Beyond the well-known parks and famous tourist spots, the city is full of quiet, often-overlooked green spaces that offer a peaceful break from the noise and crowds. These hidden gardens – some tucked behind temples, others nestled in residential neighborhoods – are perfect for a calm afternoon stroll or a quiet moment of reflection. If you’re looking to explore a different side of Tokyo, these lesser-known spots are well worth discovering.
Roka Koshun-en Park
In 1907, renowned novelist Tokutomi Roka moved from Aoyama, Tokyo, to the rural area of Chitosemura Kasuya, where he lived a simple, reflective life as a self-described “farmers with aesthetics”. He named his peaceful retreat “Koshun-en”, and his former residence – now called the Tokutomi Roka Old Village – still stands today. After Roka’s passing, his wife Aiko donated their home and surrondings land to the city of Tokyo. Honoring her wishes, the area was transformed into Roka Koshun-en Park in 1938 to preserve the beauty of the Musashino landscape. Aiko’s later home, built by the city, now serves as an assembly hall, and a museum that opened in 1959 to exhibit Roka’s personal belongings, writings, letters, and farming tools.
The park is a haven of seasonal beauty, from spring cherry blossoms, wisteria, to fall’s “tunnel of flowers”. Its central flower beds bloom with cosmos, sunflowers, rape blossoms, tulips, and more, offering a colorful backdrop for relaxation. A peaceful bamboo grove of moussochiku trees add to the charm, evoking the area’s natural heritage. With the Setagaya Literature Museum nearby, Roka Koshun-en is a must visit for literature lovers and anyone seeking tranquility in nature.
HOURS: 9:00AM-16:30PM
Admission: FREE
Access: 15 minute walk from Roka-Koen Station/Hachiman-yama Station.
Keio Mogusaen
Tucked away in the tranquil Tama Hills, Kei Mogusaen is a historical garden with deep cultural roots and stunning natural beauty. Founded during the Kyoho era (1716-1735) of the Edo period, the site was once home to Shorinji Temple, rebuilt by the devoted nun Jushoin Jigaku Gechouni, who is also said to have planted the park’s jushobai plum trees. Today, Kei Mogusaen boasts 500 plum trees across 50 varieties, transforming the park into a fragrant wonderland each spring. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal sights and sounds year-round – from the call of warblers in spring to cuckoos in early summer.
A 140-meter lookout point offers breathtaking views of the garden’s thatched-roof buildings framed by blossoms and greenery, with clear days revealing Tokyo Skytree in the distance. In autumn, the garden reaches new heights of beauty. At Sanreki-an, fiery osakazuki maple leaves contrast strikingly with the surrondings bamboo and the traditional tearoom, creating a stunning scene with a vivid carpet of red leaves.
Whether you’re drawn by plum blossoms, bird song, or autumn colors, Keio Mogusaen is a peaceful escape steeped in history and seasonal charm.
HOURS: 9AM-17PM *Park closes at 16:30PM in November and December*
Closed Wednesday (also days following holidays, and New Year’s period December 30-January 3)
| Adults | Children | Annual Passport |
| ¥500 | ¥100 | ¥2000 |
Access: 10-minute walk from Keio Line’s Mogusaen Station
Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden
Nestled in the Mukojima district of Sumida ward, Mukojima Hyakkaen is a charming, historic garden with deep ties to Japanese literature and art. Established in the early 19th century by antiques dealer Sahara Kikuu and fellow lovers of nature and poetry, this tranquil oasis began as a flourishing plum orchard of 360 trees. Over time, a wide variety of flowers and plants mentioned in classic Chinese and Japanese literature were added, giving rise to the name “Hyakkaen” – meaning “Garden of a Hundred Flowers”.
Today, the garden boasts around 230 plant species, including the seven herbs of spring and seven flowers of autumn, with the highlight being the Hagi Tunnel – a 3 meter long trellis of bush clover that blooms beautifully each September. A long pond stretches across the eastern part of the garden, adding to its peaceful ambiance.
Nanakusa no sekku (7 herbs of Spring): Japanese celery parsley (Seri), Shepard’s purse (Nanazuna), cudweed (Hahakogusa), chickweed (Gnaphalium affine; hakobe), nipplewort (Koonitabirako), turnip (Kabu), Japanese white radish (Daikon)
Aki-no-nanakusa (7 flowers of Autumn): Bush clover (Hagi), Kudzu (Kuzu), Japanese pampas frass (Obana), Golden lace (Ominaeshi), Gillyflower (Nadeshiko) , Thoroughwort (Fujibakama), bellflower (Kikyo).
Designated a national site of historical significance in 1979, Mukojima Hyakkaen reflects its literary heritage through 29 stone monuments inscribed with poetry, including works by the famed haiku master Matsuo Basho. A traditional Japanese house on the grounds is avaliable for cultural events and gatherings. The garden is also part of the Sumida River Seven Gods of Fortune pilgrimage, and features a small shrine to Fukurokuji, the god of wisdom and longevity, tucked into its northwest corner.
Perfect for the garden enthusiasts and lovers of clasical Japanese culture, Mukojima Hyakkaen offers a serene reflective retreat that celebrates nature through the lens of art and poetry.
Hours: 9:00AM-17:00PM, last entry at 16:30 (Closed December 29-January 3)
| Adults | Seniors 65+ | Pre-School + Middle-School Students |
| ¥150 | ¥70 | FREE (if residents of Tokyo) |
Access: 8 minute walk from Higashi-Mukojima Station on the Tobu Skytree Line. 13 minute walk from Keisei-Hikifune Station on the Keisei Oshiage Line. 2 minute walk from Hyakkaen-Mae bus stop on the Toei Bush Kemido-Nippori route 22.
