Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden began as a daimyo residence site, became an agricultural experiment station after the Meiji Restoration, then an Imperial Household garden, and finally opened in 1906. While it served as an imperial garden used for diplomacy, it was opened to the public in 1949. The garden combines a formal European-style garden, an English landscape garden, and a Japanese garden. The expansive grounds feature broad lawns and, in the landscape garden, large trees left in a natural state—considered one of Japan’s rare masterpieces of that style. Seasonal beauty can be enjoyed year-round, beginning with cherry blossoms in spring, and the site also includes many historic structures. Notably, the former Western-style imperial resting house, “Kyuyokan Gokyusho,” is designated an Important Cultural Property. Facilities such as “Restaurant Yurinoki” offer meals and rest, including items linked to Shinjuku Gyoen’s history. Access is convenient from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station (about 5 minutes on foot), and also from Shinjuku-sanchome and other nearby stations.