Koishikawa Korakuen - A Charming Historical Garden Near Tokyo Dome

What is Koishikawa Korakuen?

Koishikawa Korakuen is a Japanese garden found next to Tokyo Dome, the massive white roofed baseball stadium and event space in Tokyo. First ordered by Yorifusa Tokugawa, who was the eleventh son of Ieyasu Tokugawa (*1) in 1629 during the Edo period, this garden was finally completed by his son, Mitsukuni.

*1 Ieyasu Tokugawa: The founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan during the Edo period (1603 - 1868).

Landscaping of Koishikawa Korakuen: Circuit-Style Gardening

Koishikawa Korakuen is designed in the circuit-style of gardening where the soil was piled into a mound called Tsukiyama and has a large lake called Sensui.

Influenced by the ideals of Confucianism, Mitsukuni allowed a Confucian scholar by the name of Shunsui Shu to join in the landscaping of the garden. Therefore, the garden itself has heavy Chinese influences. The main trait of this garden is that you can see the various lakes, mountains, and rivers of Japan depicted in its structures.

Photo courtesy of JNTO

At Koishikawa Korakuen, you can enjoy charming seasonal view of flowers and plants. In the spring, there are azaleas, wisterias, lotus, iris and the shidarezakura cherry blossoms are magnificent. You can enjoy the crepe flower in the summer, red spider lilies and foliage in the autumn, plus Japanese camellia, sasanqua camellia, and plum blossoms in the winter.

Basic Information About Koishikawa Korakuen

Photo courtesy of JNTO

Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Closed: December 29th - January 1st
There may be special days off when events are held or extensions in hours.

Admission: general 300 yen, seniors over 65 years old 150 yen, children under elementary school free.

Free Entry Days: Greenery Day (May 4th), City Day (October 1st).

Access to Koishikawa Korakuen

Photo courtesy of JNTO

From Tokyo Station

From Tokyo Station, get on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and get off at Korakuen Station. It takes around nine minutes and costs 170 yen. From Korakuen Station, it is then about an eight minute walk.

From Shinjuku Station

From Shinjuku Station, get on the JR Sobu line and get off at Iidabashi Station. It is about a 12 minute ride and costs 160 yen.

Other stations that are relatively close are the following:
Iidabashi Station - three-minute walk from Exit C3 of Oedo Subway line Iidabashi Station; eight-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Sobu line Iidabashi Station; eight-minute walk from the A1 Exit of Tokyo Metro Tozai line, Yurakucho line or the Namboku line Iidabashi Station.
Korakuen Station - eight-minute walk from the Central Exit of the Korakuen Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line or the Namboku line.