Three Great Gardens in Tokyo

• Destination List
• Saturday, June 14, 2008

A visit to Tokyo would not be complete without touring some of its magnificent gardens. Many of the gardens within the city date back centuries and feature beautifully landscaped walking paths that meander around peaceful carp filled ponds. The gardens feature traditional Japanese tea houses, beautiful arched bridges, ancient stone lanterns and are designed in a manner that will present a new vista to ponder around every corner.

You will barely notice the sounds of the city and the tall buildings on the skyline will seem to disappear when you enter one of these great gardens. Each of these gardens is an oasis that seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city and sit in stark contrast to the modern urban infrastructure of Tokyo.

Imperial Palace East Garden - On the Grounds of the Imperial Palace, the East garden is open from 9AM-4PM from Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays and the Emperor's birthday, December 23rd ). Admission is free. The East Garden can be accessed through one of three gates (map) and is located to either the Takebashi or Otemachi Stations. Use the garden map to identify points of interest in the garden and their locations.

Rikugien - Built in 1702 and designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1953. The garden is open daily from 9AM - 5PM and is 7 minute walk from Komagome Station or a 10 minutes walk from Sengoku Station. (map)

Hibyia Park - The first westernized urban-style park in Japan was opened to the public in 1903 and is located in the heart of the Marunouchi District in downtown Toko. A beautiful statue of a crane is located in the center of the pond that is accessed via a meandering tree line path. The park is open daily and admission is free. The park is a 2 minute walk from Hibiya Station or Kasumigaseki Station and an 8 minute walk from the Yuurakucho Stataion. (map)