Tokyo Sights

Guidebooks

Shinjuku Gyo-en National Garden

Shinjuku Gyo-en National Garden Review

This lovely 150-acre park was once the estate of the powerful Naito family of feudal lords, who were among the most trusted retainers of the Tokugawa shoguns. After World War II, the grounds were finally opened to the public. It's a perfect place for leisurely walks: paths wind past ponds and bridges, artificial hills, thoughtfully placed stone lanterns, and more than 3,000 kinds of plants, shrubs, and trees. There are different gardens in Japanese, French, and English styles, as well as a greenhouse (the nation's first, built in 1885) filled with tropical plants. The best times to visit are April, when 75 different species of cherry trees—some 1,500 trees in all—are in bloom, and the first two weeks of November, during the chrysanthemum exhibition.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo | Map It
  • Phone: 03/3350-0151
  • Cost: ¥200
  • Hours: Tues.-Sun. 9-4; also open Mon. 9-4 in cherry-blossom season (late Mar. to early Apr.)
  • Subway: Marunouchi subway line, Shinjuku Gyo-en-mae Station (Exit 1).
  • Location: Shinjuku

Member Reviews

  • enrique, from Dallas TX
    4/22/07

    Incredibly beautiful park in the middle of Shinjuku. I was lucky to go in April, when you can see the cherry blossoms. Totally awesome!

    Ratings details: Experience: 5 | Ease: 5 | Value: 5 | Don't Miss: 5
Add your own review

· Browse Tokyo sights

By Location

Travel Deals in Tokyo

View all travel deals

· Forums Trip Reports

View more trip reports

·

  • Self drive holiday

    My travelling companion and I are planning a self drive holiday in Japan in early April; primarily to see the sakura, experience onsen at the highlands in central Honshu.
    Some questions :
    1) is it bette Read more

View more travel discussions

· Travel Blog

View more blog stories