Higo Hosokawa Garden

Located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, this Japanese garden utilizes the former estate of the Hosokawa family, the feudal lords of the Kumamoto domain with a revenue of 540,000 koku. The garden is a strolling pond garden that takes advantage of the sloping terrain of the Mejirodai plateau, offering a three-dimensional view. Some of the pathways are designed with stepping stones typical of Heian period aristocracy residences, utilizing the plateau's spring water in a "yarimizu" style, which is characteristic of this garden.

During the Edo period, the area was initially occupied by the estates of hatamoto (direct retainers of the shogun), and later became a detached residence for the Tokugawa family's Shimizu and Hitotsubashi branches. By the end of the Edo period, it became a secondary residence for the Hosokawa family and was upgraded to their main residence in 1882. The garden was opened as Shin-Edogawa Park in 1961 and was renamed Higo Hosokawa Garden in 2017.

The Shouseikaku Pavilion, which once served as the Hosokawa family’s residence and later as a place of learning, has been preserved and restored. The room "Tsubaki" has been carefully refurbished to maintain its original form and now serves as a tea room. The second-floor viewing area, "Sazanka," is also open to visitors.

The garden is known for its seasonal beauty, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful autumn leaves from species such as Japanese maple, hackberry, and wax tree. An autumn light-up event enhances the scenery, and various activities like yoga and guided tours are held regularly.