PARKS AND GARDENS
PARKS AND GARDENS
Parks and gardens in Japan have, for centuries, existed as places to escape and unwind. From the contemplative temple rock gardens to the private Japanese gardens of the elite. No matter where you are in Japan, you can find beautiful and historic places to sit and enjoy the scenery. This national enjoyment also extends to cherry blossom parties, autumn foliage viewing and the development of forest bathing in the 1980s. Even in the busiest parts of Tokyo, a calming stroll through nature is waiting just around the corner. So read on to see our thoughts on the best parks and gardens in Japan.
POPULAR POSTS
Tokyo’s Secret Wilderness: Exploring Todoroki Valley
Todoroki Valley is one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. Had your fill of busy...
Kanazawa Itinerary: A One-Day Tour in this Historic City
For lovers of Japanese culture and history, a visit to Kanazawa is a...
Fantastic Florals at Nokonoshima Island Park
The Nokonoshima Island Park is a go-to spot...
Kenrokuen Garden: A Stroll for All Seasons
One simply cannot go to Kanazawa without visiting Kenrokuen Garden. Besides being among...
Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
Somei Yoshino: The Ageing King of Cherry Blossoms
Known as the 'king of cherry trees', the Somei Yoshino variety have delighted...
Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour
Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...
Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks
Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...
The Nagasaki Hypocenter and Nagasaki Peace Park
After visiting the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, I...
Ueno Park: One of the Best Places to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo
Come springtime in Japan, there’s one thing on everybody’s mind: cherry blossoms. People...
Paying Respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Without question, one of the top attractions in Hiroshima is the Peace Memorial...
Serene Gardens, Exquisite Kaiseki and Feudal History at Fugetsuro, Shizuoka
Ah, Shizuoka. Rolling hectares of tea crops, vast lakes, rushing rivers, stretching coastlines...
Family Fun At Fukuoka’s Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
If you’re searching for a fun family activity...
Your Romantic Kobe Getaway: Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Perched above Kobe city and boasting over 75,000 herbs and blooming flowers, Nunobiki...
Yokohama’s International Gateway: Osanbashi Pier, a.k.a the Yokohama International Passenger Terminal
Those arriving by boat will know it well. However, those visiting Yokohama’s Red...
Tsukiji Market Trek – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 2
After leaving Ginza on your way south, the luxury of early 20th century...
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...
The Nakasendo Trail: 1 day hike from Magome to Tsumago
Picture this: you're a feudal lord (daimyo) with land, money and power within...
Fresh Matcha and Garden Strolls at Okochi Sanso Garden
For those who enjoy a peaceful garden stroll, Japan is certainly the country...
Japan’s Rainy Season is Perfect for Hydrangea Hunting
Many people think of tsuyu, or the rainy season, as one of the...
A Cultural Heritage Park in Tokyo – Rikugien Garden of Waka poetry
Beautiful Parks in Tokyo
Many...
Top Tokyo Instagram Spots: Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden’s Japanese Clover Tunnel
It’s like stepping into a fairy tale. In fact, passing into Mukojima-Hyakkaen’s Japanese...
Tokyo’s Secret “Power Spot”: Meiji Jingu Inner Garden
I look on as a group of five groundskeepers silently go about their...
Moss: An Essential Element of Japanese Culture
Ask someone what they would associate with Japanese culture, and many things might...
Hiroshima’s Many-Layered History: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 7
Amongst the different regional varieties of the savory pancake-like concoction known as okonomiyaki,...
This Romantic Park in Fukuoka is the Perfect Place to Chill Out: Ohori Park
Fukuoka is a shopper’s paradise; its most famous feature being Hakata Canal City,...
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Beloved by David Bowie: Why Shoden-ji Temple is One of Kyoto’s Hidden Gems
Kyoto is the land of limitless temples and shines. That said, many of...
Glover Garden, Nagasaki’s Foreign Settlement
Perched atop a hill in the Minami-Yamate district,...
Hanami in Inokashira Park: A How To Guide
It would be a shame to be in Japan during cherry blossom season...
The Many Eruptions of Sakurajima: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 13
At the southern tip of the Japanese mainland and the island of Kyushu,...
Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview
In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...
An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara
“The Japanese people just do everything so authentically. They copy every last detail...
How to Frolic with the 1,200 Bowing Deer in Nara Park
It sounds like a crazy fantasy. In Japan, there’s a city. And in...
Springtime in Hokkaido’s Biei–Furano
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and sidles the frosty southeastern part of Russia. It is...
Rockabillies, Dogs in Turtlenecks and Soothing Nature at Yoyogi Park
Whenever someone visits Tokyo, I’m quick to recommend slotting Yoyogi Park into their...
Exploring The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama is a lush, scenic district west of Kyoto which translates directly to...
Studio Ghibli, Live Music, and Cursed Swan Boats: A Day at Inokashira Park
Looking for some family-friendly activities in Tokyo? Add Inokashira Park (Inokashira-koen) to your...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
Retro cocktails, hip coffee, and Michelin Italian food: An evening in Yoyogi Uehara
On the outskirts of Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi Uehara has a reputation for being a...
The Hakone Open-Air Museum: A Playground for Art Enthusiasts
Visiting an art museum is probably not top of most people’s lists when...
Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...
An Autumn Stroll through Momijidani Park on Miyajima
Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima, Miyajima island is a paradise for...
Tokyo’s Plum Blossom Season: Where and why you should go
While much ado is made about Japan's cherry blossom season, winter-weary travellers should...
Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...
Heading North? Check Out This Massive 6-Pointed Star Fort: Goryokaku in Hakodate
Ah, Hokkaido. Japan’s great white north. The country’s mysterious, Northern-most island draws skiers...
The Hells of Beppu: A Journey to the Japanese Underwold
Tucked into the north eastern corner of Kyushuu, the Seven Hells of Beppu...
Tokyo Zoos: A Guide to Tokyo’s Wild Side
Amidst the towering skyscrapers of downtown Tokyo and the low grey concrete of...
Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
There’s nothing more soothing than spending a day in nature; I’ve always thought...
Art Deco in Tokyo’s Ex-Imperial Forest: The Teien Art Museum and Institute for Nature Study
Fan of Art Deco? Nature lover? Want to tread in the footsteps of...
Frittering About in Fukuoka: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 10
Sometimes, the best days of a vacation are the ones where things fail...
