The best gardens in Tokyo in 2026 are Shinjuku Gyoen, Rikugien, Koishikawa Korakuen, Hama-rikyu with its teahouse on the bay, Kiyosumi Garden's stepping stones and the free Imperial Palace East Gardens. The Nezu Museum garden, Happo-en, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens and Mukojima-Hyakkaen round out the list.
Tokyo's Edo-period daimyo gardens are among its most peaceful places. Most charge a few hundred yen and close on certain days, so check before going. Spring blossoms and autumn leaves are peak times.
Japanese, French and English gardens in one big park.
Shinjuku Gyoen combines a Japanese landscape garden, a formal French garden, an English lawn and a greenhouse, with over 1,000 cherry trees.
Alcohol is not allowed.
Good to know: Enter from Shinjuku Gate.
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014
An Edo stroll garden inspired by poetry.
Rikugien is a classic stroll garden from 1702, with a pond, islands and paths based on scenes from Japanese poetry. Its weeping cherry and autumn maples are illuminated in season.
It is the most refined of Tokyo's gardens.
Good to know: Visit for the evening illuminations.
6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021
Tokyo's oldest daimyo garden.
Koishikawa Korakuen, begun in 1629, is one of Tokyo's oldest gardens, with Chinese-influenced bridges and landscapes beside Tokyo Dome.
Its plum, cherry and maple seasons are lovely.
Good to know: Look for the Engetsu-kyo moon bridge.
1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004
A tidal garden with a teahouse and skyscrapers behind.
Hama-rikyu is a former shogun's garden on Tokyo Bay, with a seawater pond, a teahouse on an island and skyscrapers rising behind it.
Water buses run from here to Asakusa.
Good to know: Have matcha at Nakajima-no-ochaya.
1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046
Stepping stones across a pond full of carp.
Kiyosumi Garden has a large pond crossed by stepping stones, and stones collected from across Japan.
It is a quiet garden near Kiyosumi-Shirakawa's cafés.
Good to know: Combine with coffee in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.
3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0024
Free gardens on the site of Edo Castle.
The East Gardens occupy the inner grounds of former Edo Castle, with stone walls, the old keep foundations and seasonal gardens.
Entry is free.
Good to know: Check closed days (usually Mondays and Fridays).
1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111
A woodland garden behind an art museum.
The Nezu Museum's hillside garden has ponds, stone lanterns and teahouses, a green surprise in Aoyama. Entry is with a museum ticket.
Its irises bloom in May.
Good to know: Book a timed museum ticket online.
6-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062
A garden with a teahouse and bonsai.
Happo-en is a garden around a wedding venue in Shirokanedai, with a pond, centuries-old bonsai and a teahouse serving matcha.
The garden is free to stroll.
Good to know: Book a tea ceremony at Muan teahouse.
1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0071
A Western mansion and rose garden above a Japanese garden.
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens combine a stone Western-style mansion and terraced rose garden with a Japanese garden below.
The roses peak in May and October.
Good to know: Visit during the rose festivals.
1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita City, Tokyo 114-0024
A flower garden of seasonal plants.
Mukojima-Hyakkaen is an Edo-period flower garden focused on plants from Japanese poetry, with plum blossoms in early spring and bush clover in autumn.
It is near Tokyo Skytree.
Good to know: Combine with Skytree.
3-18-3 Higashimukojima, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0032
Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen are often called the most beautiful traditional gardens; Shinjuku Gyoen is the biggest and most varied.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are free. Most others charge a small fee.
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms and mid-November to early December for autumn leaves.
Yes. Hama-rikyu and Happo-en have teahouses serving matcha and sweets.
Most close on certain days (often Mondays, or year-end); check the official sites.