Hama-rikyū Gardens
Hama-rikyū Gardens: A green oasis among Tokyo's skyscrapers
by Simone Ottuzzi - Omotenashi Anime
A historic garden
• Located in Chūō, facing Tokyo Bay, surrounded by modern skyscrapers.
• Origins in the Edo period (1603–1868) as a leisure residence for the Tokugawa shōgun.
• Later used for duck hunting and as a retreat for the imperial family.
• After WWII it was donated to the city and opened to the public in 1946.
Main features
• Central tidal lagoon connected to Tokyo Bay: one of a kind, changing with the tides.
• Nakajima no Ochaya: a teahouse on a small island, where you can enjoy matcha and sweets.
• Woods and seasonal flowers: centuries-old pines, rapeseed blossoms in spring, cosmos in autumn.
• Traces of the past: remains of hunting posts and defensive embankments.
• Scenic paths offering a striking contrast between nature and the Shiodome skyline.
Experience and connections
• A few minutes from Shiodome and Shimbashi stations.
• A water bus terminal on the Sumida River: direct connections to Asakusa and Odaiba.
Practical information
• Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM).
• Closed: December 29 – January 1.
• Admission: about ¥300 (adults), free for under 12.
Summary
Hama-rikyū Gardens is a historic landscape garden that blends the traditions of the shogunate and the imperial family with a modern urban setting. A peaceful oasis in striking contrast with the surrounding skyscrapers.
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