Location: Tokyo
Top Things to do in Tokyo
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What to do and see in Tokyo, Kanto: The Best Gardens
Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Tsukiji Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.
Restaurants in Tokyo
1. Rikugien Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 965 reviews
Reviewed By Sarah53187 - Dunedin, New Zealand
A large, traditional Japanese landscape garden with lots of paths for walking & viewing the garden from different angles. A large pond in the middle is dotted with islands, while paths wind around the island, up and down hills, through trees, over bridges - all creating the illusion of the garden being far bigger than it is. I visited in the mid-afternoon on a sunny day when the large weeping cherry tree was in bloom - it was gorgeous! The garden was surprisingly not very busy. I imagine that if you came early in the morning it would be really quiet.
2. Hama Rikyu Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,915 reviews
This popular park is located next to Tokyo Bay and contains one of the most beautiful gardens in the city.
Reviewed By ghayman - Greenbelt, United States
Strolling through this well maintained and a peaceful 62-acre park is a recommended activity. There are meadows, paths, lakes, bridges, a tea house, a lighthouse, benches and even platforms where you can lie down and stretch out. This public park area, the "Hama Detached Palace Garden", was the former site of the old Imperial gardens of the Edo period. It reminds you of Central Park in New York City but to a smaller scale. The park is located in the Chuo area of Tokyo on the banks of the Sumida river and only a short walking distance from the former Tsukiji Fish Market (now moved to a new location.) One can stroll and admire the manicured gardens and landscape enjoying the peaceful tranquility and beauty of the surroundings. Entrance fee is ~$2.60 US ($1.30 Senior). There are restrooms available and several smoking areas. Other areas include flower displays, trees (including cherry trees), horse exercising, tea ceremony, stores, lakes, bridges, and even duck hunting. It is located close to the Tsukijishijo subway station on the Oedo line.
3. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 660 reviews
Reviewed By 253SA - Singapore, Singapore
This is one of Tokyo's many gardens, and rated as one of the best. Indeed it deserves the accolade. Though small and compact, the gardens has enough foliage to mesmerise, especially during the fall when the leaves are in varying stages of turning their colours. To any photographers out there, this is a paradise for you. The entrance fee of 300 yen is well worth the images you bring out.
4. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,151 reviews
Shinjuku Gyoen was constructed on the site of a private mansion belonging to Lord Naito, a "daimyo" (feudal lord) of the Edo era. Completed in 1906 as an imperial garden, it was re-designated as a national garden after the Second World War and opened to the public. With 58.3 ha(144 acres) in size and a circumference of 3.5 km, it blends three distinct styles, Formal Garden, Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden, and is considered to be one of the most important gardens from the Meiji era.
Reviewed By Cholo_Juan - Nathalia, Australia
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is perhaps the most beautiful garden in Tokyo, nestled in the heart of Shinjuku/Shibuya within walking distance of Shinjuku Station, this garden to me exemplifies a large Japanese garden, once the private garden of the Naitō family in the Edo period it is now under the management of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Autumn is a wonderful time to visit gardens in Japan, the combination of beautiful coloured foliage and stunning landscaping and vistas combine to give garden lovers an experience not to be missed, the garden is built around three lakes with plenty of paths to lead you on to one wonderful view after another, then a tea house or pavilion and then past sculpted beds of shrubs, across bridges and when finaly you need to rest you can sit at one of the cafes and enjoy a snack whilst contemplating the beauty of Japan.
5. Hotel New Otani Japanese Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 553 reviews
With a history of more than 400 years, the garden had in the past been the property of various known samurai lords. The 10-acre-ground features several ancient stone lanterns, scarlet bridges over koi ponds, a stone garden, waterfall, as well as a myriad of flowers and rich foliage that bloom or change colors from season to season. While nestled in the heart of this busy city, the quiet and peaceful ambience that enfolds the expanse provides a moment of repose to hotel guests and visitors alike. We hope you will come and enjoy the Japanese aesthetics and seasonal features when you come to stay with us or dine at our restaurants.
