Hama Rikyu

What to know

Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū) is a spacious and beautiful landscape garden in central Tokyo. Situated along Tokyo Bay, it features seawater ponds that rise and fall with the tides, plus a teahouse on an island where visitors can relax and take in the views. The traditional garden design contrasts sharply with the modern skyscrapers of the neighboring Shiodome district.

Over the centuries, the garden has served various roles. Originally built as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo Period (1603–1867), it later became a strolling garden and an imperial detached palace before opening to the public. Traces of these past functions remain, including reconstructed duck hunting blinds, remnants of an old moat, and a rebuilt rock wall.

Hama Rikyu is attractive in every season. While not as famous for autumn foliage as some other Tokyo gardens, it has plenty of maple, ginkgo, and other trees that display beautiful fall colors from late November to early December.

Late February brings plum blossoms, and the cherry blossom season from late March to early April is pleasant, though less crowded than other hanami spots. Spring also features fields of peonies and canola blossoms.

The garden is a 10–15 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station or a 5–10 minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Oedo Subway Line and the Yurikamome elevated train.

Hama Rikyu can also be reached from Asakusa via a limited number of Tokyo Water Buses (35 minutes, 1180 yen one way including garden admission). Note that water buses do not stop at Hama Rikyu in the opposite direction, and currently it is only possible to disembark there, not board.