Rikugien Garden
Rikugien Garden
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is an area of massive development. Several thousand tenants occupy two giant department stores and shopping malls, where all sorts of shopping and gourmet foods can be enjoyed. The 60-story building at the east entrance of the station, Sunshine City, is a landmark within Ikebukuro and features an aquarium, planetarium, theme park as well as an observation platform. The popular name for the western side of this area is "Otome Road" (Maiden Road) and there are many shops selling products related to anime with a female theme. It has rapidly become the worldwide headquarters for ‘otaku’ or geek culture.
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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10,000 within 5 kms
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5,588 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- ONE JOURNEY OSan Jose, California43 contributionsRiyugien Garden in FallVisited on Nov. 30, 2023. Amazing garden punctuated with stunning fall colors. One of the best fall peeking experiences we ever had. Fall prediction for Tokyo for this year is right on. Pls see pictures.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 November 2023
- Glenn KBrisbane, Australia71 contributionsPleasant Walk in Well Manicured Japanese GardensWalked around the Rikugien Garden, guided by a friendly local Japanese that we had met a few days earlier. Very relaxing, especially the stop for tea and Japanese sweets at the teahouse. Since it was winter there weren't many vibrant colours but it was still a very peaceful experienceVisited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 3 February 2024
- chowsoGloucester, United Kingdom1,751 contributionsBeautiful gardensRikugien was one of the highlights of Tokyo for me, the garden is tucked away behind a residential area and is a beautiful example of a well manicured Japanese garden. The ponds and bridges were lovely and the maple trees so lusciously green. Definitely want to visit again in autumn as it looks like it would be spectacular. The entrance fee is minimal like most of the gardens in Japan, and it was really quiet when we went. A very tranquil place all in allVisited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 April 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
979 reviews
Excellent
426
Very good
446
Average
100
Poor
6
Terrible
1
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Glenn K
Brisbane, Australia71 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Walked around the Rikugien Garden, guided by a friendly local Japanese that we had met a few days earlier. Very relaxing, especially the stop for tea and Japanese sweets at the teahouse. Since it was winter there weren't many vibrant colours but it was still a very peaceful experience
Written 3 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chowso
Gloucester, UK1,751 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Rikugien was one of the highlights of Tokyo for me, the garden is tucked away behind a residential area and is a beautiful example of a well manicured Japanese garden. The ponds and bridges were lovely and the maple trees so lusciously green. Definitely want to visit again in autumn as it looks like it would be spectacular. The entrance fee is minimal like most of the gardens in Japan, and it was really quiet when we went. A very tranquil place all in all
Written 28 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnAir803420
Tokyo, Japan26,481 contributions
June 2024 • Solo
I have visited Rikugien Garden several times, but this time I used the Garden Guide (held twice a day at 11:00 and 14:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) to stroll around the garden. By using the Garden Guide, you can experience the history and charm of the garden that you would not notice if you were to stroll around alone. The Garden Guide takes about an hour, and is recommended if you want to get to know Rikugien Garden a little more in depth, as it can be visited on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and has plenty of time. Also, when I visited on June 1st, the Japanese hydrangeas in the garden were starting to bloom. Western hydrangeas can be seen in many places, but I think it is very rare to find a place where you can see Japanese hydrangeas in their natural state, so if you are interested in Japanese hydrangeas, how about this (there is a donation box to the right of the ticket sales window, and you can get a hydrangea pamphlet by donating). Please note that embankment repair work (scheduled for April to November 2024) is currently underway within the garden, which has caused some disruption to the garden's scenery, so please be aware of this if you are planning to visit Rikugien in the near future.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nel
Brandon, FL674 contributions
Oct 2022
Beautiful path, many small bridges,, beside lake, Nothing showy-just a well manicured mature garden in the middle of a city. It had numerous places to sit and enjoy the quiet. It had the only trash can