Mejiro Garden
Tucked away in Toshima Ward and just a short walk from JR Mejiro Station, Mejiro Garden was created as a place to connect with nature and preserve traditional culture amidst the urbanization and internationalization of Toshima City. This traditional strolling garden features a large central pond, encircled by a winding path that invited visitors to take in the serene landscape. Despite its compact size, the garden showcases a variety of natural scenery, with seasonal flowers and trees that reflect the changing seasons. Highlights include Sekicho-an, a single-story sukiya-style building with a wooden-tiled roof, and the hexagonal Rokkaku Ukimido Pavilion – both offering unique vantage points from which to enjoy the garden’s charm.
Throughout the year, Mejiro Garden hosts a variety of cultural happenings – from tea ceremonies and flower arrangement exhibitions to traditional music performances. Seasonal highlights include the Cherry Blossom Festival in April, the Autumn Garden Light-up in November, and the Summer Night Garden with lantern-lit paths. With fish, turtles, ducks and bird-feeders to admire wild birds, Mejiro Garden offers a quiet, nature-rich escape right in the city – a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll, cultural experiences, or a romantic evening.
HOURS: 9:00AM-17:00PM (9:00AM-19:00PM during July and August)
Admission: FREE
Access: 5-minute walk from the JR Yamanote Line Mejiro Station
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
Once home to the Iwasaki family, founders of Mitsubishi and one of Tokyo’s most influential business dynasties, this sprawling 49,500m² estate blends Japanese tradition with Western grandeur. Originally, the Edo-period residence of the Echigo Takada Clan, the property changed hands several times before becoming the Iwasaki family’s opulent home.
Wander through the estate and you’ll encounter a mix of styles: a classic Japanese-style building, a Swiss-inspired billiard room, and a striking Western-style house influenced by British Jacobean and Pennsylvanian architecture. At its peak, the estate featured over 20 structures.
Afer WWII, the property was transferred to the government and later served as the Supreme Courts Judicial Research and Training Institute. In 2001, Tokyo took over its care, with several buildings and features – like the Great Hall, decorative screens, and tiled walls – designated as Important Cultural Assets between 1961 and 1999.
Nature lovers will appreciate the grounds, home to seasonal cherry blossoms, Japanese maples, gingko trees, and Himalayan cedar. A true blend of heritage, architecture, and horticulture, the Iwasaki residence is a serene escape into Japan’s modern history.
HOURS: 9:00AM-17:00PM (Last entry 16:30PM)
Admission: ¥400 (Seniors 65+: ¥200)
Access: Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Yushima Station, Exit #1 (3 minutes on foot). Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Ueno Hiro-koji Sta. (10 minutes on foot). Toei O-Edo Line, Ueno Okachi-machi Sta. (10 minutes on foot). JR Yamanote Line, Okamachi-Sta (15 minutes on foot).
Ikedayama Park
Ikedayama Park, located in Higashigotanda, Shinagawa ward, is a peaceful public garden with deep historical significance. Once the site of a lower villa belonging to the powerful Ikeda clan during the Edo period, the area was later developed into a prestigious residential neighborhood. The current park, opened in 1985, preserves the inner garden of the former villa, showcasing a classic Edo-period pond garden (chisen kaiyu-shiki teien) from the elevated viewpoint.
Visitors can enjoy seasonal blooms such as plum blossoms, camellias, azaleas, irises, hydrangeas, and vibrant autumn foliage. With spacious lawns and walking paths, the park offers a perfect escape for strolls and picnics. It’s also considered a spiritual “power spot”, believed to lie on a dragon vein channeling energy from Mount Fuji. Ikedayama Park is featured in local sightseeing tours like the “Shinagawa Power Spot Tour” and the “Jonan Gozan Tour”.
HOURS: 7:30AM-17:00PM (7:30AM-18:00PM in July and August). Closed Year-End and New Years Holidays.
Admission: FREE
Access: 15 minute walk from Gotanda Station (JR, Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line). 15 minute walk from Meguro Station (JR, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Tokyu Meguro Line)
Machida Yakushiike Park
Tucked away in Machida, Yakushiike Park is a peaceful haven for its seasonal flowers, scenic pond, and rich history. From early spring to late autumn, visitors can stroll wooden bridges among blooming Japanese irises, camellias, and lotus flowers. The park truly shines from May and August, when vibrant aquatic irises and giant lotuses transform the landscape into a painter’s dream.
But it’s not just about the plants – Yakushiike also features two historic buildings: the 8th – century Yakushido Temple (rebuilt in the 19th century) and the Nagai family farmhouse from the Edo period, both offering a glimpse into Japan’s past. Come in Februrary to catch the plum blossoms, or late November when the maple leaves and golden Gingko trees are at their peak. After your walk, unwind at the small cafe with tea and traditional Japanese sweets.
HOURS: 6:00AM-18:00PM (19:00PM in Summer)
Admission: FREE
Access: From Machida Station, take bus line 53 or 55 and get off at “Yakushiike” stop.
In a city that rarely slows down, these quiet escapes offer a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect – with nature, with tradition, or with yourself. Whether it’s a hidden garden tucked off the beaten path, or a peaceful grove behind an unassuming gate, these overlooked green spaces are waiting to be discovered. So next time you need a break from the noise, take a detour – you might just find your own secret sanctuary.
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