Reviewed By Venture731474
Large garden on property to walk in, many beautiful ponds and waterfalls. There are a couple restaurants tucked in the back of the gardens as well.
6. Happo-en Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Happo-en excels at planning, execution and prides itself on its ability to turn ideas into reality. Every event is unique and each project is overseen by a team specifically selected for each event every time. Our staff listen carefully to the ideas and requests of every customer to ensure every aspect of their ideal gathering come to full volition. We offer one-stop service starting from the initial meeting to the day of the event.
Reviewed By AdvtrTrvlr - Camarillo, United States
This is a great garden which is part of a hotel property and has all the traditional Japanese Garden features we were expecting from the little temple, a chapel where several couples were getting married, nice walkways, koi fish, sitting areas, a mini bamboo forest and lots of beautiful flowers and trees including bonsai trees. We would definitely recommend stopping to see this. It is near several other attractions if you are just wondering around so be on the lookout for it while walking around and using the pocket Wi-Fi that is highly recommended by all to help get around.
7. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
Chinzanso was quite nice, though past peak when we visited in early December. It is quite wonderful that the hotel opens up such a lovely place for free for visitors who are not guests of the hotel. We dressed up for our visit, since the hotel has such a posh clientele. (We were dismayed by, and a bit embarrassed for, the really sloppily dressed and loud folks who arrived with a tour group no less!) The garden is a wedding venue. We saw at least 3 weddings and a few wedding photo shoots - a stunningly dressed bride placed perfectly with the pond or red trees as a background. We had to be careful as we walked around the pond taking care that we didn’t end up in one of the wedding photos. The weddings themselves produced among other things distant photo ops of family groups, brides having rose petals thrown at them, and women dressed in elegant kimonos In addition to the pond, there are lots of things to see - momiji, of course, an ancient and sacred tree, stone lanterns and statues, a pagoda and more. Each path brings different landscape views in this lovely stroll garden. There were even signs in Japanese and English describing some of the statues, buildings and trees Definitely worth a visit.
8. Kiyosumi Teien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
Reviewed By V2361LAks
A beautiful Japanese Edo period park with ponds / lakes, bridges, fish, ducks, and lots of walkways and seats for quiet contemplation. Great for a relaxing stroll or gathering your thoughts.
9. Mejiro Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
Mejiro Garden was a real treat and a stunning hidden gem for foliage. Color in other gardens we visited in Tokyo was not great this year, but the day we visited Mejiro Garden it was at absolute peak. The garden is small and it takes a bit of work to find, but it is worth the effort. It is a short walk from Mejiro Station. There are signs posted along the street showing you where to go; the first is on the corner of Bakery Antendo. The walk is about 10 minutes through a primarily residential area with a few shops including “Ballerina” selling ballet costumes. The garden is surrounded by a wall - be careful not to walk right past it. No other Westerners were there when we visited. Several Japanese tourists, a small group of local senior citizens, a wedding photo shoot, and a small group of Chinese twenty-somethings were the only people there. The garden surrounds a large pond with a walking path going around 3 sides. The stroll garden has all the standard landscape features including an artificial hill, a small pagoda, a waterfall, a pavilion and wonderful plantings that in autumn were amazingly colorful. There are numerous photos ops from various locations on the path and there were at least 3 other photographers there while we visited. At the far end there is a grassy area which had several food stalls around it - all closed for business when we visited. On the fourth side of the pond there are benches underneath a veranda; the seniors were sitting on the these benches admiring the view. Above the veranda is a building which looked as if it could rented for functions and it also included a children’s play school. The bride and groom rested in the building after having their photos taken in the pavilion above the pond. There was no entry fee for the garden. The lovely ladies at the entrance asked us about our Japan trips, our visit to their garden, and then gave us a small gift.
