Rikugien is one of the finest Edo-period landscape gardens in Tokyo, a walled strolling garden of ponds, wooded hills and teahouses in the quiet north of the city. It is far less crowded than the big central parks for most of the year, and in spring and autumn it puts on two of the best seasonal shows in Tokyo. This guide covers how to get to Rikugien by train, what entry involves, when to go and what to look for once you are inside.
What Rikugien is and why it is worth the trip
The garden was created at the very end of the 17th century by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a senior official under the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. He designed it around classical Japanese poetry: the name refers to the six principles of waka verse, and corners of the garden were laid out to recall scenes from well-known poems. In the Meiji era the estate passed to Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi, and the family later donated it to the city. Today it is protected as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
The design is a classic kaiyu, or strolling, garden. A path loops around a large central pond with small islands, crossing stone and wooden bridges and climbing to a modest artificial hill with views back over the water. Unlike a city park, there are no sports fields or playgrounds. It is a place to walk slowly, sit for a while and look.
Getting to Rikugien by train
The nearest station is Komagome, served by the JR Yamanote Line and the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line. Because the Yamanote Line loops around central Tokyo, Komagome is easy to reach from Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno or Tokyo Station without changing trains.
From Komagome, the main gate is a walk of roughly ten minutes south along Hongo-dori, following the garden's long brick wall. There is a second gate much closer to the station, but it has historically opened only at certain times of year, such as the cherry blossom and autumn seasons, so do not count on it outside those periods. The walk is flat and well signposted.
Sengoku Station on the Toei Mita Line is another option, also around ten minutes on foot from the main gate.
Rikugien tickets and opening hours
Rikugien is a metropolitan garden with a small admission fee, paid at the gate. There are discounts for seniors, and young children enter free. The garden is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association, and its official website lists current fees, opening hours and closures. It usually closes over the New Year holiday, and hours are extended in the evenings during the seasonal illuminations. Check the official site before you go, especially if you plan a night visit.
Best time to visit Rikugien
Rikugien is lovely at any time, but two seasons stand out:
- Spring: a large weeping cherry tree near the main gate is the garden's most famous sight. When it blooms, usually in late March, it is lit up in the evening and the queues at the gate can be long.
- Autumn: the maples around the pond turn red and gold, typically from mid-November into early December, and the garden runs evening light-ups that reflect the colours in the water.
Outside those weeks the garden is calm, and early summer brings azaleas around the pond. On weekdays in the shoulder months you may have long stretches of path to yourself. Plan on about an hour for a full loop at an easy pace, longer if you stop for tea.
Highlights inside the garden
The central pond and islands
The heart of the garden is the large pond, with an island planted with pines and stone lanterns along the shore. Viewpoints around the loop frame the water differently, which is the whole point of a strolling garden.
Fujishiro-toge
This small man-made hill is the highest point in the garden. The short climb gives a view across the pond and treetops that feels surprisingly far from the city.
The teahouses
Fukiage-chaya, a teahouse by the pond, serves matcha with a seasonal sweet. Sitting here and looking across the water is one of the nicest ways to spend twenty minutes in this part of Tokyo.
Togetsukyo bridge
Two long slabs of stone form this simple bridge, named after a line of poetry. It is a good example of how the garden ties its features to verse.
Tips for a smooth visit
- Wear comfortable shoes: paths are gravel and earth, with a few gentle slopes.
- Bring cash for the gate and the teahouse in case cards are not accepted.
- For the illuminations, arrive near opening time for the evening session, as lines build quickly.
- Picnics and loud music are not the style here; it is a quiet garden.
Nearby on the same stop
Komagome is a residential neighbourhood rather than a sightseeing hub, which is part of the charm. The Toyo Bunko, a library and museum of Asian studies with a small cafe, is just across the road from the garden. A pleasant walk of about fifteen minutes north brings you to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, a Western-style mansion with a rose garden above a Japanese garden. Back on the Yamanote Line, Sugamo is one stop away for its old-fashioned shopping street.
See what else is close to the station on the Rikugien page on Around the Metro, or explore more stations across the city on the Tokyo metro map.