Tokyo private tour for Japanese garden lovers

Highlights

• Meiji Shrine
• Koishikawa Korakuen
• Hama Rikyu
• Rikugien
• Yoyogi Park
• Happo-en
• Mejiro Garden

All about the trip

One of the wonders of Tokyo is that in the midst of its towering skyscrapers lie some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Enjoy an impressive one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo with our professional guide.

Meet your guide at your hotel to start your day, then visit renowned Japanese garden lovers' paradises in Tokyo such as Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo's largest parks; Hama-rikyu, located alongside Tokyo Bay with the skyscrapers of the Shiodome district in the background; the Imperial Palace East Gardens, on the grounds of the Imperial Palace; and Rikugien, a beautiful landscape garden featuring a central pond, rolling hills, forests, and trails.

Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Tokyo for a truly memorable experience!

Note 1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

Note 2: This special tour will be conducted with a public transportation and cruising taxi as stated in the tour information, NOT including private vehicle. Your guide will pick you up at the meeting point on foot. If you need a private vehicle, please feel free to ask us and we will estimate an additional cost for you.

Note 3: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

More information:

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Located just beside the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll. The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo's oldest and best Japanese gardens. It was built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its namesake in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa is the district in which the garden is located in.

Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū), is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

Rikugien (六義園) is often considered Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a good example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.

Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo's largest city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds, and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it makes for a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Furthermore, it is known for its ginko tree forest, which turns intensely golden in autumn.

A spacious Western-style park with wide lawns, trees, and ponds, popular among residents. Yoyogi Park is known for its autumn leaves, especially the golden leaves of the many ginko trees.

About half a dozen museums, a zoo, a Toshogu Shrine, and the Shinobazu Pond are just some of Ueno Park's attractions. Ueno Park is also Tokyo's most notorious cherry blossom party spot.

Spacious botanical garden maintained by the University of Tokyo, featuring many tree and plant species, as well as a small Japanese landscape garden. Particularly nice during the cherry blossom season.

Beautiful Japanese landscape garden, representing famous Japanese and Chinese sceneries in miniature. It dates from the early Edo Period and is enjoyable during all seasons.

A green oasis surrounded by tall buildings, the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is a traditional landscape garden with a pond and man-made hills. It used to be part of the residence of feudal lords and later an imperial villa.

Kiyosumi Teien is a pretty Japanese landscape garden with walking trails around a central pond. Parts of the trails lead over stones placed into the pond.

A true urban oasis, this stunning garden is a highlight of any trip to the Nezu Museum. Located in the stylish hub of Omotesando, the museum was formerly the private residence to Nezu Kaichiro and now houses his collection of Asian and Japanese art. Winding walkways, stone lanterns, paving stones, and a bamboo grove all provide different viewpoints to explore around the hilly garden, filled with stone sculptures and a number of preserved tea houses. Perhaps most interesting is the beautiful juxtaposition between the garden’s vivid greens and classical features, with the museum’s modern glass architecture. The café, serving lunch and cakes, is a great place to enjoy the garden from as well.

Happo-en is a vast park in Minato District. The name means, ‘The Garden of Eight Views’ for its appeal in all seasons and angles. The spacious grounds provide a stunning backdrop for photos, and in fact, the garden is a popular choice for wedding parties and photo shoots. A restaurant serving kaiseki cuisine overlooks the pond and a teahouse offers tea ceremony etiquette lessons among other things. Call ahead to make reservations for their walking tours hosted on weekdays, which include a lunch at the restaurant and a tea ceremony (7700 yen per person). Reservations are not required for Muan Teahouse but recommended for Enju, the kaiseki restaurant on the premises.

For a few weeks during the hanami (cherry blossoms) in spring, and during the koyo (autumn leaves) in November, the garden of the Tokyo National Museum opens to the public.

Mejiro Garden is a small and peaceful traditional Japanese garden located in Mejiro area, very near Ikebukuro Station. The garden is admission free, and it’s a perfect oasis to get away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. During the autumn leaves season, the garden hosts light-up events at night and illuminated autumn foliage can be enjoyed only this time of the year.

What is included in the price

• Free photos
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Licensed local guide

What is not included in the price

• Food and drinks
• Other personal expenses
• Entrance fee (for yourself)
• Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)
• Lunch (for yourself and your guide)
• Private transportation

Instructions

Infant seats available.

Animals or pets allowed.

Public transportation nearby.

Infants must not sit on laps.

Wheelchair accessible.

Your guide will pick you up at the meeting point as per your request on foot. This special tour will be conducted with public transportation.

This activity is organised by Japan Guide Agency, Ejirihigashi2 67-3, Shizuoka City, 424-0815, Japan, booking@j-g-a.org.