All about Shinjuku Gyoen
Mention Tokyo and people tend to think of busy shopping malls and lively restaurants. However, Tokyo is also home to various green spaces that allow travellers to spend time in the soothing embrace of Mother Nature. Among all the parks and gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen attracts a lot of footfall from locals and travellers alike because it not only has an impressive collection of gardens, but is also jam-packed with fun things to do. Read on to find out more about Shinjuku Gyoen’s rich history as well as recommendations for things to do there.
What Is Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is a garden like no other as it boasts a varied and exciting history. It was first constructed on the private residence of a “daimyo” (feudal lord) called Naito during the Edo era. In 1872, the government acquired it and used it as an agricultural experiment station. This move must have borne great fruit, for Shinjuku Gyoen was then repurposed to be an imperial garden during the Meiji Period in 1906.
After World War II, it subsequently switched its identity again as it became open to the public as a national garden in 1949. This means that even though Shinjuku Gyoen is a public garden, it evokes a regal aura, thanks to its illustrious past.
How to Get There
As can be inferred from the name, Shinjuku Gyoen is a stone’s throw away from bustling Shinjuku. You can choose to alight at either Shinjuku Station, Sendagaya Station or Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station and still reach Shinjuku Gyoen on foot, thus making it easy to fit into your itinerary.
Should you choose to alight at Shinjuku Station, use the Southeast Exit. Then, you can walk along Shinjuku-dori and head back towards Koshu Kaido to arrive at its main entrance. This walk will only take you about ten minutes.
Why It’s Worth A Visit
Due to its association with the imperial household, Shinjuku Gyoen showcases several features that are unmatched by other parks and gardens. For one, it occupies an impressive 144 acres (58 hectares), which makes it one of the biggest nature sanctuaries in Tokyo. Coupled with its size, it delights visitors with its three garden architectural styles. The northern section of Shinjuku Gyoen consists of a French formal garden; its center showcases a landscaped English garden; and it pays homage to its roots with a Japanese traditional garden - complete with arched bridges and stone lanterns. Since it straddles East and West in one expansive space, you will have fun soaking in the vibes of these distinctive gardens. You will definitely hone your appreciation of how different cultures employ nature and architecture differently to create a green oasis of peace and serenity.
In addition, Shinjuku Gyoen displays different picturesque scenes throughout the year. Be treated to the gorgeous sights of bright sakura in spring, vivid hues of green in summer, colourful leaf spectacle in fall, and snowscapes in winter. This ensures that no matter when you visit the garden, you won’t leave disappointed!
Admiring The Four Seasons at Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen In Spring
Great news! It is possible for visitors to have a picnic at the beautifully manicured central lawn in Shinjuku Gyoen. Thus, you can get up close with stunning cherry blossoms in spring and create precious memories of your trip to Tokyo. Incidentally, Shinjuku Gyoen is an awesome place to organise a “hanami” (cherry blossom viewing party) as about 1000 cherry blossom trees usher in spring by flaunting their delicate beauty.
Since more than 400 of these trees are of the somei yoshino variety, you should ideally visit Shinjuku Gyoen around late March to early April since this is the prime period for their blooming. However, if you can’t make it to Japan then, fret not. Shinjuku Gyoen contains around 12 kinds of cherry blossom trees whose flowers will blossom at different times. So, you are assured of a breathtaking visual feast even if you arrive slightly earlier or later than the blooming period! In fact, you may even want to have a hanami to revel in the festivity. Just take note that no alcoholic beverages are allowed inside the Shinjuku Gyoen.
Shinjuku Gyoen in Summer
In June and July, Shinjuku Gyoen unveils another colorful facade as colorful hydrangeas - one of Japan’s best-loved summertime flowers - will blossom then. Lending to the exquisite splendour is the roses in the French Garden. They will also bloom around this time, making the garden vibrant and uplifting your spirits.
Shinjuku Gyoen in Autumn
Just as spring in Japan is famous for “hanami”, autumn is memorable in Japan for “momiji” (maple leaves that turn red in fall). What better place to witness the majesty of Japan’s autumn than Shinjuku Gyoen. For one, the garden is dotted with tulip, ginkgo, sycamore and cherry trees, all of which will display their bright red, yellow and orange sides in autumn.
