Hama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo

Hama-rikyu Gardens, Tokyo

Originally built by 17th century daimyo Matsudaira Tsunashige as a private residence and duck hunting grounds at the mouth of the Sumida River, Hama-rikyu is now a public walking garden with an all-season range of flowers and flowering trees.

Originally built by 17th century daimyo Matsudaira Tsunashige as a private residence and duck hunting grounds at the mouth of the Sumida River, Hama-rikyu is now a public walking garden with an all-season range of flowers and flowering trees. The 25-hectare Kaiyu Teien style park is surrounded by a moat filled with seawater from the Tokyo Bay.

The main entrance is the Otemon to the north, and there is an additional north-west gate Naka-no-gomon (Inner Gate), as well as a waterbus landing at the eastern-most corner. The highlight of the Hama-rikyu park is the Nakajima no Ochaya tea-house, picturesquely set on the small island of Nakajima in the middle of the Shioiri Pond, which is accessible by wooden foot-bridges. Green tea and sweets are available here.

Explore the gardens to see the 300 year old pine tree, peony garden with over 800 plants across 60 varieties, plum tree grove, cherry blossom trees, and Mt Fujimi viewing point.