Koishikawa Korakuen

What to know

Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園) is one of Tokyo's oldest and finest Japanese gardens. Built in the early Edo period (1600–1868) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family, it shares its name with Okayama's Korakuen. The name comes from a poem that urges a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after ensuring his people's happiness. Koishikawa is the district where the garden lies.

Like many traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen recreates famous landscapes in miniature using ponds, stones, trees, and artificial hills to depict both Japanese and Chinese scenery. A network of paths guides visitors to designated viewpoints. Despite the modern backdrop of Tokyo Dome and other distant buildings, the garden remains a beautiful natural retreat from urban Tokyo.

Koishikawa Korakuen is lovely year-round, but especially in late November and early December during autumn foliage season. Dozens of maple trees around the three ponds turn vibrant shades of orange and red. Near the east entrance, a small grove of ginkgo trees turns golden yellow in autumn.

The garden is also pleasant during plum season from mid-February to March and cherry blossom season, usually late March to early April, featuring early-blooming weeping cherry trees near the west entrance. A rice field can be found toward the rear of the garden.

Koishikawa Korakuen has east and west entrances. The east entrance is a 3-minute walk from Suidobashi Station on the JR Chuo Line (local, yellow trains only). The west entrance is a 5–10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station on the JR Chuo Line (local, yellow trains only) and the Tozai, Yurakucho, Namboku, and Oedo subway lines, or a 10-minute walk from Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi and Namboku subway lines.