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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Tokyo - Central Tokyo
Hama Rikyu 
# 39   of 70 most visited
sights in Tokyo

jump to:   access  -  admission  -  hotels  -  ratings  -  tours  -  links

Hama Rikyu and the Shiodome District in the background

Hama Rikyu (•l—£‹{, Hama Rikyū), is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

The garden has served many purposes over the centuries. It was originally built as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo Period (1603-1867), but later served as a strolling garden and as an imperial detached palace before eventually being opened to the public in its current form. Vestiges of these old roles are still visible throughout the garden including several reconstructed duck hunting blinds, and the remains of an old moat and reconstructed rock wall.

Hama Rikyu is attractive in any season. Although not as famous for its fall foliage as some of the other gardens around Tokyo, it offers plenty of maple, ginkgo and other trees that show their beautiful autumn colors between late November and early December.

Late February brings plum blossoms, while the spring cherry blossom season from late March to early April is also nice but somewhat subdued compared to other hanami spots in the city. Several other species of flowers bloom in spring including fields of peony and canola blossoms.

An excellent, free English audio guide is available at Hama Rikyu which includes several self-guided walking courses through the garden. The courses vary in length from 60-90 minutes and use pictures and video to explain the various historical spots, flowers and trees that you can see along the way. The electronic guide is available at the Otemon and Nakanogomon Gate entrances.

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How to get there
Hama Rikyu is a 10-15 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station or a 5-10 minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Oedo Subway Line and the Yurikamome elevated train.

Hama Rikyu can also be accessed from Asakusa by Tokyo Water Bus (35 minutes, 720 yen one way, admission to the garden has to be paid separately), but note that the water buses do not stop at Hama Rikyu in the opposite direction. A small detour via Hinode Pier is required to travel from Hama Rikyu to Asakusa (45 minutes, 720 yen one way).

Orientation in Tokyo

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Hours and Fees
Hours:9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed:December 29 to January 1
Admission:300 yen

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Hotels and Ryokan
Shiodome is one of Tokyo's most pleasant and convenient places to stay. Centrally located, the modern city district offers multiple elegant hotels among its skyscrapers, as well as exciting dining options. The district's modern city planning allows hotel guests to reach Shiodome Subway Station and nearby Shimbashi Station on the Yamanote Line by covered or underground walking paths.
Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide
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Recommended Hotels around Shiodome - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites
Conrad Tokyo Hotel
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Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome
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Park Hotel Tokyo
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Royal Park Shiodome Tower Hotel
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Tours and Packages
Tokyo Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings.

User Ratings
Ratings for Hama Rikyu:
japan-guide.com Rating:
  outstanding  
User Rating (by 258 users):
82/100
  recommended

Best rated sights nationwide (out of 725):
280.  Chaya Districts (Kanazawa)   82/100
281.  Town Center (Kinosaki)   82/100
282.  Tsuboya District (Okinawa Island)   82/100
283.  Tanzan Shrine (Asuka)   82/100
284.  Canal Area (Otaru)   82/100
285.  Hama Rikyu (Tokyo)   82/100
286.  Sanno Matsuri (Tokyo)   82/100
287.  Yokaichi Old Town (Uchiko)   82/100
288.  Glover Garden (Nagasaki)   82/100
289.  Imperial East Gardens (Tokyo)   82/100
Most visited sights nationwide (out of 836):
135.  Tsukishima (Tokyo)   496
136.  Osaka Station City (Osaka)   495
137.  Takaosan (Tokyo)   495
138.  Kegon Waterfall (Nikko)   492
139.  Shinsekai (Osaka)   492
140.  Hama Rikyu (Tokyo)   491
141.  Jigoku (Hells) (Beppu)   490
142.  Shukkeien Garden (Hiroshima)   487
143.  Susukino (Sapporo)   482
144.  Makuhari Messe (Tokyo)   480

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English Links
Hama Rikyu
Official English website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association.

Japanese Links
Hama Rikyu
Official website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association.

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