Discover the Charm of Shinjuku Gyoen: Tokyo’s Seasonal Paradise for Cherry Blossoms and Relaxation
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's premier metropolitan areas. The station front is filled with shopping districts and department stores, while the western area called "Nishi Shinjuku" features Japan's prominent business district with numerous skyscrapers.
Shinjuku is also popular as a tourist destination, with many attractions including Kabukicho, Japan's largest entertainment district, and observation decks in 200-meter-class buildings like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
While Shinjuku gives a strong impression of being a major metropolis with its skyscrapers and bustling streets, it actually offers plenty of spots to experience nature. Among these, Shinjuku Gyoen Park is a beloved natural spot popular with both locals and tourists.
Today, we'll introduce the charm and recommended ways to enjoy Shinjuku Gyoen, known as Tokyo's oasis.
Shinjuku Gyoen: An Urban Oasis with Tokyo's Finest Natural Beauty
Source: Official website
Shinjuku Gyoen Park is an urban oasis breathing with some of Tokyo's finest natural beauty. Spanning 58.3 hectares, the park features over 10,000 trees and seasonal flowers. Despite being in the heart of the city, the park offers a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by forest-like nature, healing visitors' hearts.
The park includes beautifully maintained gardens, a greenhouse housing over 2,700 plant species, cafes, restaurants, and numerous historical spots. Seasonal events allow visitors to experience Japan's four seasons in all their glory.
Standing Alongside the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens and Kyoto Imperial Gardens as a "Symbol of a Peaceful Cultural Nation"
Shinjuku Gyoen was previously owned by the Imperial Family before World War II. Then known as the "Imperial Garden," it focused on cultivating Western flowers, including orchids. As a palace garden, it welcomed many international dignitaries.
However, this glamorous era ended when the war engulfed Shinjuku Gyoen until 1945, rendering it non-functional as a garden. Though reduced to ruins by the war, in 1947, a cabinet meeting designated it, along with the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens and Kyoto Imperial Palace, as a "symbol of a peaceful cultural nation."
Since then, Shinjuku Gyoen has been operated as a public park supporting national health, welfare, and education, being restored through unified national efforts during post-war reconstruction.
Shinjuku Gyoen Has Been Open to the Public Since World War II
Shinjuku Gyoen was not open to the public before the war. After being designated as a "symbol of a peaceful nation" in 1947, it was decided to operate it as a public park, finally opening to the general public on May 21, 1949.
In its first 10 months after opening, Shinjuku Gyoen welcomed 1.05 million visitors. Since then, it has continued to develop into the attraction-filled park we see today, constantly improving its services.
5 Reasons Why Shinjuku Gyoen Park Is Extremely Popular Among Foreign Visitors
Beautiful Natural Landscapes Combining English Garden, French Garden, and Traditional Japanese Garden Styles
Source: Official website
Shinjuku Gyoen Park is incredibly popular among both Japanese and foreign visitors. One of the main reasons for its popularity is its beautiful gardens spread across 58.3 hectares of vast grounds. The park features garden designs from around the world, including traditional Japanese gardens, English gardens, and French gardens.
The French formal garden showcases beautiful blooming roses, while the English landscape garden with its expansive lawn provides an open, relaxing space for visitors. The Japanese stroll garden allows visitors to appreciate the scenery while walking, offering traditional Japanese landscapes reminiscent of Kyoto and Nara. The ability to experience completely different aesthetic worlds in each garden is part of Shinjuku Gyoen Park's charm.
Rich Nature Showing Different Faces with Each Season
Source: Official website
With 10,000 trees planted throughout the grounds, visitors can experience vast nature within the park. Since the 1800s, the garden has served as a plant cultivation facility, housing an enormous variety of flowers and plants that showcase nature's beauty throughout the seasons.
I particularly love the park in May when fresh greenery appears. While walking through the park surrounded by young leaves, you can encounter beautiful azalea flowers. The French garden's rose garden features over 500 roses, creating a gorgeous space.
Spring brings cherry blossoms, autumn shows fall colors, and winter offers snowy landscapes - each season presents a different face of the park. Come enjoy the natural charm of Shinjuku Gyoen Park.
Especially Spectacular Scenery During Cherry Blossom and Autumn Foliage Seasons
Source:PR TIMES
Shinjuku Gyoen Park is also famous as one of Tokyo's premier spots for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.
The park has 1,300 cherry trees of 65 different varieties. The sight of blooming Somei Yoshino cherry trees from late March to early April is particularly breathtaking. Evening illumination events allow visitors to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a magical atmosphere.
In late November, the trees turn red as autumn foliage reaches its peak. The red maple leaves create beautiful contrasts with the Japanese garden. A 200-meter promenade lined with plane trees turns golden, creating a brilliant spectacle.
Cultural Significance and Deep History Dating Back to the Edo Period
Source: Official website
The history of Shinjuku Gyoen dates back to 1591 during the Edo period when shoguns ruled Japan. The Tamamo Pond and Tamaga-en garden are the roots of Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Visitors can experience the history and culture that have evolved through various ownership changes from the Edo period to the present day.
Buildings constructed during the Imperial Garden period in the early 1900s still stand today, allowing visitors to sense the atmosphere of that era.
