When was rikugien garden built?

Rikugien Garden was constructed around 1700 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a daimyo (feudal lord) and close associate of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi. It was designed to reflect the themes of famous Japanese poems, creating a landscape rich in literary and aesthetic significance.

What does "Rikugien" mean?

The name "Rikugien" translates to "six poems garden." It signifies the garden's design inspiration, which is based on the concept of representing scenes from famous poems, particularly those that depict natural landscapes and seasons.

What are the main features of Rikugien Garden?

Rikugien Garden is known for its scenic beauty, featuring a large central pond, several hills, walking paths, and a network of streams and bridges. The garden is a prime example of a "strolling garden," where visitors can enjoy the changing scenery along the paths.

What are the best times to visit Rikugien Garden?

The best times to visit are during the cherry blossom season in spring (late March to early April) and the autumn foliage season (late November to early December). During these periods, the garden showcases its most spectacular scenery.

How to get to Rikugien Garden?

Rikugien Garden is easily accessible by public transport. The closest subway station is Komagome Station, served by the JR Yamanote Line and the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line. From the station, it's just a short walk to the garden.

A vibrant Japanese garden in autumn with colorful trees, a pond, walking paths, and people enjoying the scenery; city buildings are visible in the background under a clear sky.

A tranquil garden scene at dusk, featuring a small, arching wooden bridge over a gently flowing stream. The surrounding trees display vibrant autumn foliage in red, orange, and yellow hues, illuminated by soft, ambient lighting.

A serene Japanese garden featuring a stone bridge over a calm pond, surrounded by lush green trees and bushes, with reflections visible in the water.

A tranquil garden scene with a pond reflecting colorful autumn trees, green plants, and a moss-covered stone path leading alongside the water. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled light on the foliage.

A blue-lit gazebo stands on a wooden pier over calm water, surrounded by autumn trees with red and orange leaves, all illuminated at night and reflected in the water.

Tokyo

Rikugien Garden

4.4 (10646)GardenTourist AttractionParkPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated May 10, 2026

Rikugien Garden in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo is a lovely Japanese landscape garden. Built in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a samurai who served the 5th Tokugawa shogun, it’s famous for its scenery and Edo period style.

The name Rikugien means “Six Poems Garden” after the six types of waka poetry. The garden is about 87,000 square meters and has a big pond, islands, and man made hills connected by winding paths. One of the most famous spots is Tsutsuji Chaya, a tea house where you can enjoy traditional tea while looking at the garden.

Rikugien has its charm in every season. In spring, cherry blossoms line the paths. Summer turns the garden into a green haven. Autumn is the most beautiful, with the maples and ginkgos turning red and yellow. Winter is peaceful and quiet, especially when the garden is lit up at night.

You can walk around the pond and enjoy the views, arranged trees, and stones. Rikugien Garden is a tranquil retreat where nature and history meet to escape city noise.

Hours

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 3-3941-2222

Website

www.tokyo-park.or.jp

Overview

Address

6-chōme-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan

Hours

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Traveler reviews

Can't go wrong for 300 yen entrance fee. There aren't many sitting areas around the lake, so you're usually in a less scenic area if you want some shaded rest. We spent about an hour here. Very nice reprieve from the city. Would be tough to spend a lot more time than that unless you want to grab some sweets at the tea house (which did have nice lake view seating). Grounds very impressively maintained and I imagine it's amazing to come here during more flower-blooming seasons.

Frisco Poenisch

Jun 1, 2026

Very meticulously designed. One needs to understand the designer’s intent before being able to appreciate. Try to mimic great Japanese natural beauty in miniature. It works, and the gardening is top tier. Worth the time and money even though we missed the booming of the big Sakura 🌸 tree. May not be a bad thing as the queue could be long if in season.

Siu Fai Leung

May 5, 2026

3/19/26 visit. Beginning of cherry blossom season. Came for the biannual evening event. So beautiful! Lovely garden, even without the blossoms. The walk is so peaceful, and we loved getting a break to stare at the pond from the tea house.

Siqi Jean Yang

Mar 19, 2026

Absolutely beautiful garden with a nice pond in the middle. Super affordable entry fee that can be bought at the entrance. Recommend coming earlier in the day because we noticed it getting busier when we left around 11:30am. Try to find the stairs to climb up to the top of the hill because it gives a great vantage point for a photo of most of the garden. There is also a teahouse located in the centre that serves matcha tea and mochi, though it seemed a little expensive. Posting just a few of my photos but really recommend checking it out for yourself!

Brandon C

Jan 12, 2026

There is a massive sakura tree at the entrance, but we haven’t had the opportunity to see it bloom (went in the middle of March). I like that this place is less crowded and you can grab a cup of green tea by the pond.

Igor Kheison

Mar 25, 2026

Places & attractions near Rikugien Garden

A traditional Japanese shrine with ornate gold and red detailing, a green tiled roof, and wooden fencing, viewed from a stone path leading to the entrance. Trees are visible in the background.

Nezu Shrine

A themed café interior featuring a large Pompompurin character statue in the center, surrounded by pastel-colored decorations, plush toys, and people in matching uniforms walking by.

Pompompurin Cafe

A large owl with orange eyes and mottled brown and cream feathers sits on a surface outdoors, with leafy green foliage in the background.

Owl Cafe Tokyo

A modern city building with a white façade featuring multiple arched windows, located at a street corner. The adjacent building displays the letters “GSIX” in gold on a dark background. The streets around are empty.

Ginza Six

Places & attractions near Rikugien Garden

Nezu Shrine

Pompompurin Cafe

Owl Cafe Tokyo

Ginza Six

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo

Rikugien Garden

4.4 (10646)GardenTourist AttractionParkPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated May 10, 2026

You can walk around the pond and enjoy the views, arranged trees, and stones. Rikugien Garden is a tranquil retreat where nature and history meet to escape city noise.

Hours

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone

+81 3-3941-2222

Website

www.tokyo-park.or.jp