Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: an imperial retreat
- japansophy
- Aug 15
- 5 min read
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (新宿御苑) is one of Tokyo's largest and most beautiful parks, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Despite its proximity to the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku, this expansive garden feels like a world away, blending three distinct styles: a meticulously designed traditional Japanese landscape garden, a formal French garden, and a sprawling English landscape garden.
The serene and picturesque atmosphere is a perfect backdrop for peaceful contemplation or a leisurely stroll. As you wander through the park, you'll encounter a variety of stunning vistas, from the carefully manicured lawns and symmetrical rose beds of the French Garden to the expansive, grassy spaces of the English Garden. The highlight for many is the Japanese Garden, with its serene ponds, elegant teahouses, and classic pavilions that are perfectly integrated with the lush landscape. The garden's tranquil paths and diverse flora make it an exceptional destination in every season, particularly in spring when hundreds of cherry trees burst into bloom and in autumn when the maple leaves turn fiery red and gold.
Getting There: Where is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden?
Shinjuku Gyoen is huge and has several gates, so it's very easy to access from various stations on different lines.
Nearest stations:
Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station (新宿御苑前駅) on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line - about a 5-minute walk to Shinjuku Gate.
Shinjuku-sanchome Station (新宿三丁目駅) on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Fukutoshin Lines; Toei Shinjuku Line) - about a 5-minute walk to Shinjuku Gate or Okido Gate.
JR Shinjuku Station (various JR lines) - about a 10-minute walk from the South East Exit to Shinjuku Gate.
By taxi: A taxi can drop you off near one of the main entrances.
Accessibility: The garden paths are mostly flat and well-maintained but some (for example, within the Japanese garden) are gravel, which can make using strollers and wheelchairs more difficult.
Opening hours & best time to visit
The gardens have set opening hours that vary throughout the year. Check the official website before you go to make sure of opening and closing times and to take advantage of possible special events.
Opening Hours: Generally from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM), but hours can extend during special seasons like cherry blossom and close earlier in winter. The garden is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday). It is open daily during cherry blossom season (late March to late April) and autumn foliage season (early November to early December).
Best time to visit:
Time of day: Early morning (shortly after opening) is a great time to beat the crowds
Season: The gardens are beautiful all year round.
Cherry blossom season (late March to late April) is absolutely stunning, but also very crowded.
Autumn (early November to early December) offers beautiful fall foliage within the vast grounds.
Special events: The gardens organise a special chrysanthemum display in the first two weeks of November, followed by an orchid exhibition in the same month. There are also one or two guided walks each month (in Japanese; see events calendar for dates).
Time to avoid: You can expect crowds during cherry blossom season and to a lesser extend during the autumn colour season.
Reservations & admission
Admission to the gardens is ticketed. During cherry-blossom season, it may be necessary to reserve online tickets in advance. This will depend on the crowds expected. If you want to visit during sakura season, check the website ahead of time for information on whether or not advance reservations are necessary (in 2025, for example, the reservation system was cancelled when poor weather meant fewer visitors than anticipated).
Reservations: Reservations may be necessary in advance at peak times (such as sakura season) and tickets can be purchased online from the website linked above. But generally, no reservations are required.
Admission price: Tickets for adults cost around ¥500, with discounts for students and those over the age of 65 (ID required). Children under 16 get in free.
Payment Method: Pay in cash or by Suica/Pasmo. Credit cards are also accepted.
What to see & do at Meiji Jingu
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden offers a remarkable blend of landscaping styles. The traditional Japanese Garden features large ponds, meticulously manicured trees, and classic pavilions, embodying the beauty of nature. The French Formal Garden dazzles with symmetrical flowerbeds and towering sycamore trees, while the English Landscape Garden provides expansive, open lawns perfect for lounging. There's also a beautiful greenhouse with tropical and subtropical plants. It's an ideal spot for photography, a leisurely stroll, or simply finding a quiet bench to read a book and escape the city's hustle.
Japanese traditional garden: With its winding paths, strategically placed rocks and picturesque bridges and stone lanterns, the Japanese garden is steeped in tranquility.
Taiwanese pavilion: This beautiful, elegant structure offers great views over the Japanese garden and is one of only a handful of authentic Chinese buildings in Japan.
Ginkgo tree-lined avenue: Located near the Shinjuku Gate, this is a beautiful spot at any time of year but is absolutely stunning in autumn and very Instagrammable.
Visit the greenhouse: The 2750 square metre greenhouse is home to a huge variety of tropical and sub-tropical plants and hosts an orchid exhibition in November.
Imperial rest house: This building was constructed in the western style for the imperial family in 1896 and is preserved as an Important Cultural Property.
Japansophy’s top tips!
Picnic perfect: Bring your own snacks or a bento box. The English Garden's expansive lawns are ideal for a relaxing picnic.
Mind the Rules: Be aware that alcohol is prohibited, and there are strict rules against loud noise and littering to maintain the peaceful atmosphere.
Be aware that the use of tripods or filming equipment is restricted, especially at the more crowded times of the year. The gardens also have strict rules on filming and photography: commercial filming or live streaming (for example, for use on YouTube or model photo shoots with the intention of selling the photos) is prohibited without a licence.
Facilities
The gardens have all the facilities you need for your visit.
Eating & drinking: There are a few small cafes and rest areas (including a Starbucks) within the garden where you can buy light refreshments. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted for picnics and there are vending machines throughout the park.
Toilets: Clean public restrooms are located throughout the garden.
Baby-changing Facilities: Baby-changing facilities are available at several points throughout the garden.
Other attractions nearby
While you're in the area, you might have time to visit one of the following attractions, too.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Free observation decks offering panoramic views of Tokyo (about a 15-20 minute walk).
Shinjuku Golden Gai: A charming, atmospheric area of tiny bars (best visited in the evening).
Meiji Jingu: Another oasis of serenity in the midst of the city, with a wooded walk down to a beautiful shrine.
Takeshita Dori: A complete contrast to the peace and openness of Shinjuku Gyoen, dive head-long into Japan's crazy, colourful pop culture with a walk down this busy, bright and eye-popping street.
Planning your trip to Tokyo and seeking a perfect balance of urban excitement and natural tranquility? Our expertly designed Tokyo itineraries guide you through essential experiences like Shinjuku Gyoen, ensuring you discover the city's diverse charms!
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