Shinjuku Gyoen is a popular tourist spot known for its modern Western garden that combines various garden styles.

There are about 10,000 trees planted in the park, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons, but the approximately 900 cherry trees of about 70 varieties are particularly renowned for their spectacular views, and many people from Japan and abroad visit to view the cherry blossoms.

What is Shinjuku Gyoen?

Shinjuku Gyoen was completed in 1906 as an imperial garden.

Originally owned and managed by the Imperial Household Ministry, it was a royal farm where vegetables and fruits to be presented to the Imperial Family, as well as decorative flowers to decorate the Imperial Palace, were grown.

As a result of this history, greenhouse facilities were used for research and improvement of greenhouse plants such as orchids, as well as the cultivation of Japan's most representative flowers, such as cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums.

From 1917 to 1938, it was used as the venue for the Cherry Blossom Viewing Banquet, a cherry blossom viewing event sponsored by the Imperial Family and held with the aim of promoting international friendship.

In preparation for the Cherry Blossom Viewing Banquet, specialty varieties of cherry blossoms are collected from all over Japan, and the garden has a history of being developed into a place where many cherry blossoms can be viewed, including the horticultural and wild varieties that were originally grown within the garden.

Characteristics of the cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot, with its beautifully maintained gardens, skyscrapers, and the contrast between the cherry blossoms that herald the arrival of spring.

Many varieties of cherry trees are planted, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing over a long period of time, from the early-blooming winter cherry blossoms that begin to bloom in late January to the double cherry blossoms that are in full bloom in late April.

Highlight 1: Cherry blossoms blooming in the vast grounds

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, which straddles Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya wards, covers a vast area of approximately 58 hectares.

Cherry trees have grown large all over the grounds, and in April the gardens are covered in a beautiful pink carpet, creating a beautiful sight.

There are so many cherry blossom viewing spots within the park that it can be difficult to see everything if you take your time enjoying the cherry blossoms.

If you want to see the weeping cherry blossoms blooming by the water, enter through "Sendagaya Gate." If you want to relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms on the garden lawns, enter through "Okido Gate." If you want to enjoy other spring flowers besides cherry blossoms, enter through "Shinjuku Gate." These will allow you to easily reach your desired cherry blossom viewing spot.

Highlight 2: Enjoy the cherry blossoms while wearing a kimono

Inside Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, there is a kimono rental shop called "Rakuhatei Eiichi Shoten."

This is especially popular because if you choose a kimono with a pattern that matches the season, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a kimono.

Kimono sizes for elementary and junior high school students are also available, making this a great place to take a memorable photo of your family trip.

Wearing a kimono and admiring the cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen is sure to be a wonderful memory of your visit to Japan.

Please note that kimono rental requires a reservation, so we recommend making a reservation early, especially during cherry blossom viewing season.

Highlight 3: Cherry blossom viewing in a tranquil atmosphere

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Shinjuku Gyoen was a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, with approximately 1.1 million visitors in March and April.

Therefore, since the COVID-19 outbreak, admission to the park during cherry blossom season is by reservation only, except for certain time periods.

This ensures that the park does not become overly crowded and creates a comfortable environment for visitors.

Furthermore, since bringing alcoholic beverages into Shinjuku Gyoen is prohibited, cherry blossom viewing visitors are well behaved and you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a relaxed atmosphere with peace of mind.

Shinjuku Gyoen cherry blossom season

At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, early-blooming cherry blossoms such as Kanzakura, Kanhizakura, and Kandaizakura are in full bloom from late January to mid-February.

Additionally, the 400 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees planted within Shinjuku Gyoen will be in full bloom from late March to early April.

In mid-April, the weeping cherry trees, with their magnificent branches stretching out towards the pond, will be at their best, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms for a long period of time.

Location of Shinjuku Gyoen

11 Naitocho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo

Access to Shinjuku Gyoen

To get to Shinjuku Gyoen, it is convenient to take an express bus bound for Busta Shinjuku from either Haneda Airport or Narita Airport.

It takes about 30 minutes from Haneda Airport and about 2 hours from Narita Airport to reach the bus terminal called "Busta Shinjuku".

It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Busta Shinjuku to Shinjuku Gyoen.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist Spot 1: Shinjuku Isetan

Located just a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen, Shinjuku Isetan is Japan's most glamorous department store.

It boasts the highest department store sales in Japan, and you can learn about the cutting edge of international and domestic culture here.

We especially recommend the food floor in the basement of Shinjuku Isetan, commonly known as the "depachika" (department basement).

It brings together delicious foods from all over Japan and the world, making it the perfect place to buy food for cherry blossom viewing.

Location of Shinjuku Isetan

3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Tourist Spot ② Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a historic shrine that boasts the highest number of visitors in Japan every year during the New Year's visit season.

The shrine enshrines the 122nd Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, and is said to grant blessings such as success in love and finding a good partner.

There are also about 320 cherry trees planted in the outer gardens of Meiji Shrine, so after visiting the shrine grounds, you can take a stroll around the surrounding area while enjoying the cherry blossoms.

Meiji Shrine is about a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen.

Address of Meiji Shrine

1-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

Tourist Spot 3: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck is a popular tourist spot where you can get a panoramic view of Tokyo from a height of 202 meters above ground.

When the weather is good, you can see Mount Fuji to the west, so many people visit.

You can also see Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Shrine to the southeast, so you can enjoy the view of the cherry blossom trees turning pink from the sky.

Another great thing about this public facility is that it is free to enter, and you can also enjoy tea and light meals at the cafe inside the North Observatory.

From Shinjuku Gyoen to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, it is about a 10-minute taxi ride, or a 5-minute subway ride from Shinjuku Gyoen Station to Nishi-Shinjuku Station.

Location of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory

2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

summary

Shinjuku Gyoen is a magnificent modern Western garden with ties to the Imperial family.

Historically, it was developed for members of the Imperial family to enjoy the cherry blossoms, so the well-maintained gardens are filled with many varieties of cherry blossoms in full bloom, adding color to the spring.

Within the vast grounds, various varieties of cherry blossoms reach their peak season one after another over a period of about three months, so we recommend visiting the park several times during your stay in Japan.

During cherry blossom viewing season, when the Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom, you will need to make a reservation to enter the park, so be sure to gather information and make a reservation in advance.