What other travelers are saying about Rikugien Garden
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We were lucky enough to find out about their autumn illumination event. We bought tickets ahead of time. What a delightful experience! They had little food stalls, projection mapping, plenty of seating, and of course beautiful up-lit momiji trees. It was mostly local residents enjoying the event. One of my favorite memories from my trip!
Beautiful garden all year round. There is a yearly pass if you live nearby for unlimited access, this is a strong recommendation! It was quite crowded in the late summer, but most of the time it's been peaceful.
Beautiful garden! It’s full of history for visitors to explore. With leaves changing colour there are lots of spots to take pictures. Many trails around the pond and around the perimeter. Can readily spend 2+ hours here.
Nice and quiet small park in the middle of Tokyo. For those who are looking for a brief getaway from city vibe, this place is the go-to. The park was very beautiful, and well maintained. There was a small lake in the middle with a few bridges and brooks in the park that creates a great contrast with plants. We came in Autumn so the foliage is really mesmerising.