Additionally, Shinjuku Gyoen stands out from other parks and gardens because it will organise its highly anticipated chrysanthemum show that lasts from November 1st to 15th every year. As chrysanthemums are the imperial flower, they are lovingly cultivated with traditional techniques used by the Imperial household, so they come with an extra dose of class and style. Head over to the hut called “Uwaya” to admire how different kinds of chrysanthemums are cleverly arranged together so as to accentuate their natural beauty and ramp up the oomph factor.
Shinjuku Gyoen in Winter
Winter conjures images of bare branches, which is not the case for Shinjuku Gyoen. If your schedule does not allow you to visit Japan in spring, winter offers some consolation as some varieties of cherry blossoms like Kawazusakura and Kanzakura typically bloom during this period. Not only that, red and pink camellias which are native to Japan will also blossom. They are sure to add a delightful touch to winter wonderland and enliven your Christmas mood!
6 Other Must-do Activities In Shinjuku Gyoen
- Visit The Information Center
Situated near the Shinjuku Gate is the Information Center, from which you can obtain English maps of Shinjuku Gyoen. Very useful for navigating the different areas in this huge garden. The Information Center also showcases some interactive installations that serve as a great precursor of the fascinating features you will encounter inside the garden. All in all, it will give you a holistic view of what you can expect to experience. - Visit The Greenhouse
Apart from the three gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen also houses a magnificent botanical greenhouse that gives you a crash course on plant life with its impressive array of 2400 species. These plants hail from diverse natural habitats , ranging from pond to tropical and subtropical to desert areas. Some of these plants are rare and endangered, which affords you an interesting learning experience that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere. Similarly, architectural fans will admire the intricate design as it is a faithful reproduction of an old Western-style greenhouse built in the 19th century. - Visit The Taiwan-style Pavilion
Another intriguing building to visit is the Taiwanese-style pavilion that is located inside the Japanese garden and overlooks the garden’s central pond. This gazebo tugs at your heartstrings with its sentimental back-story. The Japanese people who were residing in Taiwan wanted to commemorate the marriage of their Emperor Hirohito in 1927. Hence, they coordinated their donations to have this pavilion built as a tribute. Spend some time there and be stirred by the Japanese’s love for the imperial family. - Enjoy Tea At A Teahouse
All the walking and exploring will make you hungry and thirsty. Thankfully, there is a teahouse called Rakuu-Tei that you can patronize to catch a breather. Strategically located inside The Japanese Garden, it commands a postcard-worthy view of the natural surroundings, especially when white plum blossoms are in season. There is only one 700-yen item on the menu: Powdered green tea (with seasonal Japanese confectionery). Thus, you can rest assured that the tea and seasonal Japanese sweets must be heavenly. - Enjoy Coffee At Starbucks
Starbucks Japan is known to employ Japanese aesthetics and wood crafting techniques in its design for some of its stores. In 2020, it launched Starbucks Coffee Shinjuku Gyoen, which made it the first private enterprise to open a store in Shinjuku Gyoen. Located between the French garden and the English landscape garden, it affords you the chance to chill at its open-air terrace on the ground floor and gaze serenely at the pond before you. Not only that, its use of domestic timber for the entire structure is not only pleasing to your eyes, but also evokes a calming aura. Sit back and while away a lazy afternoon. - Find Locations That Inspired Makoto Shinkai's Film, “The Garden Of Words”
The anime enthusiasts among you will need no introduction to Makoto Shinkai as his animated films depict the lives of Japanese people in whimsical and delightful ways. In particular his film - “The Garden of Words” that was released in 2013 - received rave reviews for bringing to life the beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen through its vivid and gorgeous scenes. As you take a leisurely stroll around Shinjuku Gyoen, you may be hit by a strong sense of déjà vu as you feel that you have seen these views before in “The Garden of Words”. Feel free to take Instagrammable photos and reconstruct these film scenes for your social media platforms so that your family and friends can get a feel of how much fun you derive from visiting Shinjuku Gyoen!
