3034 001 01
Travel

Shinjuku Gyoen in Japan – The Beautiful National Park

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most popular parks in Japan. Located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the paid park’s spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center around it. In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms.

Shinjuku Gyoen in Japan – The Beautiful National Park

Summary of Shinjuku Gyoen National Park in Japan

Shinjuku Gyoen National Park was originally a park that was considered a royal garden, but by 1949 it became a common garden for everyone. The delicate combination and fusion of Western and traditional Japanese styles has created a unique feature for Shinjuku Gyoen. The park consists of three main gardens, the British Garden, located in the middle of the park, which brings a feeling of relaxation and peace to residents and visitors with a large green grass, extremely tall tulips, dyed a whole blue sky pink.

Coming to the French Garden, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of hundreds of different flowers. Then feel like you are lost in the garden of a certain European town. Isn’t that great? But it would be a real mistake not to mention the Japanese Garden which has the true tradition of tradition.

vuon quoc gia shinjuku gyoen

You can watch and enjoy the relaxing feeling at Shijuku Gyoen Park throughout the four seasons. Because there are more than thousands of different flowers and trees blooming all year round.

vuon hoa bat ngan canh hoa roi

Enjoy the landscape of 4 seasons

In the garden there are more than 10,000 old trees. In particular, there are trees that were first imported to Japan such as Tulip, cornflower, Himalaya, cypress, which are said to be the typical beauty of Japanese gardens.

In addition, there are many types of flowers that bloom in four seasons. In spring, bright flowers such as rose, sakura, apricot, magnolia flower; In summer there are hydrangeas, Gardenia trees, black myrtle and green trees; In autumn, there are beautiful red leaves, lilies, chrysanthemums, etc. In winter, there are Nihonzuisen, Kantsubaki, and Kanzakura flowers, and visitors can enjoy the white scenery of snow.

It should be noted that the park prohibits bringing animals into the park, and carrying alcohol, tricycles, bicycles, as well as acts that injure plants and animals, and to play sports such as soccer, badminton, ice skating, roller skating …

The three gates

The garden has three entrances, spaced out to allow access at different points and with different train stations nearby. The main entrance is the Shinjuku Gate (a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku station, 5 minutes from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station), which leads you towards the top of the Japanese Garden via the west resthouse. The Okido Gate (5 minutes from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station) is right next to the greenhouse and Tamamo Pond. Finally, the Sendagaya Gate (5 minutes from Sendagaya Station) is close to the cherry-tree area and Maple Hill and leads you between the Japanese Garden and the French Garden.

shinjuku gyoen trees

The three gardens

The park has a traditional Japanese Garden, an English Landscape Garden and a French Formal Garden—the latter two being the most respected Western gardens in the Meiji era. Unfortunately, the English offering is not that exciting; it’s a large, open space bordered with cherry trees, and unless you’re a landscaper (or visiting in spring), probably the least interesting of the three. Designed to move away from rigid French garden design, it offers an idealized view of nature, similar to a pastoral landscape, which is definitely in harmony with Japan’s garden style, but is a bit boring to actually look at. Moving swiftly on, the French option is more eye-catching, with symmetrical designs and beautiful rosebeds.

Elderly Artist Painting a Landscape of Cherry Blossom

The most popular and oldest of the gardens though, is the traditional Japanese garden. With a series of linked ponds, teahouses and the Taiwan Pavilion, it’s a beautiful example of traditional design and features mature trees, perfectly maintained. Built for the wedding of the Showa Emperor, the pavilion is called the Kyu Goryotei in Japanese, its impressive design is a real highlight. The tea rooms offer a chance to try some high-quality green tea and seasonal wagashi (sweets) as you enjoy the view.

How to get there

5 minute walk from Sendagaya Station of JR Chuo Sobu line, Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō Station of Toei Oeido line, Shinjuku-sanchome Station of Shinjuku Chikatetsu line, Shinjuku-sanchome Station of Tokyo Metro line, Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station of Tokyo Metro Maruno line.

If traveling by car, head towards Gaien-deguchi of the Metropolitan Line of Expressway No. 4. The parking lot with a capacity of 200 units is open from 8:00 to 20:00. The parking fee for 3 hours is 500 yen, followed by an additional 100 yen every 30 minutes.