Discover The 7 Most Beautiful Japanese Gardens In Tokyo

Top 7 Most Beautiful Japanese Gardens In Tokyo

Hama-rikyu Gardens

Nestled in the heart of Tokyo's Shiodome district, Hama-rikyu Gardens offers a peaceful retreat with a deep connection to Japan’s feudal past. Once the private hunting grounds of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603–1867), this traditional daimyo garden now sits quietly beneath the shadows of glass towers.

The garden is unique for its integration with water. Located on a small island at the mouth of the Sumida River, it's surrounded by a tidal moat once connected directly to Tokyo Bay. Visitors can even arrive by Tokyo Water Bus from Asakusa, adding a scenic touch to the journey.

At the center lies a vast tidal pond, home to two picturesque islands. One features a restored teahouse, ideal for experiencing matcha with a garden view. Stroll over the arched wooden bridges, admire the iconic 300-year-old black pine tree, and enjoy the masterful balance of space and stillness.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

A serene refuge in the middle of one of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a stunning blend of Japanese, English, and French garden styles. Originally built as an imperial estate in the late 19th century, it was later opened to the public in 1946. Today, it's one of the city’s most cherished green spaces.

Fans of Japanese animation may recognize its scenery from Makoto Shinkai’s acclaimed anime film The Garden of Words. But beyond its cinematic fame, Shinjuku Gyoen is beloved for its vast lawns, elegant pavilions, and seasonal beauty.

This 58.3-hectare garden offers year-round appeal. In spring, it becomes one of Tokyo’s top spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing), featuring over 1,000 sakura trees in full bloom. In autumn, fiery maple leaves reflect across tranquil ponds. Each of the garden’s zones—whether the manicured French rose beds or the peaceful Japanese landscape garden—offers a unique view of nature's rhythm.

Rikugien Garden

Tucked away in Bunkyo ward, Rikugien Garden is a classic example of an Edo-period strolling garden, where winding paths reveal scenic views step by step. Though located in central Tokyo, its high walls and lush foliage make it feel like a world apart—quiet, contemplative, and steeped in history.

Built in the early 1700s for Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a feudal lord under the Tokugawa shogunate, Rikugien means “Garden of the Six Principles of Poetry”—a nod to the art and literary culture of the time.

The garden shines in spring, when visitors gather beneath its magnificent weeping cherry tree, which glows in the evening during seasonal illumination events. In autumn, Japanese maple trees set the landscape ablaze with brilliant red and gold leaves, drawing photographers and leaf-peepers alike.

Year-round, the garden offers timeless charm. Take a peaceful break at Fukiage Chaya, the traditional tea house nestled beside the central pond. For around ¥1,000, you can enjoy a bowl of matcha green tea with wagashi, traditional Japanese confections crafted to reflect the season.

Kiyosumi Garden

Located in Tokyo’s Koto ward, Kiyosumi Garden is a masterclass in Meiji-era design, where artful landscaping meets peaceful water features. The garden’s central pond, surrounded by meticulously placed stones and lush greenery, invites visitors on a scenic walk through a living postcard of Japanese tranquility.

The garden’s layout follows the kaiyu-shiki (strolling garden) style, where each footpath, island, and view is carefully curated to immerse visitors in the landscape. Stepping stones (isowatari) guide you across shallow sections of the pond, where koi fish glide beneath your feet and the reflections of pines and seasonal foliage ripple on the surface.

What truly sets Kiyosumi apart is its collection of dramatic landscape stones. Their precise arrangement enhances the garden’s three islands and adds a sense of permanence and artistry to every scene.

Look for turtles sunbathing on rock outcrops, or herons and ducks resting near the pond’s edge. Kiyosumi Garden is a quiet, contemplative space that offers one of the most immersive nature walks in the city, just a short stroll from Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station.

Koishikawa Korakuen

Nestled quietly beside the buzz of Tokyo Dome City, Koishikawa Korakuen offers a striking contrast—an elegant, centuries-old garden that feels worlds away from the energy of nearby amusements. Established in 1629 by Tokugawa Yorifusa, a feudal lord and son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the garden is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most historically significant.

Though now only a quarter of its original size, Koishikawa Korakuen retains its Edo-period charm, with winding paths, stone bridges, reflective ponds, and miniature landscapes that recreate famous scenic spots from across Japan and China. These elements were inspired by Confucian ideals and were designed to evoke both beauty and philosophical reflection.

Visitors can stroll through gently rolling hills, cross charming vermilion bridges, and pause at quiet viewpoints overlooking willow-framed ponds. In spring, cherry blossoms add a soft blush to the landscape, while autumn brings a brilliant canopy of red and gold.

Tonogayato Garden

Tucked away in Kokubunji, Tonogayato Garden is a lesser-known gem that offers a rich blend of history, natural beauty, and quiet charm. Built between 1913 and 1915 as the private villa of Eguchi Teijo, then vice president of the South Manchurian Railway, the estate was later acquired in 1929 by Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi. His influence remains in the traditional teahouse that still graces the garden today.

Unlike the more manicured Japanese gardens of central Tokyo, Tonogayato embraces a more naturalistic landscape. Its charm lies in its topographical variety—gentle hills give way to forested slopes, a bamboo grove, and a shimmering spring-fed pond reached via a small waterfall that flows through a lush ravine.

The garden is also home to one of Tokyo’s designated cultural assets, thanks to its preserved woodland and biodiversity. Visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, bird calls echoing through the bamboo, and scenic paths that feel far removed from city life.

Hokkokuji Temple

While technically outside Tokyo, a visit to Hokkokuji Temple in Kamakura is well worth the scenic hour-long train ride from the capital. Nestled among Kamakura’s historic temples and forested hills, Hokkokuji is a peaceful retreat best known for its intimate yet enchanting bamboo grove—a must-see for lovers of nature and traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Originally built in the 14th century as a family temple for the powerful Ashikaga clan, Hokkokuji offers a serene setting that blends spiritual heritage with natural beauty. As you walk through the grove, tall bamboo stalks sway gently above a stone path, filtering sunlight into soft green hues. Tucked within the grove is a quiet teahouse, where you can enjoy a traditional serving of matcha and wagashi for just ¥600—a peaceful moment to savor the surroundings.

Just before the grove, visitors pass through a karensui (dry landscape garden), where intricately raked gravel patterns reflect Zen philosophy and encourage quiet contemplation. You’ll also spot three small caves carved into the hillside—believed to be the final resting places of Kamakura-period samurai and priests, including Ietoki and Yoshihisa Ashikaga.