Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑), also known as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, is one of the largest and most popular parks in Tokyo. Just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, it offers expansive lawns, winding pathways, and serene landscapes, providing a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
How to get to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
Address: 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
The nearest subway stations are Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station (Marunouchi Line) and Sendagaya Station (JR Chuo-Sobu Line). The garden is just a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station.
History of Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen was originally established in the early 17th century as the residence of the Naito family, a daimyo (feudal lord) family during the Edo period (1603–1868). In 1906, it was transformed into the Imperial Botanical Garden, serving as a private retreat for the Imperial family. After World War II, the garden was opened to the public, allowing visitors to experience its historical and cultural significance.
Covering 58.3 hectares with a 3.5-kilometer circumference, Shinjuku Gyoen represents the modern Western garden style of the Meiji era (1868–1912). It seamlessly blends three distinct garden designs—French formal, English landscape, and traditional Japanese—allowing visitors to transition between different cultural landscapes within a single park. Designed by French landscape architect Henry Martinet (1867-1936), the garden remains one of the most significant and well-preserved examples of Meiji-era landscape architecture.
Japanese Traditional Garden
The Japanese Traditional Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen is a prime example of Japanese landscape design, carefully crafted to reflect the harmony between humans and nature. Every element—trees, stones, bridges, and water features—is thoughtfully arranged to create a sense of balance and tranquility.
At the heart of the garden are serene ponds, where reflections of the surrounding trees and bridges enhance the peaceful atmosphere. These ponds symbolize the purity and stillness of nature, embodying the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
During spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the Japanese garden takes on a particularly enchanting ambiance, attracting visitors who come to admire the delicate beauty of the sakura in this tranquil setting.
French Formal Garden
Surprisingly, in the heart of this Japanese metropolis, visitors can find a beautifully designed French-style garden within Shinjuku Gyoen. The garden’s central walkway is lined with meticulously trimmed trees and hedges, creating a symmetrical and elegant landscape.
Adding to its charm, the garden features large flower beds that burst into vibrant color during spring and summer, when roses and other seasonal flowers are in full bloom. This blend of precise geometric design and seasonal beauty offers a striking contrast to the surrounding natural landscapes of the park.
English Landscape Garden
The English Landscape Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen stands in contrast to the structured elegance of the French Formal Garden, embracing a more natural and open design. This style, which emerged in 18th-century England, sought to recreate the beauty of the natural landscape rather than impose strict symmetry and order.
Expansive lawns, gently rolling terrain, and freely arranged trees characterize this area of the park, offering a spacious and relaxing environment. The garden’s design encourages visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature in an informal setting, making it an ideal place for leisurely walks and peaceful reflection.
Greenhouse
The Shinjuku Gyoen Greenhouse is an imperial botanical facility originally built in the 1950s and later renovated in 2012. Designed to cultivate exotic plants from around the world, it stands as a testament to Japan’s modernization and dedication to botanical research.
Inside, visitors can explore a diverse collection of rare and tropical plants that cannot survive outdoors in Tokyo’s climate. As both an architectural landmark and a scientific research center, the greenhouse plays a vital role in plant conservation and education. Equipped with advanced climate control systems, it provides optimal conditions for plants from various climate zones, ensuring their preservation and growth year-round.
Taiwan Pavilion (Kyu Goryotei)
The Taiwan Pavilion, also known as Kyu Goryotei, was built in 1928 to commemorate Emperor Hirohito’s wedding. Designed in the traditional Chinese architectural style, it is one of the few remaining examples of Taisho-era garden architecture.
The pavilion was a gift from Taiwan to Japan, symbolizing the friendly relations between the two nations at the time. Its interior features intricate wood carvings and traditional Chinese motifs, adding to its historical and cultural significance.
Situated on an elevated area within Shinjuku Gyoen, the pavilion provides a scenic view of the Japanese garden and its ponds, making it a perfect spot to relax and take in the surrounding beauty.
Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Tree Area
One of the most anticipated events at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is the cherry blossom season, when the park transforms into a breathtaking pink wonderland. With one of the largest collections of cherry trees in Tokyo, it is a must-visit destination during hanami, the traditional Japanese celebration of cherry blossoms.
Shinjuku Gyoen is home to around 1,000 cherry trees, representing more than 20 different species. This diversity extends the sakura season longer than in other parts of Tokyo, typically starting in mid-March and lasting until mid-April.
Cherry Blossom Varieties at Shinjuku Gyoen
- Somei Yoshino (染井吉野 ソメイヨシノ) – The most famous sakura species in Japan, recognized for its delicate white and pale pink flowers. These trees bloom early in the season, creating an iconic "rain of pink" as their petals fall gracefully to the ground.
- Yamazakura (山桜) – An ancient cherry tree species with darker pink blossoms that appear alongside its leaves. This species has a deep connection to Japanese history and is admired for its natural beauty and resilience.
- Yaezakura (八重桜) – A late-blooming sakura variety known for its multi-layered, lush pink flowers. With more petals than other cherry blossoms, Yaezakura blooms later in the season, adding vibrant color when most other sakura trees have already shed their petals.
Plan Your Visit
Since peak bloom typically lasts only one to two weeks, it’s important to keep an eye on the annual sakura bloom forecasts to experience the cherry blossoms at their finest. Visitors planning a trip specifically for hanami should check the latest updates to ensure they don’t miss this fleeting yet spectacular event.
Visitors can purchase admission tickets at the ticket office on the day of their visit. For added convenience, tickets can also be purchased online, allowing visitors to skip the lines and enter the garden more quickly.
Opening Hours
- Regular Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM).
- Seasonal Extensions: During cherry blossom season and autumn foliage season, the garden attracts large crowds, and opening hours may be extended. For example, during sakura season, the garden may remain open until 6:00 PM to accommodate more visitors.
Closing Days
- Mondays: The garden is closed every Monday. However, if Monday falls on a national holiday, the closure is moved to the next working day.
- New Year’s Holidays: The garden is closed from December 29 to January 3 for the New Year’s celebration.