©Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office
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Beautiful gardens with seasonal nature and historical buildings.
Shinjuku Gyoen once stood as an estate of the Naito family, the hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa family in the Edo period before being established as an imperial garden in 1906. Today it remains open to the general public. Inside you’ll find the sprawling 58.3ha grounds keep three distinct gardens: a Japanese traditional garden, a formal garden, and a landscape garden, acclaimed as one of the best of modern day gardens. There’s even a greenhouse that keeps a collection of rare plants from Japan and around the world. In spring, you’ll find about 900 cherry blossoms of approx. 70 different varieties , and in the fall, the vibrant colors of autumn leaves await.
Stark contrast of the nature-rich park, backed by the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku. ©Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office
Cherry blossoms in spring. ©Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office
Brightly colored leaves in autumn. ©Shinjuku Gyoen Management Office
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
How crowded is the garden during cherry blossom season?
The number of visitors peaks on weekends and holidays when the Somei Yoshino cherries are almost in full bloom. Shinjuku Gyoen can be very crowded during the peak season, so you may require a reservation in advance to enter the garden. Please check the official website of Shinjuku Gyoen in advance. The many double-flowered cherry trees, a feature of Shinjuku Gyoen, are at their best when the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms start to fall. If you want to enjoy the double-flowered cherry trees, we recommend cherry blossom viewing from early to mid-April, although this varies from year to year. There are three entrance gates: the Shinjuku Gate, Okido Gate, and Sendagaya Gate, but we recommend using the Okido Gate or Sendagaya Gate as the Shinjuku Gate, the closest to Shinjuku Station, can be very crowded during the cherry blossom season.
Q
Are there restrooms with changing areas and/or nursing rooms?
There are 15 restrooms with a baby changing table in the garden, and 4 nursing rooms (hot water is not available).
Q
If you need to take shelter due to sudden severe thunderstorms, are there shelters?
You can take shelter in several places within the garden, such as the Central Rest House, Restaurant Yurinoki, and several other buildings across the garden grounds.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
One of the things I was most looking forward to on my Tokyo trip was seeing the cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. As soon as I entered the park, I was amazed by the blossoms in full bloom. The pink and white flowers, spacious lawns, ponds, and gardens came together like a beautiful spring painting.
Walking beneath the cherry trees was incredibly romantic. Whenever a gentle breeze passed through, petals slowly drifted to the ground, making me stop and admire the view. The park was very pleasant, with visitors leisurely enjoying the blossoms, taking photos, and making the most of spring. Compared with the bustling city, Shinjuku Gyoen felt peaceful and elegant, allowing me to fully appreciate the magic of cherry blossom season.
This visit not only gave me the chance to enjoy some of Tokyo’s most beautiful spring scenery, but also helped me appreciate how deeply people in Japan value and cherish nature. Although cherry blossom season is brief, it left me with wonderful, lasting memories.
The cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen are absolutely breathtaking. Whether you're having a picnic on the green lawn or strolling through the cherry blossom tunnels, it feels like stepping into a dream world.
The garden is huge. Watching the cherry blossoms and trees in such a beautiful setting really lifts your mood.
I really miss the season when the autumn leaves are everywhere.
An oasis of greenery in the city—a perfect garden for relaxing and unwinding.