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ぜんのすけ
Odawara, Japan32 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
I went on December 9th, hearing that it was the best time to visit, and entered the garden around 11am. I was able to take a breath of fresh air and stroll around the beautiful red and yellow strolling garden. If you walk around normally and take photos, it will take about an hour, but if you take breaks, it will take about an hour and a half! The sidewalks are wide and there are relatively few ups and downs, making it easy to walk around. For the elderly, sneakers are recommended, not heels. However, there are stairs on the map that say "No wheelchairs allowed", so you can rest assured.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arare
Kaneohe, HI48 contributions
Apr 2023
We really enjoyed this park although at the time the weeping cherry blossom had lost its flowers. It is very serene. We also enjoyed the teahouse there sitting and snacking on tea and manju. I could have spent hours there. We went there to see the weeping cherry blossom which lost its blossoms, but enjoyed the walk through the park. It wasn't crowded and a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
みるく７３３８５１
Hirakata, Japan5,331 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
This garden was created about 300 years ago during the Edo period. It was restored in the Meiji period by the Iwasaki family, the founding family of Mitsubishi. It is said that it used to be much larger. It is famous for the large weeping cherry tree that stands just inside the entrance. You can enjoy various views by walking around the pond. You can get a panoramic view of the garden from the slightly elevated Fujishiro Pass. You can enjoy various views depending on the season, such as maples, azaleas, and bush clovers.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick
Bangkok, Thailand133 contributions
Nov 2020
Right next to Konagome station. Entrance fee is 300 Yen and the park is a nice stroll.
Some nice Autumn foliage but not overly spectacular.
Good spot for a stroll away from the hustle and bustle.
Some nice Autumn foliage but not overly spectacular.
Good spot for a stroll away from the hustle and bustle.
Written 16 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ONE JOURNEY O
San Jose, CA43 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Visited on Nov. 30, 2023. Amazing garden punctuated with stunning fall colors. One of the best fall peeking experiences we ever had. Fall prediction for Tokyo for this year is right on. Pls see pictures.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,604 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
Peaceful and serene, this strolling garden is a wonderful haven in the midst of bustling Tokyo. Arrive early to avoid the crowds during peak seasons in spring and autumn.
We entered the garden at the Someimon Gate which is only open two times a year. This brought us to a path along a canal and we felt as if we were walking through a forest. The pods of autumn colors were absolutely gorgeous and quite photogenic, especially as reflected in the canal. We took lots of photos, as did every other person we encountered. We followed the paths and walked up moss covered steps to a hilltop thatched roof teahouse which afforded fine views back towards the little bridge over the canal.
Proceeding along the wooded path, we finally burst out near the pond and found ourselves in a manicured garden, much more in the style we had anticipated and quite different from the woodland path. We made a circuit of the pond and at each turn the view changed as we had expected it would. We climbed the hill to Fujishirotoge viewpoint, overlooking the pond, for further vistas and more photos including a good view of Togetsukyo Bridge.
Before we left, we strolled again along the woodland walk. This time we found a path up a hill to a clear view of the bridge and, of course, there were many photographers there jockeying for the best position for that perfect photo. In fact, everywhere we walked, if we saw a group of five or more people with cameras and tripods, it seemed likely that they had found yet another perfect spot for photography, so - of course - we went there for a look-see.
We are not up on our Japanese or Chinese literature, but apparently the garden contained references to 88 scenes from literature and history. The few signs were were able to read indicated that not all 88 views have been preserved.
A few tips you might find helpful from our visit:
¥300 entry fee for adults, ¥150 reduced rate for 65 and older, which is a a great deal and if you show them your copy of the Official Tokyo Tourism Guide map (or booklet) you get an additional discount of ¥30, which is a fabulous deal.
Take the JR Yamanote line and get off at Komagome Station. Do check online to see which gates are open. The Someimon Gate is much closer to the station (just 500 meters from the station), but it is usually closed; however, it is open during peak season in spring (late March - early April) and autumn (late November - early December).
