Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. The construction of this garden was resumed in 1629 by Yorifusa Mito who is the Daimyo of Mito Tokugawa family. It was completed by his descendant, Mitsukuni Mito, a very famous Daimyo in the early Edo period.

Mitsukuni named this garden "Koraku-en". Koraku means "enjoying afterwards" which focuses a Chinese teaching of "a governor should worry before people and enjoy after people".

This garden is like the other traditional Japanese gardens. It makes an attempt to replicate renowned landscapes from China and Japan in miniature. You will find here a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill. Enjoy your tour to Tokyo while visiting this garden. This is a garden full of Chinese essence under the influence of Mitsukuni.

In the inner part of Korakuen there is a serene lakelet with zigzag walks running around, stone lanterns, trees and arched bridges arranged skillfully in accord with their environs. You're not allowed to walk on bridges, or on the island, unfortunately. Each bridge is made of a single piece of carved stone, dovetailing perfectly into stone supports on each side.

Though this garden is attractive as well as appealing during all seasons of the year, however, the second half of November brings or adds another charm to this garden. It is this spring time when the trees turn colors, during the plum festival in late February and when the beautiful weeping cherry tree near the garden's entrance is in full bloom.

Korakuen was appointed as the special place of scenic beauty and the special historic site based on the cultural properties protection law of Japan.

1. Admission to Koishikawa Korakuen costs 300 Yen.
2. It is open everyday, except during a short period around New Year.
3. Hours: Daily from 9:00 to 17:00, except from December 29 to January 1.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is a 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station. However, one can undertake a 10 minute walk from Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi and Nanboku Subway Lines to reach this destination.

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