7 most beautiful Japanese gardens in Tokyo

Hamarikyu stands out from other gardens in Tokyo in that it isn’t known for its weeping cherry blossom or maple foliage, but for its bright pink plum trees that blossom in late winter. This tranquil garden, once a hunting ground for the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo era (1603-1867), now cowers in the shadow of the Shiodome development.

The garden’s main appeal lies in the abundance of water and the fact that it feels deceptively spacious, thanks to beautiful landscaping. Situated on an island, it is surrounded by an ancient walled moat with only one entrance, over the Minamimon Bridge (it’s also possible to reach Hamarikyu by boat from Asakusa). The focal points are the huge pond, which contains two islands (one with a teahouse) connected to the shore by charming wooden bridges, and a photogenic 300-year-old pine tree.

Famous for its appearance in Makoto Shinkai’s hit anime ‘The Garden of Words’, the expansive Shinjuku Gyoen was originally a private estate before opening to the public in 1946. It boasts some of the most beautiful gardens in the city.

Each sector in the park has a different theme – there's a French garden, an English landscape garden, a botanical greenhouse and amomiji-yama (maple mountain) – to showcase each of the four seasons. As such, the park offers a different experience as the season changes, but it’s especially popular for hanami (flower viewing) gatherings during cherry blossom season.

While Rikugien is located in the metropolitan area of Bunkyo, this garden concealed behind walls feels miles away from the bustling city. Rikugien gets especially popular in spring as crowds flock to the glorious weeping cherry tree, which is lit up after dark.

Autumn is just as scenic due to the abundance of blushing maple trees. Nevertheless, permanent highlights to be enjoyed year-round include the Fukiage Chaya tea house, where you can enjoy a cup of matcha with wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) for ¥850.

Characterised by its large pond, Kiyosumi Teien features footpaths that were designed to take you on a walk through the garden’s waterscape, which is alive with glittering koi fish, turtles and birds. As beautiful as the boulders of Kiyosumi Teien are, their placement around the garden and its three islands are no coincidence.

Shipping financer and Mitsubishi founder Iwasaki Yataro used his steam ships to collect beautiful stones from all around Japan and decorated the garden with them. Large stepping stones called isowatari are placed in the shallower parts of the pond where you can admire the trees’ reflections across the water.

Despite being right next to the amusement park of Tokyo Dome City, Koishikawa Korakuen feels so peaceful that you almost forget that you're in the centre of a metropolis. The garden was first laid out in 1629. It’s now only a quarter of its original size, but it’s still beautiful, with a range of walks, bridges, hills and vistas (often the miniatures of more famous originals) that encourage quiet contemplation. 

This garden in Kokubunji has a storied history. It was established between 1913 and 1915 on the grounds of a villa built for the vice president of the Manchurian railway, Eguchi Teijo, and was later purchased by the founder of Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Yataro, in 1929, who added a tea house to the premises.

Tonogayato’s beauty lies in the diversity of its landscape, which features a waterfall leading to a natural spring. It's also renowned for its bamboo grove and forest, which is so lush that it’s a designated cultural asset of Tokyo. 

While a little out of the way, Kamakura is worth the hour-long train journey from Tokyo for its historical shrines and temples. Houkokuji Temple, in particular, is known for its small but beautiful bamboo grove where you can enjoy a cup of matcha with Japanese sweets (¥600).

As you enter the forest, you’ll see three shallow caves that are said to be the resting place of notable Kamakura priests and samurai including Ietoki and Yoshihisa Ashikaga. The path leading up to the temple takes you through a zen stone garden famed for its karensui (dry landscape) with intricately raked gravel.