Koishikawa Botanical Garden

Unclaimed

Simply the best kept secret in Tokyo. This garden is the most beautiful and diverse garden in Tokyo. It is great in any season. During Sakura for their cherry blossom garden, in autumn for the variety of yellow, red and green leaves. It’s quite big and a number of settings that allows you to cover different type of flowers and trees. Not very popular among tourists and mainly visited by locals. They have a pretty basic green house area where their grow some special plants and flowers (these close at 15:00). The cafe and the small kiosk sell basic food (curry, mochi, bamboo rice, soft ice-cream and so on). Vending machines are available (both hot and cold drinks and there is also an ice cream vending machine. Entrance ticket is 500yen for adults (over 16) and 150yen (from 6 to 16).

Spectacular in every way, the oldest garden in Japan, a place so rich in history that it deserves more than just a brief stop. It’s a large space. Come early on a nice day to get the best benefit from the experience. Easily among the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo.

Visited on April 6, 2025 Beautiful in all seasons. Less crowded during Sakura season. Perfect for picnics. there are fewer number of sakura trees than other famous spots but the trees are well maintained and can enjoy flowers up close. The Japanese garden area is absolutely stunning. * Entry fee: 500 yen (per person) * no trash cans, bring back all your trash.

Koishikawa Botanical Garden was truly a forest, with trees that looked to be 30 meters tall everywhere. I was happy and slightly shocked to find such a vast forest just 3 kilometers from the Imperial Palace. It's azalea season now, and I didn't know for the first time that tall azalea trees as tall as a person existed. I must visit Koishikawa Botanical Garden again.

Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo is an amazing place to visit, especially if you’re looking to experience Japan’s natural beauty in a peaceful setting. It’s a bit away from central areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station, so I highly recommend taking the train instead of walking. Once you’re off the train, there’s still a short walk to get to the garden, but it’s manageable. If you’re coming from Gokokuji Temple, it’s actually close enough to walk, and doing so is a great way to explore the local area. We entered through a side entrance, near the greenhouse, not the main entrance, and I noticed right away that they have bathrooms available—which is always helpful. Just a heads-up: there are no public trash cans in most places in Japan, including here. So if you’re carrying snacks or drinks, make sure to bring a small bag to keep your trash with you. If you plan to visit, I strongly suggest going during peak seasons like cherry blossom season or summer. When we visited, it had rained the days before, so some of the paths were wet and muddy—not everywhere, but enough to make it slightly difficult to walk in some areas. Even so, the experience was unforgettable. This garden had some of the most beautiful and massive trees I’ve ever seen in my life. Truly breathtaking. It’s a place where you can just slow down and take it all in. I was so amazed that I didn’t even take many photos—I just wanted to be present and enjoy the surroundings. Admission is only 7 dollars, which makes it a very affordable experience. If the weather is nice, you can even do a picnic—there are lots of lovely spots to sit and relax. In short, this is a place where you’ll find peace, beauty, and a deep connection to nature. Just make sure to go during a good season and avoid the rainy days if you can. I highly, highly recommend it.