The name 'Rikugien' translates to 'Six Poems Garden', referencing a categorization of Japanese poetry.
The garden's central pond features a small island reachable by a stone bridge, representing the legendary island of Horai.
The signature weeping cherry tree near the main entrance is estimated to be over 70 years old.
The park was gifted to the City of Tokyo by the Mitsubishi Corporation founder, Iwasaki Yatarō’s family, in 1938.
The garden maintains a traditional 'stroll' design intended to reveal new views as visitors navigate the circular path.
During certain seasons, the garden utilizes professional illumination to highlight the foliage after sunset.
Rikugien Gardens is a quintessential Edo-period stroll garden designed by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu in 1702. The site features a central pond with islands, connected by a network of walking paths and small hills. It was constructed to represent 88 scenes from famous poems, known as 'waka' poetry, specifically reflecting the Six Principles of poetry. The layout utilizes the 'tsukiyama-sensui' style, incorporating man-made hills and a large pond as the visual core. Several traditional wooden teahouses remain on the grounds for public use. The garden is surrounded by dense greenery that obscures the surrounding urban skyline of Bunkyo City. It is a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. The park area covers approximately 8.7 hectares of land.
The stone bridge overlooking the pond with the Togetsukyo bridge and surrounding hills in the background.
Follow the circular walking path counter-clockwise to experience the intended narrative flow of the garden's scenic views.
Visit the teahouse for matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets to experience the traditional cultural context of the garden.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes, as many of the paths consist of uneven gravel or stone steps.
Attempting to photograph during peak illumination events, which can lead to significant crowding on narrow pathways.
Closed briefly at the end of December for New Year holidays.
Refrain from walking off the designated paths, touching the trees, or entering restricted areas to preserve the ecosystem.
