Koishikawa Botanical Garden

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden, officially known as the University of Tokyo's Koishikawa Botanical Gardens, is one of Japan's oldest botanical institutions, established in 1684 during the Edo period. Originally created as a medicinal herb garden for the Tokugawa shogunate, it served as a practical resource for studying and cultivating plants used in traditional medicine. The garden transitioned to the University of Tokyo in 1877 and has since functioned as a research and educational facility while remaining open to the public.

Spanning approximately 16 hectares in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, the garden houses over 4,000 plant species from Japan and around the world. Its collections include both native Japanese flora and exotic specimens, with specialized sections devoted to medicinal plants, aquatic plants, and endangered species. The garden's layout preserves elements of traditional Japanese garden design while incorporating systematic botanical classifications, creating a unique blend of aesthetic and scientific presentation. Notable features include historic trees that are several centuries old, traditional Japanese landscape elements, and conservatories displaying tropical and subtropical plants.

Visitors can explore winding paths that lead through diverse plant communities, from dense woodland areas to open lawns and specialized thematic gardens. The garden is particularly renowned during cherry blossom season in spring and for its vibrant autumn foliage displays. The grounds also contain the former residence of a prominent Meiji-era scholar and various historical monuments that reflect the site's long academic heritage. The garden serves as both a peaceful retreat from urban Tokyo and an educational resource, with labeled specimens and seasonal botanical exhibitions.

The garden is located in the Hakusan area of Bunkyo Ward, accessible via Hakusan Station on the Toei Mita Line or Myogadani Station on the Toei Marunouchi Line, both requiring approximately a 10-minute walk. Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line is also nearby. Admission costs ¥500 for adults and ¥150 for children, with the garden closed on Mondays and during the New Year holiday period.