The Best Parks and Gardens in Tokyo: The Editors' Picks
- Published on : 22/10/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Fall Foliage at Rikugien
Flickr Raita Futo
Don't be fooled by stereotypes! Amid its skyscrapers and shopping streets, Tokyo is home to many green spaces. From traditional gardens to the city's large parks, discover the capital in a whole new way with Japan Experience's selection.
1. Koishikawa Korakuen, a place steeped in history
It’s the editorial team’s favorite! Created in the 17th century for the Mito family, Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo’s oldest landscaped gardens. It perfectly exemplifies the principle of a strolling garden, where each path reveals a new perspective.
Designated a historic site, it offers a striking contrast to the buildings surrounding it, starting with those of the Tokyo Dome City.
The path winds around a pond, artificial hills, bridges, and trails that invite visitors to explore the garden at their own pace. The Engetsu Bridge, whose reflection in the water forms a circle reminiscent of the full moon, is one of the site’s most recognizable features. There is also a small rice paddy and maple trees that add color to the landscape in the fall.
In the spring, the plum and cherry trees also attract many visitors.
Koishikawa Korakuen
@Wikimedia
Our advice? Don't hesitate to explore the surrounding area. Start with Tokyo Dome City and its roller coaster for a thrill, then stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants in the complex. Next, head to Korakuen for a leisurely stroll to help digest your meal, followed by a cup of matcha at its tea house.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Koishikawa, Bunkyo, Tokyo
©scott-law, Unsplash
2. Rikugien, the Garden of Six Poems
Located in Komagome, north of Tokyo, Rikugien was laid out in the early 18th century for Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a close associate of Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Its name refers to the six categories of Chinese poetry, which inspired its creator.
The garden is organized around a pond bordered by hills, small islands, and paths that reveal different viewpoints. Several landscapes evoke famous sites in Japan, rendered on a smaller scale. Take the time to stroll along the water’s edge, cross the bridges, and stop at the tea pavilions, which offer beautiful views of the landscape.
Rikugien is particularly beautiful in the spring and fall, when the garden hosts nighttime illuminations to highlight the natural scenery.
Our recommendation? Fall is definitely the best time of year to explore the area around Rikugien! Just a few minutes away by subway, you can visit the campus of the University of Tokyo, famous for its ginkgo trees. It’s a great way to pass the time in broad daylight, before the garden lights up.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rikugien
©Hiroki Uchida,https://www.flickr.com/,CC BY-SA 2.0,https://www.flickr.com/photos/nikuyoshi/15282313824/
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3. Shinjuku Gyoen, a breath of fresh air right in the heart of Tokyo
Just a few minutes from the bustling streets of Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s most beloved parks. Open to the public since 1949, it consists of three distinct sections (Japanese, French, and English gardens), giving it a different look with each season.
Cherry blossoms in spring, roses in early summer, and golden foliage in fall - there’s something to delight the eyes all year round.
To learn more about this exceptional park, we invite you to read the article we’ve dedicated to it!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
HOURS: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Shinjuku Gyoen
@Peter on Pexels, royalty-free
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4. Hamarikyu, Between Skyscrapers and the Sea
At the mouth of the Sumida River, not far from Ginza, Hamarikyu offers a contrast that is characteristic of Tokyo: a traditional garden whose ponds and trees stand out against the skyscrapers of the business district. Formerly a hunting ground for the Tokugawa shoguns, then owned by the imperial family, it became a public garden in 1946.
Its unique feature is its large pond fed by water from Tokyo Bay. Unlike most Japanese gardens, whose ponds are fed by freshwater, this one follows the tides. The water level therefore changes throughout the day, slightly altering the landscape.
Read our full article about Hamarikyu.
In the middle of the pond stands the Nakajima-no-ochaya tea house, accessible via a bridge. Visitors can stop there to enjoy matcha accompanied by a pastry while taking in the view of the garden and the surrounding buildings.
The editorial team’s bonus tip? You can take a boat to Asakusa from the pier in the garden. It’s a pleasant way to explore Tokyo from the water!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hamarikyu
@Akupsyy on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
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5. Yoyogi: A Park Where You Can Observe Tokyo Life
Located near the Meiji-jingu Shrine and the Harajuku district, Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces. Formerly the site of the 1964 Olympic Village, it opened to the public in 1967.
With its expansive lawns and tree-lined paths, it’s the perfect spot for picnicking, biking, or watching the musicians who gather there on weekends. In the spring, the cherry trees bloom, while the ginkgo trees turn yellow in the fall.
Our tip? Thanks to its very central location, Yoyogi is easy to include in a stroll through Harajuku or Omotesando.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
HOURS: The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Please note: Some facilities and services within the park have their own operating hours.
Yoyogi Park
@jpellgen on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
To the south, Shinobazu Pond is covered with lotus flowers in the summer and is home to the Bentendo Shrine, located on a small island. As you stroll along the paths, you’ll also discover the Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple, while several major museums - including the Tokyo National Museum - invite you to extend your visit.
With its zoo, historic sites, and walking paths, it takes at least two hours to explore the park!
Our recommendation? Don’t hesitate to explore the neighborhood upstream, famous for its street food and its thrift stores.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
HOURS: Daily, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, the museums, zoo, and other facilities located in the park have their own opening hours.
The Cherry Trees in Ueno Park
@Unsplash
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7. Kyu-Furukawa Teien, the Rose Garden
It’s becoming less and less of a secret! In northern Tokyo, Kyu-Furukawa Teien surprises visitors with its blend of European and Japanese styles. Landscaped in the early 20th century, this estate features a Western-style residence designed by British architect Josiah Conder, a French-style garden, and a traditional Japanese garden.
Around the house, rosebushes provide a colorful backdrop in the spring and fall. Below, the Japanese garden reveals a completely different landscape, with its pond, stone lanterns, and winding paths, designed by landscape architect Ogawa Jihei VII.
Our recommendation? To extend this unique visit, head to Cocofulu, a very cozy tea room that serves homemade pastries.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0024, Japan
HOURS: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kyu Furukawa
@Guilhem Vellut on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
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Bonus: Shōwa Memorial Park, just outside Tokyo
Just a 30-minute train ride from downtown Tokyo, Shōwa Memorial Park (Showa Kinen Kōen) is the perfect getaway to enjoy nature throughout the seasons. With its 180 hectares, gardens, and bike paths, it offers a chance to discover landscapes that change throughout the year. In spring, cherry blossoms and tulips add color to the paths. In the fall, fields of cosmos and avenues lined with ginkgo trees attract photography enthusiasts. Don’t miss the Japanese garden, with its pond and tea pavilions. The park occasionally hosts lovely exhibitions.
Our tip? Rent a bike to explore the park!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: 3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014, Japan
HOURS: In spring and summer, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; reduced hours in fall and winter.
Showa Memorial Park
Wikimedia
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