Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

Please activate Javascript.

Domo arigato.
  • Rikugien Garden illumination in Tokyo

    Rikugien Garden Illumination, Tokyo

  • Main Entrance Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Main Entrance Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Map Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Map Of Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Entrance Gate Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Entrance Gate Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Horaishima Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Horaishima Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Horaishima Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Horaishima Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Togetsukyo Bridge Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Togetsukyo Bridge, Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Mizuwake Stones Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Mizuwake Stones, Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Tea House Fukiage-chaya Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Tea House Fukiage-chaya, Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • View from Tea House Fukiage-chaya Rikugien Garden

    View from Tea House Fukiage-chaya, Rikugien Garden

  • Pond Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Pond within Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Tea House Shinsentei Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Tea House Shinsentei, Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Pond Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Pond within Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Kiosk Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Kiosk, Rikugien Garden In Tokyo

  • Benches Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Benches within Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Pond Koi Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Koi Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Tsutsuji Chaya Tea House, Rikugien Garden

    Tsutsuji Chaya Tea House, Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Tree Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Tree Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

  • Wall Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

    Wall along Rikugien Garden in Tokyo

Show map

Show gallery

This post can contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Facts & Figures

The term Rikugien means Garden of Six Elements of Poetry and contained reproductions of 88 well-known landscape scenes that are mentioned in popular poems. Best Ryokans in Tokyo Explore Ryokans in Tokyo >
Ryokans are the perfect way to discover old Japanese culture and traditions.
The Rikugien Garden has a huge circular pond in the middle that is bordered by an amazing landscape which consists of forests and hills, as well as trails that make it easier to explore the area. The landscaping technique is called Kaiyu-shiki Tsukiyama Sensui Teien. The Rikugien Garden covers an area of nearly 10 hectare and is popularly known for the weeping cherry trees and autumn leaves that help to transform the garden into a paradise. Visitors at the garden get to enjoy an ever changing landscape that is characterized by autumn foliage although the 15 meters tall Shidare cherry blossom tree is perhaps its greatest attraction. The autumn leaves are especially stunning around the stream that runs next to the Chaya teahouse, which is located close to the Togetsukyo Bridge. For those that love history and architecture, the garden is also a great representation of what architecture looked like during the Edo Period. Do not miss the illumination at night (until 9:00 pm) during cherry blossom season and autmn foliage.

  • Rikugien Garden
  • Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
  • Closed - December 29th till January 1st
  • Admission Fee - 300 yen (Adults), 150 yen (older than 65 years), free for Elementary School Children and younger
  • Rikugien Garden Illumination
  • Opening Hours - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (last entry 8:30 pm)
  • When - mid November till early December

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the fascinating city Tokyo with a local guide. Check out this page > for more details about this tour.

History

The garden was built by feudal lord Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu (1658 - 1714) during the Edo Period. Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu was given the mandate to construct the gardens in 1695 after he was given the land by the then 5th Shogun known as Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu’s love for Japanese poems is what inspired him to design the Rikugien Gardens to represent the scenes included in the poems. The construction of the Rikugien Gardens was finished in 1702 complete with a man-made hill (tsukiyama), as well a river and a lake (sensui). During the creation of the garden, Samurai Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu designed the gardens to reflect 88 famous settings in poems; however, only 18 can be enjoyed today. Iwasaki Yatoro (1835 - 1885), the founder of the Mitsubishi group purchased the park in 1878 and started restoring it. Later his younger brother Iwasaki Yanosuke (1851 - 1908) finished the project. Rikugien was donated in 1938 to the city of Tokyo to become a public park. In 1953 the garden was declared a special place of scenic beauty by the Japanese government.

Location

Map of Japan

Rikugien Garden is located in the quiet neighborhood of Sugamo and Komagome in the north of central Tokyo.
Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

How to get to Rikugien Garden?

  • 6min from Komagome Station served by JR Yamanote Line

Sightseeing spots

Top:

Fukiage Chaya teahouse - It is a great resting point if the walking around becomes too tiresome. Enjoy a matcha-tea for 510 yen and some Japanese sweets (nama-wagashi).

Fujishirotoge Viewpoint - The artificial mountain pass with an height of 35 meter offers you great views over the garden.

Togetsukyo - Two large rocks were used the create this bridge, which is leading to a man-made island in the middle of the lake. Togetsukyo was named after a famous Waka poem.

Shidare Sakura - The weeping cherry trees located right after the main gate are one of the biggest attractions within the Rikugien garden.

Tsutsuji-no-chaya - This open teahouse offers great views especially during the autmn season.

Shinsentei teahouse - Another beautiful teahouse and the perfect spot for a little break.

Naka-no-shima - You can find on this small island two hills with the name Imo-yama and Se-yama. Those hills represent the mythical male (Izanagi) and female (Izanami) deities based of ancient Japanese believes.

Garyu-seki - This rock within the large pond is representing a sleeping dragon.

Naitei-Daimon - It is the only remaining seawater pond within Tokyo.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

Mid Nov – Early Dec

Autumn Evening Illumination
The illumination at Rikugien Garden should be a must-see on your Tokyo sightseeing list.

My 100 Best Moments in Japan

Yokohama Street Scene

I have visited Japan nearly every year since 2004. This is my collection of the 100 best moments in my favorite country. Enjoy the pictures and I hope you will start your own journey soon.
Find out more >

Books about Japan

My recommended books about Japan

Reading books is a great source of inspiration for me. Check out my recommended list of books about the fascinating country Japan.
My Book recommendations >