KOISHIKAWA KORAKUEN KOEN: -A place to relax

To enter in this tranquil oasis in the metropolis of Tokyo is an experience for both body and soul. Once one of Japan's largest parks, today 17 acres of the original 63 remains.  Korakuen offers everything you would expect of Japanese Gardening. Korakuen is one of seven premises in all of Japan that is both appointed as a special place of scenic beauty but also as a special historic site based on the cultural properties protection law of Japan.   Read more below...



Even if the  garden was inspired by the famous West Lake in Hangzhou Korakuen is a first class Japanese garden.  Here you find bridges,  ponds, hills, rice fields,  and there is always something blooming

The variation of bridges are especially worthy of note, and especially these three:
• Stone Bridge Engetsukyo which is built like a semicircle so that it creates a full circle when reflected in the water.
• The red wooden bridge Tsutenkyo which overarches above a ravine.
• The 8 large flat stones bridge Yatsuhashi.

Originally designed and started by the daimyo, Tokugawa/Mito Yorifusa (1603-1661) this is one  of the oldest and best examples of a Japanese garden. The garden was completed by his successor  Tokugawa Mitsukuni (1628-1701).

The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except December  29 through Januray 1.  Admission is 300 yen. Koishikawa Korakuen is a 3-minute walk from Exit C3 of Iidabashi Subway station or an 8-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station or JR Iidabashi station, both stations at JR Chuo Line.