Tokyo’s Hamarikyu Garden

The Shogun’s Edo retreat

Tomoko Kamishima Jun 26, 2012 - 1 min read

Japanese matcha (powdered green tea) served with Japanese sweets.

The garden is surrounded by tall office buildings on every side, but is still beautiful.

The Shogun used to catch ducks in the pond with nets.

You can enjoy strolling among various kinds of flowers, depending on the season.

Beato's photo of the park 150 years ago.

The pine and nearby architecture create some stunning combinations.

Notice

Temporary hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Latest on Hamarikyu Gardens

Once a vacation home of a Daimyo, a Shogun and the Emperor, the water level of the biggest pond inside this beautiful garden ebbs and flows along with the tides of the adjoining Tokyo Bay. Sitting in the teahouse in the middle of the pond, the Shogun and his attendants must have enjoyed a dynamic view of cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, a full moon in autumn, and a crisp, clear blue sky in winter.

More info

Find out more about Hamarikyu Gardens.

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...