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 fundament 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 Park 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
	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
	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

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how to get there

How to get to and around Kyoto

news and reports

	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Arashiyama November 19, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Higashiyama November 18, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Kurama November 16, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 12, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 15, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 12, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 7, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 4, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 1, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 30, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 25, 2009

hotels & ryokan

Station Ryokan Seiki Japanese-style, friendly and affordable family-run inn located only 5 minutes walk from JR Kyoto Station. Tomiya Ryokan A traditional Japanese inn located 2 min walk from Kyoto Station. Close to bus terminal for all the attractions. Japanese hotel, Ryokan Nishiyama Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto. Hotel Sanoya 3 min from north exit of JR Kyoto Sta. but in quiet area. Cozy, clean Japanese rooms with bath. Internet PC in lobby. Ryokan Wakamiya Inexpensive, cozy inn with helpful staff. 7 min walk from JR Kyoto Sta. Free Internet PC. Communal baths on top floor. Kyoto Ryokan Shoei This charming budget hotel is located in the historical Shimabara district of Kyoto. Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel in Asia by Hostelworld customers. 9 mins walk from JR Kyoto station Bed from 2,500 yen. Kyoto White Hotel From 4,150 yen per night. 3 minutes from JR Kyoto station. Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja. Ryokan Saka-no-ue Traditional, cozy ryokan with 12 rooms. Japanese cottage style houses available. Located near Yasaka Shrine and Gion. Ryokan Hirashin 3min walk to Shijo Karasuma Sta. Spacious Japanese-style rooms. 140 years of history. Public baths renovated in 2006. Hotel Sugicho A ryokan in the center of Kyoto town. From 4000yen. 4 train stations are within walking distance. Try the Kyoto Kaiseki. Guest Inn Chita A small traditional inn run by a very kind staff. From 3500yen per guest. 10 min from Kyoto Station. Renewed in 2006.

tours and packages

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