With new stores opening one after another, limited-time events, and many museums, Tokyo is a place where one can live for many years and never get bored. And, in fact, the city is also blessed with abundant nature. Here, we will introduce spots where you can get in touch with nature and heal while in Tokyo.
1, Shinjuku Gyoen
Designed by a French landscape architect, the garden skillfully combines a European-style formal garden, a landscape garden, and a Japanese garden, and is a representative modern Western garden of the Meiji era and one of the few masterpieces of landscape gardens in Japan. Approximately a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station and Shinjuku-Sanchome Station.
11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
👉Shinjuku Gyoen official website
2, Todoroki Valley
The walk starts from Golf Bridge, which is eye-catching in its red color. After descending the stairs at the foot of the bridge and walking along a 1-km promenade along the river, a Japanese garden, a shoin (a Japanese-style drawing room), and a lawn area appear. Don’t forget to take a break during your stroll at the sweet shop “Setsugetsuka” for green tea with sweets, oshiruko (oshiruko in winter), tokoro-ten (tokoro-ten), shaved ice, and ramune (sweetened ramune) in summer. Approximately a 3-minute walk from Todoroki Station.
22, 1-22, 2-37 to 38 outside Todoroki 1-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
3, Happoen
By strangely arranging the basic elements of landscaping – trees, stones, water, and soil – nature is recreated in its original form. The bonsai trees, which include gems that are more than 500 years old, and historical buildings and relics are well balanced. Matcha (powdered green tea) is available at Yumean, a recommended tea room, in between strolls through the garden. Approximately 1 minute walk from Shirokanedai Station.
1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
👉Tea room “Yumean” (official website )
4, Meiji Shrine
A shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken. It is also known for attracting the largest number of worshippers in Japan every year for Hatsumode (New Year’s visit). The vast 700,000-square-meter Chinju-no-mori forest is a man-made forest created with the aim of creating an “eternal forest” by planting approximately 100,000 trees donated from all over Japan for the founding of Meiji Jingu Shrine. The on-site café is also recommended. Approximately a 2-minute walk from Harajuku Station.
1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuyaku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
👉Official site of Meiji Jingu Shrine
5,Hamarikyu Gardens
Originally the garden of the Tokugawa shoguns, Hamarikyu Gardens is located in Chuo Ward. As you walk through the garden, the buildings of Tokyo spread out in the back. The contrast should also leave a lasting impression. The tidal pond is the only seawater pond in Tokyo in a garden that has been in existence since the Edo period. Saltwater fish such as mullet, walleye, goby, and eels inhabit the area.
1-1 Hamarikyu Gardens, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 📍In Hamarikyu Gardens
👉Hama Rikyu Gardens Nakajima no Ochaya (official website )
6, Kasai Rinkai Park
The park was created with five zones on the theme of interaction among greenery, water, and people in Tokyo Bay, where the deep blue sea stretches out. In 1994, an aviary zone was opened, followed by the observation rest house “Crystal View” in 1995, and in 2001, the Ferris wheel, which is 117 meters high and offers a 17-minute walk in the air. Located a short distance from the city center, it is recommended for couples who want to avoid the crowds. Approximately 1 minute walk from Kasai Rinkai Park.
6 Rinkai-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo
👉Kasai Rinkai Park official website
7, National Museum of Nature and Science
Unlike most botanical gardens and gardens, it is operated with the idea of preserving nature as close to its original state as possible. It is said that the area began as the residence of a wealthy family in the Middle Ages, was the residence of Takamatsu feudal lord Matsudaira Yorishige in the Edo period, was used as a powder magazine for the Army and Navy in the Meiji period, and was designated as a national natural monument and historic site in 1949 as the former Shirogane Imperial Villa. Approximately a 9-minute walk from Meguro Station.
5-21-5 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
👉National Museum of Nature and Science, Nature Education Park official website
8,National Showa Memorial Park
A national park straddling Tachikawa City and Akishima City. There is a swimming pool and BBQ area on the grounds, as well as a vast “everyone’s field” and dog run, so you will never get bored no matter how many times you visit. There are many gates, but it is about an 18-minute walk from Tachikawa Station to the Tachikawa Gate.
Midori-cho, Tachikawa 📍 3173
👉National Showa Memorial Park Official Site
9, Akikawa Canyon
The Akigawa River is said to be the largest of the tributaries of the Tama River. The scenery changes from season to season with fresh greenery and autumn leaves, and of course, enjoy leisure activities at the barbecue sites and campgrounds during the warm weather. It is difficult to reach by train or bus, so visiting by car is recommended. About 60 minutes by car from central Tokyo.
📍 From Akiruno City to Hinohara Village
10, Mt. Takao
Hachioji City, designated a three-star Michelin mountain in 2019 along with Mt. From the foot of the mountain, you can take the cable car or lift up to the sea level in the middle of the mountain, and all walking courses take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so even beginners can easily enjoy climbing the mountain. It is also known as the mountain with the most climbers in the world, so weekdays are recommended if you want to avoid crowds. The fastest time from Shinjuku Station to Takaoyamaguchi Station on the Keio Line is 47 minutes.
