Hamarikyu Gardens is one of only a few major parks in the central Tokyo area, granting a much needed reprieve from the stressful city life. The gardens were originally build as a retreat for feudal lords during the early Edo Period, but were later transformed perminantly into gardens by the shogunate. The gardens remained private to the highest classes of society until they were opened to the public following the Second World War.

For visitors: 8.

I really enjoy going to these gardens whenever I get the chance. In the past, the gardens were just around the corner from the Tsukiji Fish Market, allowing myself and many others to enjoy the market, maybe have some fresh fish for lunch, and then stroll over to the gardens to look at whatever was in bloom at the time. The market may have moved, but the gardens are still as wonderful as ever. The gardens have a variety of trees and flowering plants which draw attraction throughout the year, but compared to other gardens in the Tokyo area, the concentration of these plants is often viewed to be lacking substance. For example, the gardens have maples and ginko trees which change colors in fall, but another park will have more trees in a tighter area making that park more ideal. In spring the plum and cherry blossoms bloom, but there are other parks that are better suited for hanami (flower viewing parties). I’m sorry, I’m making this sound like the gardens are a rip-off or something. Everything that I said before is absolutely true, but the gardens are amazingly beautiful. Centered around a salt water pond, tea houses and bridges connect each part of the garden where the different types of plants may be found. Looking up from the gravel paths, the towering city skyline is juxstaposed above the canopies.

As a silly side story, the first time I came to the gardens, I was visiting with a Japanese friend of mine whom I met when she was studying abroad at my university back in the states. As we approached the gardens, I got very excited because I recognized the masonry of the stone walls from other perminant warrior fortifications like castle keeps and walls. This little detail told me that not only were we going to a place which once employed proper fortifications to restrict access, it was funded by very high ranking members of society. My friend laughed and said, “Typical Brennan. I bring you here to see the spring flowers and you get excited about stone walls.”