The Former Cooling House (Kyuu Goryou-tei), built to commemorate Emperor Showa's wedding, features rare Chinese-style architecture in Japan with an oriental mood. The Former Western-style Rest House (Kyuu Youkan Gokyuusyo), which served as a clubhouse, is designated as an important cultural property. Please explore these historical spots to experience the atmosphere of those times.
Park Facilities with Rest Areas, Cafes, and Tea Houses
Source: Official website
One of the reasons for Shinjuku Gyoen Park's popularity is its excellent selection of rest areas and cafes. Throughout the park, you'll find various spaces to relax and dine, including cafes serving exquisite Japanese sweets made with matcha, authentic Japanese restaurants, and Starbucks Coffee. Every establishment offers window views of the lush gardens, making it easy to forget you're in the heart of a major city.
Furthermore, the park features some of Japan's famous establishments, ensuring high-quality food options that I can confidently recommend. You can enjoy various delicacies while strolling through the park, such as the "Warabi Mochi Drink" with its tapioca-like texture, "Dorayaki" (sweet bean pancakes), "Dango" (rice dumplings), and sandwiches.
Excellent Location Just Two Stops from Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyoen's directly connected station, JR Sendagaya, is just two stops from JR Shinjuku Station, making it incredibly accessible. Besides JR lines, the park is within a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro's "Shinjuku-gyoenmae" Station and the Toei Oedo Line's "Kokuritsu-Kyogijo-mae" Station. This easy access from major transportation networks in Tokyo is one reason why Shinjuku Gyoen Park is popular among international visitors.
Being close to Shinjuku Station makes it convenient to include in your travel itinerary. When you're tired of the city crowds, please come and rejuvenate yourself in the natural beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen Park!
Popular Seasonal Events at Shinjuku Gyoen Park
Special Spring Opening
Source: Official website
Spring is the most beautiful season in Shinjuku Gyoen Park, featuring over 1,300 cherry trees and numerous flowering plants. The park holds its "Special Spring Opening Period" annually from March 25 to April 24, remaining open without holidays.
The park boasts more than 70 varieties of cherry blossoms. Besides the famous "Somei Yoshino," visitors can admire various types including the charming large-flowered "Yaezakura" (double cherry blossoms) and the elegant weeping "Shidarezakura."
For those wanting to avoid crowds, weekday mornings are recommended as weekends and holidays can get very busy during this period.
Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Source: Official website
The Chrysanthemum Exhibition is held annually from November 1 to 15. Chrysanthemums, being the imperial crest, have been celebrated in viewing ceremonies centered around the Imperial family since 1878. When Shinjuku Gyoen opened to the public in 1949, this event became accessible to everyone and has remained a beloved tradition since the park's opening.
During the exhibition, covered flower beds are installed in the Japanese garden, displaying colorful chrysanthemums. Visitors can witness extraordinary traditional techniques unique to this exhibition, such as chrysanthemums arranged to simulate waterfalls or mountains of cascading flowers. What's most impressive is that all these flowers grow from a single plant.
If you're planning to visit during this time, don't miss this event showcasing Japan's remarkable techniques and traditions!
Orchid Exhibition
Source: Official website
Another highlight of November is the "Western Orchid Exhibition" at Shinjuku Gyoen Park. This event, running since 1983, features 200 Western orchids cultivated by domestic orchid enthusiasts, beautifully decorating the greenhouse. The tropical greenhouse atmosphere is further enhanced by these colorful orchids.
The exhibition showcases a rich variety of orchids including Cattleya, Cymbidium, and Phalaenopsis (moth orchids), offering visitors the chance to see rare and colorful orchids from around the world that aren't commonly encountered. It's an event I look forward to every year, where I can make new discoveries thinking, "I didn't know orchids could look like this!"
Access to Shinjuku Gyoen Park
<Basic Information>
- Address: 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hours:
- Oct 1 - Mar 14: 9:00-16:30
- Mar 15 - Jun 30 & Aug 21 - Sep 30: 9:00-18:00
- Jul 1 - Aug 20: 9:00-19:00
- Closed: Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), Dec 29 - Jan 3
- Phone: 03-3341-1461
- Official Website: https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/sg_info_kyokai
For those wanting to experience Tokyo's nature, we recommend the "3-Hour Tokyo City Highlights Sunset Bike Tour" exploring Ueno Park and Sumida River!
For nature enthusiasts, we recommend the "3-Hour Tokyo City Highlights Sunset Bike Tour" with a local guide, exploring Ueno Park and the Sumida River. The tour includes bicycle insurance for your peace of mind.
The tour begins in Asakusa, an area known for its retro atmosphere in the Shitamachi (old town) district. You'll cover approximately 12km in 3 hours, visiting three adjacent but distinctly different areas: the Shitamachi area of Ueno and the electronics district of Akihabara.
The route features numerous attractions including shrines, bridges, parks, and public bathhouses. Touring with a local guide allows you to navigate efficiently without consulting maps. Experience authentic Tokyo from a unique perspective that you can't get from trains, all while riding a nimble bicycle!
- Meeting point: Asakusabashi Station Exit A3
- Tour areas: Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
- Start time: 15:30