The 10 Most Beautiful Parks In Tokyo

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden boasts three distinctive styles
The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden boasts three distinctive styles | © nobleIMAGES / Alamy
Photo of Corlena Bailey
Corlena Bailey
12 March 2021

Even though Tokyo is a futuristic metropolis filled with lots of sky-scrapers, shopping areas and other large scale developments, the city does have its fair share of green areas that give locals and visitors the opportunity to escape from the bustling city life. There are several noteworthy parks that you can go to for picnics, to take pictures, or to relax. We have listed some of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Park
Map View
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Shinjuku Gyoen is a 58.3 hectares garden with wide lawns, trees and ponds that is only a ten-minute walk from Shinjuku station. It was originally a residence of the Naito family of feudal lords, associated with the Takato domain in the Shinano province during the Edo period (1603–1868). Presently, it serves as a National Garden under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment. The park boasts three distinctive styles: a French formal and English landscape to the north, and a Japanese traditional landscape to the south. Visit from Tuesdays to Sundays between 9am to 4pm for a small admission fee.
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11 Naitōmachi Shinjuku City, Tokyo, 160-0014, Japan
+81333500151
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Yoyogi Park

Park, Shrine
Map View
The Yoyogi Park is a large Western-style park that is a five-minute walk from the Harajuku Station and the Meiji Shrine. Yoyogi Park is on the site from which the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan took place on December 19, 1910 led by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. Now, it is one of the locals’ favourite parks, where you will see many rock music fans, jugglers, comedians and hobby groups. For no charge, you get to witness its stunning autumn leaves. Look out for the golden leaves of the many ginko trees.
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1 2, Yoyogikamizonochō Shibuya City, Tokyo, 151-0052, Japan
+81334696081
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Imperial Palace East Garden

Park
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The Imperial Palace East Garden is only a 10-15 minute-walk from Tokyo station. For no admission fee you get the opportunity to walk the grounds of the former Edo Castle and part of the current Imperial Palace. You also get close-up views of the enormous stones used to build the castle walls. Climb the ruins of one of the keeps, off the upper lawn, and visit the Museum of Imperial Collections that exhibits more than 9500 artworks owned by the imperial family.

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1 1, Chiyoda Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan
+81332131111
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Ueno Park

Buddhist Temple, Park, Shop
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Crowd of Japanese people viewing cherry blossoms in Ueno Koen Park, Tokyo.
© frank'n'focus / Alamy Stock Photo
Ueno Park is next to Ueno station and features about half a dozen museums, a zoo, a Toshogu Shrine and the Shinobazu Pond. The spring celebrations for its beautiful cherry blossoms and hanami happen here. Ueno Park was established in 1873 on lands that formerly belonged to the temple of Kan’ei-ji. The free admission park is a wonderful place to take the entire family. Photographers of all calibre will be fascinated by the thousands of trees, extensive lotus beds, marshland, shrubs and various species of winter birds.
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8, Uenokōen Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007, Japan
+81338285644
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The Institute for Nature Study National Reserve

Park
Map View

The Institute for Nature Study National Reserve is perhaps one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. The natural reserve (Shizen Kyoiku-en) is situated in the heart of Tokyo, near Meguro Station. The park is operated by the National Museum of Nature and Science, whose aim is to preserve the natural environment of Tokyo’s forests and marshlands, but it is owned by the Ministry of Education. For a small fee, anyone can enjoy the park’s natural beauty. The grounds are also used for research and education.

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5 21, 5-chōme, Shirokanedai Minato City, Tokyo, 108-0071, Japan
+81334417176
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Todoroki Valley

Park, Shrine
Map View
Smack in the middle of the residential city ward of Setagaya and only a two-minute walk from Tokyu’s Todoroki Station, is Todoroki Valley. This park is an attractive green trail that leads through a narrow wooded valley along a small river and is only about one km in length. It stretches from Todoroki Station, beneath Kampachi Dori, and onwards toward the Todoroki Children’s Park. At the other end of the valley you will get an amazing view of the Todoroki Fudo Temple, some shrine structures and numerous cherry trees.
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22, 1 Chome, Todoroki Setagaya City, Tokyo, 158-0082, Japan
+81337044972
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Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (Mount Mitake)

Park
Map View
Blossom in Spring at Hitsujiyama Park, Chichibu city.
© Kaedeenari / Alamy Stock Photo
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park covers an area of over 1250km. The national park stretches out west from the city of Tokyo, covering the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano and Tokyo Prefectures. There are numerous hiking trails and ancient shrines that attract many adventurous visitors each year. Mount Mitake is one famous landmarks that showcase the country’s unspoiled nature. It is located in the Okutama region, the western-most part of Tokyo. This park is the perfect destination for a day trip for those who need a break from the busy metropolis. It can be easily reached in less than two-hours from central Tokyo.
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Tokura Akiruno, Tokyo, 190-0173, Japan

Kiyosumi Teien

Botanical Garden, Park
Map View

Located close to the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station in Fukagawa is Kiyosumi Teien, another trail park. The park was originally the residence of a rich merchant during the Edo period. The land eventually changed ownership and in 1932 it was donated to the city of Tokyo and opened to the public. One attraction to watch out for are the stone paths set in the water called “isowatari”. Look out for fishes and turtles in the pond, and admire the beautiful reflections of the garden in the water.

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9 3, 3-chōme, Kiyosumi Koto City, Tokyo, 135-0024, Japan
+81336415892
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Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden

Park, Botanical Garden
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Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, formerly Shiba Villa, is a paradise oasis from where you can see towering sky-scrapers in the distance. Kyu Shiba Rikyu is next to the Hamamatsucho Station and has a lovely landscaped garden with a pond and man-made hills that symbolise the ocean, lakes and mountains of the real world. There are also circular walking trails that enable visitors to admire the garden from various perspectives. The land once served as a home to various feudal lords and government officials during the Edo period. It was opened to the public in 1924 as the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden.

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4, 1 Chome, Kaigan Minato City, Tokyo, 105-0022, Japan
+81334344029
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Hamarikyu Gardens

Park
Map View
Hamarikyu Gardens and modern buildings at autumn in Tokyo, Japan
Hamarikyu Gardens | © Sanga Park / Alamy
A beautiful landscaped garden where you can see towering buildings in the distance is Hama Rikyu. The garden is a relaxing place for a romantic rendezvous away from the noisy city streets, and it’s also a good place to visit with the entire family. Like most parks in Tokyo, the land was the residence of a feudal lord during the Edo period. The park features amenities like seawater ponds that change level with the tides, and a charming teahouse on an island where you can rest and watch the scenery while sipping some lovely tea. The park’s trees are beautiful all year round.
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1-1 Hamarikyūteien, Hamarikyūteien Chūō-ku, 104-0046, Japan
+81335410200
These recommendations were updated on March 12, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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