Koishikawa Korakuen Garden [Tokyo]

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden summary】

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is the oldest of the existing daimyo’s gardens in Tokyo. It is a Japanese-style garden with a circular path around a mountain and fountain, created in 1603 during the early Edo period (1603-1868) within the Edo residence of the Mito Tokugawa family.

The garden, which takes advantage of the difference in elevation of the Koishikawa plateau, features landscapes that resemble “sea, mountains, rivers, and fields,” and is also a garden with a rich Chinese flavor, including the Engetsu Bridge and the banks of Lake Saiko.

Kinkakuji Temple (Rokuonji Temple) [Kyoto]

Currently, the garden is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government. Only a few gardens in Japan have received this designation, including Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Hama-rikyu Gardens, and Kinkakuji Temple.

300 yen per adult. The East Gate is right next to the Tokyo Dome.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Entire map】

It covers an area of about 70,000 square meters, larger than the neighboring Tokyo Dome (about 46,000 square meters).

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Karamon】

Karamon (Karamon Gate) was the main gate when it was established, but is now in the garden.

It was destroyed by fire during an air raid by the U.S. military during the Greater East Asia War, but was restored in 2020 based on old photos and drawings.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Daisensui (Great Spring Water)】

Daisensui is the centerpiece of the garden and was created to resemble Lake Biwa, with Horaijima and Chikubujima floating in the center. Horai Island is an island based on the ancient Chinese belief that there were islands called Horai Island, Hojo Island, and Yeongju Island in the far eastern sea. The island is modeled after the belief that there were immortals living there and that it was an ideal land where they still lead a happy life today.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Benzaiten Shrine】

There is a small vermilion-lacquered shrine dedicated to Benzaiten on Horai Island, and Benzaiten, seen through the gaps in the pine trees, has a strong presence. Although it is not allowed to enter the island, it was a beautiful sight from any direction.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden cherry blossom】

There are about 30 cherry trees in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, including five weeping cherry trees and mountain cherry trees.

I feel Japanese spring in the blue sky and cherry blossoms in the liberating garden.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Tsutenbashi Bridge】

Further in the back, a red bridge catches the eye. This bridge is said to be modeled after the Tsutenbashi Bridge at Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto.

There are many other highlights, but that’s all for this issue.

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Nearby attractions】

Tokyo Dome City, Akagi Shrine, Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine

Akagi Shrine [Tokyo]

Tokyo-daijingu Shrine [Tokyo]

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine [Tokyo]

【Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Access】

Manager’s Comments

I spent a while admiring the tranquility and the beautifully landscaped garden, which was hard to believe that it was in the middle of the city. My wife, who was born and raised in Tokyo, had never visited there before. Since it was the cherry blossom season, we were a bit over-touristic this time. I would like to update this page when I visit again, as you can enjoy nature in each of the four seasons.

Site/Facility Size

 (4)

Richness of Nature

 (4)

Ease of access

 (4)

Number of tourists

 (4.5)

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

6-6-6, Koraku 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0004, Japan

※No parking is available.

■For East Gate

About 5 minutes walk from West Exit of Suidobashi Station (JB17) on JR Sobu Line

About 6 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Korakuen Station (M22 / N11) on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Namboku Line

参考

小石川後楽園｜公園へ行こう！

関連投稿(Related Posts):

The Imperial Palace (Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Ruins of Edo Castle, East Gardens) [Tokyo] Shinjuku Gyoen [Tokyo] Oji Shrine and Otonashi Shinsui Park [Tokyo] Higo Hosokawa Garden [Tokyo]