Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: An Imperial Oasis in the Heart of Tokyo

by Simone Ottuzzi - Omotenashi Anime

History and origin

The garden has ancient origins: its land was donated in 1590 by the former shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to a daimyo of the Naitō family as a residence during the Edo period. During the Meiji period, it was transformed into an imperial botanical garden and officially inaugurated in May 1906, after renovations by the French landscape architect Henry Martinet. Most of the garden was destroyed during the bombings of World War II, but it was restored and reopened to the public in May 1949.

Size, management and accessibility

Shinjuku Gyoen covers approximately 58.3 hectares (about 3.5 km in circumference). It is currently managed by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan . It is located between the wards of Shinjuku and Shibuya , and is easily accessible with a short walk from Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku-Gyoemmae (Metro Marunouchi Line) or Sendagaya Station (JR Chūō-Sōbu Line).

Structure, styles and flora

The garden is famous for the harmonious coexistence of three distinct styles:

• Traditional Japanese garden , with ponds, islets, bridges, pavilions and the Taiwanese Pavilion (built to celebrate the wedding of Emperor Showa)
  
• Formal garden in French style , with precise geometries, trimmed hedges and flowering plants
  ornamental
  
• English garden , with large lawns surrounded by cherry trees in bloom

The park is home to approximately 20,000 trees , including approximately 1,500 cherry trees. Because they are diverse in their families, the blooming season extends from approximately late March to April, weather permitting. Furthermore, the park includes a greenhouse built in the 1950s that houses over 1,700 tropical and subtropical plant species on permanent display.

Seasonal experiences and activities

• Cherry blossoms (hanami) : This is one of the most picturesque places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the city. During the season, admission is sometimes subject to reservations, especially during peak periods.
  
• Chrysanthemum Festival : Every year, in the first days of November, a chrysanthemum-themed flower show is held, which is an integral part of the garden's tradition.
  

Opening hours, rates and rules

Opening hours vary depending on the season:

• October to mid-March: 9:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00)
  
• Mid-March to late September (excluding summer months): 9:00–18:00 , with doors closing at 17:30
  
• From July 1st to August 20th: 9:00–19:00 , closing at 18:30
  

Closing days:

• Generally on Mondays , except during the cherry blossom season (late March–late April) and chrysanthemum season (first half of November), when it remains open every day
  

Entrance fee:

• Adults: ¥500
  
• Seniors (65+): ¥250
  
• Students: ¥250
  
• Children (up to 15 years): free
  

Why visit it

Shinjuku Gyoen is a place where history, nature, and culture merge: from its stylized gardens to its vast green expanses, it offers a relaxing experience in every season. It's also famous for its culture: it's the backdrop for Makoto Shinkai's anime "The Garden of Words," which captures its romantic atmosphere in the rain.

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