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Japanese Gardens Hama Rikyu Garden Considered to be the best garden in Tokyo, this serene oasis dates back 300 years, when it was used as a retreat for the Tokugawa shoguns. In 1871, it passed to the imperial family who used it to entertain visiting dignitaries. Located on Tokyo Bay and surrounded by water on three sides, the garden is draped with wisteria has an inner tidal pool, spanned by three bridges. There are other ponds; a refuge for herons, ducks, and other exotic birds; and a promenade lined with trees including a 300-year-old pine, and other pavilions. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden Koishikawa Korakuen Garden was built in the 17th century by one of the Tokugawa clan with the help of a Chinese scholar refugee. This exquisite, round garden once covered 63 acres but has been reduced over time to the16 acres we see there today. This remains Tokyo's oldest and most distinguished strolling gardens and is known for its minute replicas of famous scenic spots in Japan and China. With its bridges and ponds, wisteria, pine groves and flowering shrubs, you can see why it is so highly regarded. Not as famous as Hama Rikyu, it's also less crowded; a visit should take only about 30 minutes. Higashi Gyoen – or East Garden Located next to the Imperial Palace, this small garden provides a perfect retreat from the noise and bustle of the city. It is laid out in the typical Japanese style with a pond, stepping stones, and winding paths, and is particularly beautiful when the azaleas, wisteria, irises and other flowers start to bloom. It also houses the Sannomaru Shozokan, which displays exhibitions of art treasures that belonged to the imperial family. |