The Kiyosumi Gardens are a circular garden with a fountain, an artificial hill, and a dry landscape garden. In 1878, industrialist Yataro Iwasaki purchased the site of a dilapidated mansion and planned to create a garden. After his death, work continued on the garden, which was completed in 1880 as the Fukagawa Fellowship Garden. In 1932, the garden was opened to the public, and in March 1979, it was designated as a place of scenic beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In 1977, an additional site adjacent to the west side of the garden opened as an open park, which is still the current configuration now.
There are three different types of "rock crossing" in the park, and you can enjoy the changing scenery as you walk along. Also, on days when it is quietly raining or after it has rained, the various stones in the park shine beautifully in the rain, giving them a different look. Since there are relatively few visitors on rainy days, this sight is popular to only a very few. The park on the west side of the garden has a lawn, a pergola, and about 20 cherry trees, making it a popular place for cherry blossom viewing in spring.
Normally, Japanese guides are available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and English guides are available on the second Sunday of every month, but due to the need to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, this service is not yet available. If you are interested, please contact us.
Highlights
-
The garden is a circular forest garden with a fountain, an artificial mountain and a dry landscape garden.
-
At the edge of the pond, rock crossing are placed in three places so that visitors can walk across the pond.
-
In spring, it is a popular place for cherry blossom viewing.
-
The stones in the garden glisten when there is light rain or after it has rain which is a sight to behold.