Shinjuku Gyoen Park
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most popular parks. Just a short walk from Shinjuku station, the park’s vast lawns, cobbled paths and serene landscape provide a relaxing escape from the bustling urban center that surrounds it. In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see the cherry blossoms.
History
It was created during the Edo period (1603-1867) as the residence of the feudal lord of Tokyo. It was then transformed into a botanical garden before being transferred to the imperial family in 1903, who used it for the leisure and entertainment of visitors. The park was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War, but was eventually rebuilt and reopened as a public park in 1949. The park comprises three different types of garden:
The oldest is a traditional Japanese landscape garden with large lakes filled with islands and bridges. Well-tended shrubs and trees surround the water, as do numerous pavilions and the Kyu Goryotei (also known as the Taiwan Pavilion), built for the Showa emperor’s wedding. A chrysanthemum exhibition is held during the first two weeks of November in the Japanese garden, with flower displays and large temporary pavilions erected around the grounds.
The park’s other main gardens include a symmetrical formal garden and an English landscape garden with spacious, open lawns surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The rest of the park consists of woods, lawns and various structures, including a restaurant, information center and art gallery. There’s also a beautiful greenhouse with many tropical and subtropical flowers.
Shinjuku Gyoen is home to a large number of cherry blossom trees, with over a dozen different varieties. From late March to early April, over 400 wooden Yoshino trees bloom around the English Garden, transforming the lawns into one of Taiwa’s most popular and pleasant spots. The park also boasts many early and late cherry blossoms, extending the cherry blossom season (mid-March to late April) for those who miss the main season. It’s also pleasant to visit in autumn, when the leaves change. Many different types of tree change color in the park, but maples are particularly beautiful and can be seen in large numbers around the Japanese garden and Momijiyama (maple mountain) on the east side of the park. The colors generally appear from mid-November to mid-December.
Video
How to get to the park
Shinjuku Gyoen has three gates: Shinjuku Gate is a 10-minute walk east from JR Shinjuku Station’s “New South Exit” station, or a 5-minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae station on the Marunouchi subway line. The Okido Gate is also a five-minute walk from Shinjukugyoenmae station on the Marunouchi subway line. Finally, the Sendagaya Gate is a five-minute walk from JR Sendagaya station on the local Chuo/Sobu line.
Hours and charges
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (admission until 4:00 p.m.)
Closed: Monday (or next day if Monday is a public holiday), December 29 to January 3. No closing days during the cherry blossom season (late March to late April) and the chrysanthemum fair (first half of November).
Admission: 200 yen
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
