If you want to relax and have an unforgettable vacation in Tokyo, then the Rikugi-en Garden must be on your list. Seeing one of the most beautiful landscapes in Japan, in addition to Koishikawa Korakuen, will definitely capture your breath, as it offers you one-of-a-kind scenery.
History
The Rikugi-en Garden was constructed between 1695 and 1702 and initiated by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu with the permission of the 5th Tokugawa Shogun. Believed to be the most wonderful garden designed with a Japanese landscape, Rikugien means “six poems garden” in the literal sense, and truly, replicates eighty-eight scenes that are minute and which are derived from renowned products of poetry.
With its trail-connected features like a garden where you can leisurely walk or promenade, an outsized pond located at the center which is encircled with artificial hills and forest areas, the Rikugi-en Garden conjures the atmosphere of the Edo Period.
The Garden
The entire garden is spacious and it will take both international and local tourists an hour to stroll the whole network of paths designed for a leisurely walk. You can also find various teahouses that will welcome you with smiles and specially brewed teas.
For instance, the Fukiage Chaya teahouse can be found at the pond’s shore (north-west part). A cup of nice tea, hospitable Japanese, rich cultural heritage, and splendid scenery are just some of the guaranteed offers of the Rikugien Garden.
Access
Rikugi-en Park receives visitors from 9am to 5pm. If you plan to visit the garden, there is a 300 yen admission fee. If you want to witness one of the Tokyo’s paramount autumn color destinations, visit the garden from late November to December. Also, if you are fond of seeing the trees, flowers, and shrubs bloom, April to May are the months to remember.
