Shinjuku Gyoen
Gyoen means “imperial garden” in English, and this one certainly is regal in its beauty and size; it is one of the most vast and popular parks in Tokyo, a favourite of locals, and a respite from the crazy bustle of the city around it. It’s a short walk from the Shinjuko subway station, and a world away.
The Shinjuko Gyoen is a national garden, open all seasons and blessed with a different form of beauty in each; it’s an ideal place to wander among cherry blossoms in the spring. Here you will find a plethora of flowers, trees and shrubs, waterways and ponds, bridges, paths and sprawling lawns, ideal for a blanket and picnic basket.
This was originally the residence of the Naito family in the Edo period before the city became Tokyo. It is still part of royal property, managed by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. There is an admission charge, but it is very modest, so enjoy the vibrancy of Tokyo and its calmer, gentler side, too, at Shinjuko Gyoen.