Hamarikyu Gardens

Hamarikyu Gardens

Hamarikyu is a large landscape gardn (250,215.72m2 )in central Tokyo.  Located alongside Tokyo Bay, the Garden features seawater ponds which change the water level with the tides.  On the pond, there is a tea house called Nakajima-no-Chaya, where Shoguns and court ladies enjoyed looking at the garden.  The present tea house was reconstructed in 1982, where visitors can enjoy a Japanese cake with a cup of Maccha (Japanese powdered tea). There are also two duck hunting grounds.

Hamarikyu was originally built as a feudal lord's residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo period (1603 - 1867), but it had been used for various purposes, such as a landscape garden by the Tokugawa Shogunate from generation to generationserved and an imperial detached palace before being opened to the public.

Although tea houses and trees in Hamarikyu were suffered by WWII and big earthquakes, it has been reconstructed to its current form. This beautiful garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

A 300 year-old pine tree which was planted when Ienobu Tokugawa, the 6th Shogun, had renovated the garden on a large sclae looks dignified and impressive.  Various flowers bloom from season to season. When we visited the garden, rape blossoms were in full bloom.  Cherry blossoms season from late March is also nice to visit, as the trees are illuminated during the season.

Hamarikyu was appointed as the Special Place of Scenic Beauty and the Special Historic Site based on the Cultural Properties Protection Law of Japan in 1952.

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Hamarikyu Gardens

1-1 Hamarikyu Gardens, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Telephone:03-3541-0200

Open:9:00~17:00

Free guide available on Sat, Sun and holidays (11:00 and 14:00).

Special guide to tea house:  Thusdays 13:00 ~ 15:00

Fee:  JPY300 for adulst, JPY150 for seniors 65 or more.

Otemon Entrance:  7 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Oedo Line "Shiodome", "Tsukijishijo" station, or Yurikamomo "Shiodome" station.