10 days in Japan - 10/29/2022 to 11/7/2022

Day 2- Shinjuku Gyoen Park -10/30/22

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park's spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center around it. In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms. Shinjuku Gyoen originated during the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence. Later it was converted into a botanical garden before being transferred to the Imperial Family in 1903 who used it for recreation and the entertainment of guests. The park was almost completely destroyed during World War II, but was eventually rebuilt and reopened in 1949 as a public park.  Since then it has been a beloved refuge for Tokyoites looking to enjoy a bit of nature in the center of the city.

The entrance of the park.

No cars is allowed in the park.

Buying tickets to get in.  Admission fee in 500 yen per person (around $3.50 - $4:00).

Shinjuku Gyoen Park covers about 145 acres on a roughly east to west axis.  Three gates (Shinjuku, Olido, and Sendagaya) allow entry into the garden which contains four major gardens.

From East to West these are formal Garden, Tamono Pond, Landscaped Garden, and Japanese Traditional Garden which has two Japanese tea houses.  Also, the Mother and Child Woods take visitors along the water's edge, across grassy meadows, and through various themed woodlands.

The greenhouse at the north side of the garden houses a wide collection of rare and endangered species of plants from around the Japanese islands, tropical plants around the world, and also a collection of ornamental orchids whose origins go back to the imperial greenhouses of a century ago.  The Old Imperial Rest House west of the greenhouse offers a glimpse of imperial life form over a hundred years ago.

It was a gorgeous fall day where the sun came out.

People exercising in the park

People are meeting at the park and form a group to exercise together.

A map of the park.

Japanese ladies dressing in kimonos, traditional Japanese outfit.

Purple flowers in the park.

These trees are really gorgeous.

Another group doing yoga in the park.

It was fairly early on a beautiful Sunday morning and the park was pretty empty.

The park is so vast and so open.

View of the city from the park.

View of the NTT Docomo Yoyogi building. At 790 ft. tall it is the 4th tallest building in Tokyo.

There are a lot of different types of trees that change colors around the park. Beautiful and majestic chestnut trees.

An old tree with a branch touching the soil.

Walkway lined with Cherry trees.

This area is home to a large number of cherry trees of more than a dozen different varieties.

Mature giant cherry trees.

In the spring people come here and camp here underneath the cherry blossom.

Just so you have an idea how this area looks like with the cherry blossom. From late March to early April, more than 400 somei yoshino trees blossom around the English garden, turning the lawns into one of Tokyo's most popular and pleasant hanami (flower viewing) spots.

 Shinjuku Gyoen is also nice to visit during autumn when the leaves are changing colors.

A giant tree that the trunk is wrapped in cloth for protection.

Vast lawn.

NEXT....Gyoen Park, Part 2