basic information

Tokyo may not be known as a city with much greenery, but it has several noteworthy parks and gardens, which offer residents and visitors an opportunity to get a break from the concrete. Below are some of the best:

Click on the image or name for more details.

	Shinjuku Gyoen A spacious park with wide lawns, trees and ponds. It also includes a small Japanese landscape garden and French style garden. Shinjuku Gyoen is a great cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. 10 minute walk east of Shinjuku Station Admission: 200 Yen
	Yoyogi Koen A spacious Western style park with wide lawns, trees and ponds, popular among foreign residents. Yoyogi Park is known for its autumn leaves, especially the golden leaves of the many ginko trees. 5 minute walk west of Harajuku Station Admission: Free
	Ueno Koen About half a dozen museums, a zoo, a Toshogu Shrine and the Shinobazu Pond are just some of Ueno Park's attractions. Ueno Park is also Tokyo's most notorious cherry blossom party spot. Next to Ueno Station Admission: Free
	Imperial Palace East Gardens The location of the former Edo Castle and part of the current Imperial Palace. You can view the massive castle moats, the foundations of the former castle tower and a Japanese landscape garden. 5-10 minute walk from Tokyo Station Admission: Free
	Rikugien One of the most beautiful, classic Japanese landscape gardens of Tokyo. Dating from the Edo Period, it reproduces landscape scenes from famous poems in miniature. Beautiful during all seasons. 2 minute walk from Komagome Station Admission: 300 Yen
	Hama Rikyu Garden Standing alongside Tokyo Bay, this is a nice Japanese landscape garden with former duck hunting grounds. The contrast of the garden with the nearby skyscrapers of Shiodome is spectacular. 10 minute walk from Shinbashi Station Admission: 300 Yen
	Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden A green oasis surrounded by tall buildings, the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is a traditional landscape garden with a pond and man made hills. It used to be part of the residence of feudal lords and later an imperial villa. Next to Hamamatsucho Station Admission: 150 Yen
	Koishikawa Korakuen Beautiful Japanese landscape garden, representing famous Japanese and Chinese sceneries in miniature. It dates from the early Edo Period and is enjoyable during all four seasons of the year. 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station Admission: 300 Yen
	Koishikawa Botanical Garden Spacious botanical garden maintained by the University of Tokyo, featuring many tree and plant species, as well as a small Japanese landscape garden. Particularly nice during the cherry blossom season. 5-10 minute walk from Myogadani Station Admission: 330 Yen
	Kiyosumi Teien Kiyosumi Teien is a pretty Japanese landscape garden with walking trails around a central pond. Parts of the trails lead over stones placed into the pond. Short walk from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station Admission: 150 Yen
	Institute for Nature Study - Nature Reserve The nature reserve of the Institute for Nature Study is one of central Tokyo's best kept secrets: 200,000 square meters of forests and marshlands that make you believe you are in a national park of Hokkaido. 10 minute walk from Meguro Station Admission: 300 Yen
	Todoroki Valley Pleasant park extending for one kilometer along a small, wooded valley in the middle of residential Setagaya city ward. At one end of the park stands the atmospheric Todoroki Fudo Temple. 2 minute walk from Tokyu's Todoroki Station Admission: Free
	Mount Takao Sacred, wooded mountain, 50 minutes by train, west of central Tokyo, but still within the boundaries of the metropolis. It offers various hiking courses, and is particularly nice during the autumn leaves season. Takaosanguchi Station, Keio Railways Admission: Free
	Mount Mitake Part of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park in western Tokyo. A shrine and lots of hiking opportunities await visitors to the mountain, which can be reached in less than two hours from Shinjuku. Mitake Station, JR Ome Line Admission: Free

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news and reports

	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 10, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 6, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 2, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report March 31, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report March 29, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report March 26, 2009

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hotels & ryokan

Serviced Apartments Azabu Court Affordable daily weekly monthly extended stay apartments conveniently located in Azabu Hiroo Roppongi district. Park Hotel Tokyo Found in Shiodome, Tokyo, a member of Design Hotels. Extraordinary service with stunning view of Tokyo Tower. Oak Hotel Budget hostel & hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Group booking, ISIC discount accepted. Sakura Hostel Perfect for budget travelers and backpackers! Largest hostel in Tokyo. Friendly staff, cozy rooms, 24-hour internet lounge. Aizuya-inn Free internet, hot drinks, friendly foreign staff, and a warm welcome are what you will find at this Tokyo inn. Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro Single rooms 6800 yen, doubles from 9000 yen, dormitory beds 3200 yen. 6 mins from Tokyo�fs second largest station Ikebukuro. Shiba Park Hotel International tourist friendly hotel in Hamamatsucho. Easy access to major districts such as Ginza, Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple.

tours and packages

Tokyo Tours Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings.

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