Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
185
such visiting dignitaries as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Come here to see how the upper classes
enjoyed themselves during the Edo Period. The garden contains an inner tidal pool,
spanned by three bridges draped with wisteria (views from the south end of the garden
are the most picturesque). There are also other ponds; a refuge for ducks, herons, and
migratory birds; a promenade along the bay lined with pine trees; a 300-year-old pine;
moon-viewing pavilions; and teahouses (powdered green tea and a sweet will cost you
¥500). Plan on at least an hour's stroll to see everything, but the best reason for coming
here is to board a ferry from the garden's pier bound for Asakusa, with departures every
hour (or more often) between 10:35am and 4:15pm; the fare is ¥720 one-way.
1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo-ku.
&
03/3541-0200.
Admission ¥300 adults, ¥150 seniors, free for children
12 and under. Daily 9am-5pm. Station: Shiodome (exit 5, 5 min.) or Tsukiji-shijo (7 min.).
Rikugien Garden
Though not as centrally located or as easy to reach as
Tokyo's other famous gardens, this one is a must for fans of traditional Japanese gardens
and is probably my favorite. It was created in 1702 by a trusted confidante of the shogun,
who began as a page and rose to the highest rank as a feudal lord. During the Meiji Era,
the founder of Mitsubishi took it over for his second residence and later donated it to the
city. What I like most about the garden is that it's dominated by a pond in its center,
complete with islands and islets, viewing hills, and strolling paths around its perimeter,
providing enchanting views. The garden is especially famous for its changing maple
leaves in autumn. Because it takes some effort to reach, you'll probably want to enjoy at
least an hour here.
6-16-3 Hon-Komagome, Bunkyo-ku.
&
03/3941-2222.
Admission ¥300 adults, ¥150 seniors, free for
children 12 and under. Daily 9am-5pm. Station: Komagome (8 min.) or Sengoku (10 min.).
Shinjuku Gyoen
Formerly the private estate of a feudal lord and then of
the Imperial family, this is considered one of the most important parks of the Meiji Era.
It's wonderful for strolling because of the variety of its planted gardens; styles range from
French and English to Japanese traditional. This place amazes me every time I come here.
The park's 58 hectares (143 acres) make it one of the city's largest, and each bend in the
pathway brings something completely different: Ponds and sculpted bushes give way to
a promenade lined with sycamores that opens onto a rose garden. Cherry blossoms,
azaleas, chrysanthemums, and other flowers provide splashes of color from spring
through autumn. The Japanese garden, buried in the center, is exquisite; if you have time
only for a quick look at traditional landscaping, you won't be disappointed here. There
are also wide grassy expanses, popular for picnics and playing, and a greenhouse filled
with tropical plants (closed for renovation until 2011). You could easily spend a half-day
of leisure here, but for a quick fix of rejuvenation, 1
1
⁄
2
hours will do.
11 Naitocho, Shinjuku-ku.
&
03/3350-0151.
Admission ¥200 adults, ¥50 children. Tues-Sun 9am-
4:30pm. Station: Shinjuku Gyoen-mae (2 min.) or Sendagaya (5 min.).
7
Ueno Park
Ueno Park—on the northeast edge of the Yamanote Line—is one of
the largest parks in Tokyo and one of the most popular places in the city for Japanese
families on a day's outing. It's a cultural mecca, with a number of attractions, including
the prestigious Tokyo National Museum; the National Museum of Western Art; the
National Museum of Nature and Science; the delightful Shitamachi Museum, with its
displays of old Tokyo; Ueno Zoo; and Shinobazu Pond (a bird sanctuary). The busiest
time of the year at Ueno Park is April, during the cherry-blossom season.
