Kiyosumi Garden In Tokyo, A Dream Garden Built By A Millionaire

What is Kiyosumi Garden?

Kiyosumi Garden is a Japanese garden in the Koto ward of Tokyo. Originally, it is said to have been the home of Kinokuniya Bunzaemon (*1), a wealthy merchant from the Edo Period. After that, it became the home of Kuzeyamato Mamoru, a daimyo from what is now Chiba prefecture, who laid the foundation for turning the land into a garden.

In 1878, Yataro Iwasaki purchased the land and in 1880 completed the beautiful garden that you see today. Yataro Iwasaki lived off of his connections to politicians and made money during the upheaval of the Meiji Period, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Mitsubishi Group.

*1 Kinokuniya Bunzaemon Kishu: A wealthy merchant from what is now known as Wakayama prefecture. At that time, oranges were in surplus and remained unsold in Wakayama but were considered delicacies in Edo (Tokyo). Knowing this, Kinokuniya sailed to Tokyo with a ship full of oranges and made his fortune. Many legends exist surrounding Kinokuniya, like the rumor that he squandered his fortune all by himself.

Landscaping Techniques for Kiyosumi Garden: Strolling around the Garden

Kiyosumi Garden was built in such a way so that people can enjoy walking around the circumference of the pond. This garden has a large fountain pond and an artificial hill, where its main feature is the traditional Japanese dry landscape garden which aims to express the illusion of mountains and rivers using only rocks and sand.

Basic Information for Kiyosumi Garden

© (Public Property) Tokyo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Kiyosumi Garden is open from 9:00-17:00. Last entry into the garden is 16:30. The garden is closed from December 29th through January 1st.

Entrance Fee: Middle school and above 150 yen, elementary school or younger free, and those over 65 years of age 70 yen. On May 4th, Greenery Day, and October 1st, City Day entrance is free.

For more information on other facilities within the city and the days in which they are open free to the public, please check out the article entitled Free Zoos, Museums And Parks In The City! Free Entry Day Calendar.

Access to Kiyosumi Garden

The closest station to Kiyosumi Garden is Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station on the Toei Oedo Line and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line. The garden is located three minutes from the station on foot.

Access from Tokyo Station

If you are headed to Kiyosumi Garden from Tokyo Station, first make your way towards Otemachi Station, a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station. From Otemachi Station, take the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line headed for Minami-Kurihashi and get off at Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station. The train ride will take approximately seven minutes and cost 170 yen.