Garden.
Of course, it is not the real Fujishiro. However, visitors can enjoy such a nice view from the top of the garden.
Bridge:
The garden has six lovely bridges.
Every name of the bridge also has its meaning.
The names of the bridges are Chidori-no-hashi, Kamome-no-hashi, Yamakage-no-hashi, Fujinami-no-hashi, Togetsukyo-no-hashi, and Tazu-no-hashi.
Tazu-no-hashi is the only connection to enter Nakanoshima Island.
But, the most beautiful bridge is Chidori-no-hashi, located in front of the Takimi-chaya.
Visitors can see far from the bridge.
Moreover, the bridge is one of the best spots to take beautiful garden photos.
Teahouse:
Rikugien Garden has about six teahouses.
However, two are for tea ceremonies or groups, and two are empty.
The empty two teahouses are Takimi-chaya and Tsutsuji-chaya.
The term ‘Takimi’ means ‘waterfall viewing.’ There is a small waterfall in front of Takimi-chaya.
On the other hand, Tsutsuji means Azalea Flowers.
However, these are for nature viewing.
Most visitors take a rest and enjoy nature from these teahouses.
The rest of the teahouses are with goods and open daily to the public.
Visitors can enjoy Japanese-style green tea, soft drinks, and snacks at Shinsen-tei and Fukiage-chaya.
However, the green tea set in the summer at Fukiage-chaya is fantastic. It is tasty and energetic.
Besides, there is a rest facility Store nearby Shinsen-tei.
Beach:
The garden also has a beach and coast.
The space in front of the Fukiage Ochaya is familiar as Fukiage Beach.
On the other hand, the front space of the Store is called Tamamo-iso-coast.
Besides, it also has a river, Zenkei no Nagare, that flows on the northern edge of the garden.
The bridge is very famous. Visitors get congested here in autumn.
During the autumn, the leaves of the trees around the bridge change.
As a result, it has become an excellent spot for selfies.
But, in another season, the bridge is very tranquil.
Rikugikan:
The remaining of the owner’s house is just a lovely lawn now.
However, it has a giant stone lantern. Azalea and iris bloom here.
It is the perfect place to view Nakanoshima, pond, and Fujishiro viewpoint.
Illumination:
Rikugien Garden becomes more crowded during Cherry Blossom and Autumn.
So, the park extends its opening hours.
On the other hand, the garden is illuminated after sunset, and visitors can enjoy the illumination.
Most visitors finished their dinner in the garden.
Admission:
Adult: 300 yen
Senior: 150 yen(65 years old & over)
Free: Children & elementary school students
Opening hours:
9:00- 17:00
(Admission is until 4:30 pm)
Closed days:
Year-end and New Year (December 29-January 1)
Access:
Komagome Station
(JR Yamanote Line/Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)
7 minutes walk(South exit)
Sengoku Station
(Toei Subway Mita Line)
10 minutes walk
Contact:
TEL 03-3941-2222
Address:
6 Chome-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021
Official Website:
Book hotel near Rikugien Gardens