Plan to spend at least several hours in this strolling garden, and arrive early. We spent 4 hours here - a good morning’s visit. We found ourselves waiting for photo ops until other visitors got out of our picture. On reviewing our photos, some of the shots actually were more interesting if there was a single person in them, for example, one person silhouetted, walking cross the Togetsukyo Bridge.
The koyo were just at peak on our visit on December 5. There is a large weeping cherry tree on the grounds which we imagine must be beautiful in sakura season.
Most of the paths are level, so folks with mobility issues should be able to visit and enjoy much of this garden.
There are toilets near the Someimon Gate which we used before returning to the station.
We entered the garden at the Someimon Gate which is only open two times a year. This brought us to a path along a canal and we felt as if we were walking through a forest. The pods of autumn colors were absolutely gorgeous and quite photogenic, especially as reflected in the canal. We took lots of photos, as did every other person we encountered. We followed the paths and walked up moss covered steps to a hilltop thatched roof teahouse which afforded fine views back towards the little bridge over the canal.
Proceeding along the wooded path, we finally burst out near the pond and found ourselves in a manicured garden, much more in the style we had anticipated and quite different from the woodland path. We made a circuit of the pond and at each turn the view changed as we had expected it would. We climbed the hill to Fujishirotoge viewpoint, overlooking the pond, for further vistas and more photos including a good view of Togetsukyo Bridge.
Before we left, we strolled again along the woodland walk. This time we found a path up a hill to a clear view of the bridge and, of course, there were many photographers there jockeying for the best position for that perfect photo. In fact, everywhere we walked, if we saw a group of five or more people with cameras and tripods, it seemed likely that they had found yet another perfect spot for photography, so - of course - we went there for a look-see.
We are not up on our Japanese or Chinese literature, but apparently the garden contained references to 88 scenes from literature and history. The few signs were were able to read indicated that not all 88 views have been preserved.
A few tips you might find helpful from our visit:
¥300 entry fee for adults, ¥150 reduced rate for 65 and older, which is a a great deal and if you show them your copy of the Official Tokyo Tourism Guide map (or booklet) you get an additional discount of ¥30, which is a fabulous deal.
Take the JR Yamanote line and get off at Komagome Station. Do check online to see which gates are open. The Someimon Gate is much closer to the station (just 500 meters from the station), but it is usually closed; however, it is open during peak season in spring (late March - early April) and autumn (late November - early December).
Plan to spend at least several hours in this strolling garden, and arrive early. We spent 4 hours here - a good morning’s visit. We found ourselves waiting for photo ops until other visitors got out of our picture. On reviewing our photos, some of the shots actually were more interesting if there was a single person in them, for example, one person silhouetted, walking cross the Togetsukyo Bridge.
The koyo were just at peak on our visit on December 5. There is a large weeping cherry tree on the grounds which we imagine must be beautiful in sakura season.
Most of the paths are level, so folks with mobility issues should be able to visit and enjoy much of this garden.
There are toilets near the Someimon Gate which we used before returning to the station.
Written 19 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No, it’s a Japanese Garden not a park per se so nobody jogs there. Try Yoyogi Park or the jogging route around the Imperial Palace.
Written 8 May 2019
suesteyn
Johannesburg, South Africa
Is it necessary to pre book if we'll be there April 2018 (cherry blossom time)? If so, where can I do this online? thank you
Written 30 January 2018
As for "pre booking" as I say, as a public park operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Government - as such, and as a public facility, there is no "booking" or "pre booking".
Written 15 February 2018
What are the opening hours? I saw night pictures with beautiful lights but not sure when they close in the evening.
Written 10 October 2017
When I was there in August, closing time was 1700 and that is the general closing time all year round. However, it remains open until 2100 during Cherry Blossom and Autumn Colour seasons. Autumn Colour runs roughly until mid or late November. Hope this helps!
Written 10 October 2017
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