Rikugien Garden

What to know

Rikugien (六義園) is one of Tokyo's most exquisite Japanese landscape gardens. Built around 1700 for the fifth Tokugawa shogun, its name means "six poems garden," and it recreates 88 scenes from famous poems in miniature. This Edo-period strolling garden features a large central pond surrounded by artificial hills and wooded areas, all connected by a network of paths.

The garden is spacious, and a leisurely walk along the entire trail system takes about an hour. The paths wind through forests and open lawns, leading to several public teahouses. Fukiage Chaya, on the northwestern shore of the pond, is a lovely spot to enjoy some tea.

Autumn is one of the best times to visit, when the many maple trees turn Rikugien into a top Tokyo spot for fall colors. The views are especially beautiful along the stream near Tsutsuji no Chaya teahouse, around Togetsukyo Bridge, and from the Fujishirotoge viewpoint. Peak colors typically occur from late November to early December.

Spring is also delightful, with various flowering trees and shrubs in bloom. The weeping cherry trees near the main gate usually flower from late March to early April, and the azalea bushes along the central pond's shore bloom from April to May.

The main entrance is on the eastern side of the park, a 5–10 minute walk south of Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Namboku Subway Line. The more convenient Someimon Gate is open to the public only for a few weeks in autumn (late November to early December) and spring (late March to early April).