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
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...
Springtime in Hokkaido’s Biei–Furano
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and sidles the frosty southeastern part of Russia. It is...
Myoshin-ji Temple and Taizo-in’s Garden: Kyoto’s Past, Perfectly Preserved.
Although much of Kyoto city's architectural and cultural history has skyrocketed in popularity...
An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara
“The Japanese people just do everything so authentically. They copy every last detail...
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,...
An Autumn Stroll through Momijidani Park on Miyajima
Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima, Miyajima island is a paradise for...
Exploring The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama is a lush, scenic district west of Kyoto which translates directly to...
Fresh Matcha and Garden Strolls at Okochi Sanso Garden
For those who enjoy a peaceful garden stroll, Japan is certainly the country...
Higanbana Flower Viewing at Kinchakuda in Saitama
While most people associate spring with flowers, there are plenty of lovely blossoms...
Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour
Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...
Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview
In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...
Moss: An Essential Element of Japanese Culture
Ask someone what they would associate with Japanese culture, and many things might...
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...
Kyoto City Walking Tour: Concrete, Jungles and Kyoto’s Oldest Shrine.
View This Tour on Google Maps
If you're looking...
Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks
Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...
Kanazawa Itinerary: A One-Day Tour in this Historic City
For lovers of Japanese culture and history, a visit to Kanazawa is a...
All The Matsumoto Highlights In This One Day Itinerary
Matsumoto is a castle city, surrounded by the...
Kyoto’s Botanical Greenhouse: The Perfect Winter Warmer
Kyoto city sees its highest visitor numbers in spring, at the peak of...
Serenity A Stone’s Throw Away At Tokyo’s Kiyosumi Gardens
There's no shortage of beautiful parks and green spaces in Tokyo. So, to...
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...
The Many Eruptions of Sakurajima: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 13
At the southern tip of the Japanese mainland and the island of Kyushu,...
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...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
A Cultural Heritage Park in Tokyo – Rikugien Garden of Waka poetry
Beautiful Parks in Tokyo
Many...
Family Fun At Fukuoka’s Uminonakamichi Seaside Park
If you’re searching for a fun family activity...
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...
Experience Summer Fireflies in Tokyo at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
At night, the winding paths of Tokyo’s Chinzanso Garden are bathed in a...
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...
The Nakasendo Trail: 1 day hike from Magome to Tsumago
Picture this: you're a feudal lord (daimyo) with land, money and power within...
Frittering About in Fukuoka: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 10
Sometimes, the best days of a vacation are the ones where things fail...
The Oldest Things to See in Tokyo: Ultimate Guide
While the historic aspects of Tokyo aren’t as immediately obvious as in some...
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...
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...
Tokyo’s Secret “Power Spot”: Meiji Jingu Inner Garden
I look on as a group of five groundskeepers silently go about their...
The Nagasaki Hypocenter and Nagasaki Peace Park
After visiting the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, I...
Kenrokuen Garden: A Stroll for All Seasons
One simply cannot go to Kanazawa without visiting Kenrokuen Garden. Besides being among...
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...
Aizuwakamatsu: An Overnight Stay in the Samurai City
The name Fukushima still carries negative associations after the tragic nuclear disaster in...
Japan’s Rainy Season is Perfect for Hydrangea Hunting
Many people think of tsuyu, or the rainy season, as one of the...
Suizenji Garden: Where the Art of War and Culture Resonate with One Another
One of Japan’s most renowned landscapes, Kumamoto’s Suizenji Garden is a stunning representation...
Tsukiji Market Trek – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 2
After leaving Ginza on your way south, the luxury of early 20th century...
The Hells of Beppu: A Journey to the Japanese Underwold
Tucked into the north eastern corner of Kyushuu, the Seven Hells of Beppu...
Watch the Forest Fireflies of Ishigaki Declare Their Summer Love
Every year in Japan, as the spring season fades and the temperature starts...
Paying Respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Without question, one of the top attractions in Hiroshima is the Peace Memorial...
Feel the Summer Breeze with Hyogo’s Decorative Ornamental Ferns
Come the first spurt of hot sunshine and 30-degree-Celsius weather, you will unmistakably...
Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...
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...
Rockabillies, Dogs in Turtlenecks and Soothing Nature at Yoyogi Park
Whenever someone visits Tokyo, I’m quick to recommend slotting Yoyogi Park into their...
A Mystical Sea of Clouds in Tokyo’s Historic Chinzanso Garden
If you venture out of the cities, you’ll find that Japan is a...
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Fantastic Florals at Nokonoshima Island Park
The Nokonoshima Island Park is a go-to spot...
Somei Yoshino: The Ageing King of Cherry Blossoms
Known as the 'king of cherry trees', the Somei Yoshino variety have delighted...
Tokyo Zoos: A Guide to Tokyo’s Wild Side
Amidst the towering skyscrapers of downtown Tokyo and the low grey concrete of...
Tokyo’s Secret Wilderness: Exploring Todoroki Valley
Todoroki Valley is one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. Had your fill of busy...
The Hakone Open-Air Museum: A Playground for Art Enthusiasts
Visiting an art museum is probably not top of most people’s lists when...
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...
Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
Serene Gardens, Exquisite Kaiseki and Feudal History at Fugetsuro, Shizuoka
Ah, Shizuoka. Rolling hectares of tea crops, vast lakes, rushing rivers, stretching coastlines...
Hiroshima’s Many-Layered History: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 7
Amongst the different regional varieties of the savory pancake-like concoction known as okonomiyaki,...
Your Romantic Kobe Getaway: Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Perched above Kobe city and boasting over 75,000 herbs and blooming flowers, Nunobiki...
Glover Garden, Nagasaki’s Foreign Settlement
Perched atop a hill in the Minami-Yamate district,...
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...
Hanami in Inokashira Park: A How To Guide
It would be a shame to be in Japan during cherry blossom season...
A Sea of Wisteria Reflected in the Rice Fields Near Odate City
25 years ago, a local farmer planted a wisteria garden as a hobby....
