Thursday 6 January 2011

Shinjuku Gyoen



Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest parks. It was opened to the public in 1949, after it had served as a garden for the Imperial Family since 1903.


It features a range of garden styles, including English (with large rolling green lawns), French (formal and flowery) and Japanese (cloud-shaped bushes and formal Japanese structures). There is a spectacular teahouse, and a lovely lake with big, bright koi carp swimming around lazily.

It's a very lovely place to sit with an icecream or picnic lunch from a nearby coffee shop and just while away the hours.


I've visited in Autumn and Summer. In Autumn the trees were beautifully coloured yellow, orange and red, and provided a nice leafy walk in the Autumnal warmth. In Summer sitting by the lake with an iced tea is very calming and cooling.



Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the few parks in Tokyo that you have to pay to get in, however the beautiful scenery and diverse selection of new and establish trees, bushes and flowers is well worth the small price.

Information

  • Open 9am-4.30pm (last admission 4pm)
  • Generally closed Mondays
  • Admission fee: 200 JPY
How To Get There

Map and directions from: Japan Guide

Shinjuku Gyoen has three gates:
Shinjuku Gate is a 10 minute walk east from the "New South Exit" of JR Shinjuku Station, while Sendagaya Gate is a 5 minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station on the local Chuo/Sobu Line. Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Subway Line, at last, is a short walk from either the Okido or Shinjuku Gate.

You can read about Louise & Rob's day in Shinkuku Gyoen here.

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