Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of Tokyo’s largest and most serene green spaces, located just a short walk from the bustling Shinjuku Station. This expansive park offers a tranquil escape from the city's urban energy, with wide open lawns, peaceful ponds, and gently winding paths. Visitors can enjoy a harmonious blend of natural beauty and meticulous landscaping year-round, but spring is when the park truly comes alive. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s most beloved cherry blossom viewing spots, home to over 1,000 cherry trees — including more than 400 iconic Somei Yoshino — that blanket the grounds in a breathtaking canopy of soft pink petals. Thanks to a variety of cherry species, the blooming season is extended, making it a prime hanami destination for both locals and travelers.

The park’s origins date back to the Edo Period, when it served as the private estate of a feudal lord. During the Meiji era, it was transformed into an agricultural experiment station and later designated an imperial garden in 1903 for the Japanese Imperial Family. Although much of the site was destroyed in World War II air raids, it was carefully restored and reopened to the public in 1949. Today, Shinjuku Gyoen is admired for its refined blend of garden styles: a traditional Japanese garden complete with teahouses and koi ponds, a formal French garden with symmetrical flowerbeds, and an open English landscape garden. Adding to its appeal is a large greenhouse that showcases a vivid collection of tropical and subtropical plants year-round, ensuring beauty in every season.