What kind of place is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden?
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is said to have its roots in the mansion of a feudal lord given to Kiyonari Naito, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, a state-run agricultural experimental station was established, and after being designated as Imperial Household Ministry land, it was established as an imperial garden in 1906.
It developed as a palace garden as an international diplomatic base, and was opened to the public as a national park in 1949.
There is a vast lawn inside Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It’s very spacious. With an area of 58.3 hectares(0.583㎢), the vast site is home to a variety of gardens and plants.
Let’s take a walk around Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a paid park. To enter, please pay at one of the three entrances: Shinjuku Gate, Okido Gate, and Sendagaya Gate. Payment with electronic money (SUICA) is also possible.
I entered from Okido Gate, so I will guide you along the route from Okido Gate.
A guide map like this one is available for free as soon as you enter the park. Please feel free to use it if you need it. In addition to the Japanese version, there is also an English version.
You can see the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Museum right in front of you. This is a new museum that was just opened in 2022, and exhibits the history of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Old Western-style mansion was built in 1896 as a resting place for the Emperor and other members of the imperial family to view the greenhouses inside Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. In 1924, it reached its current size and was used as a clubhouse.
The building was designed by the Imperial Household Ministry and is based on the American stick style of architecture.
(Designated as an important cultural property (architecture) in 2001)
There is a vast lawn inside Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Although it is very spacious, the trees and lawns are well-maintained, allowing you to relax surrounded by beautiful nature in the middle of the metropolis of Tokyo.
There is also a forest area within the park, where you can enjoy a walk surrounded by large trees and feeling the negative ions.
It is also a walking course for families and couples, and some people enjoy jogging within the park.
There is also an area with a Japanese garden.
If you get tired of walking, you can also take a break at Starbucks.
The four seasons of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Japan has four seasons. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden also shows us the scenery of each season.
Spring
In spring, various flowers begin to bloom all at once. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. We also recommend taking a walk in the spring sunshine.
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
Summer
In summer, the hydrangeas are in full bloom, the leaves on the trees are lush, and you can feel the coolness as you walk through the forest.
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
Autum
In autumn, the trees in the garden change color and you can enjoy the autumn leaves.
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
Winter
In winter, there may be a light layer of snow, but the scenery inside the garden covered in snow is also wonderful, so please enjoy it.
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
(Quoted from https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/place/season/)
Access
National Park Association Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014
TEL 03-3341-1461
FAX 03-3341-1528
E-mail info-shinjuku@fng.or.jp
[General counter]
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Service Center
TEL 03-3350-0151
[Reception hours] From 9:00 AM until 30 minutes after closing *Excluding days when Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is closed
Access to Shinjuku Gate
Train
JR/Keio/Odakyu Line
↓
10 minutes walk from the south exit of Shinjuku Station
Seibu Shinjuku Line
↓
15 minutes walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station Exit 1
Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station E5 exit
Toei Shinjuku Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station C1/C5 exit
Bus
Toei bus Shina 97 (Shinagawa garage – Shinjuku station west exit) Get off at Shinjuku Sanchome
Toei Bus Ike 86 (Higashi Ikebukuro 4-chome – Shibuya Station East Exit) Get off at Shinjuku 4-chome
Toei Bus Haya 77 (Waseda – Shinjuku Station West Exit) Get off at Shinjuku Isetan-mae
Shinjuku WE Bus (Shinjuku Station West Exit – Shinjuku Station East Exit) Get off at Shinjuku Gyoen
Access to Okidomon
Train
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station Exit 2
Bus
Toei bus Shina 97 (Shinagawa garage – Shinjuku station west exit) Get off at Shinjuku 1-chome
Toei Bus Ike 86 (Higashi Ikebukuro 4-chome – Shibuya Station East Exit) Get off at Shinjuku 4-chome
Access to Sendagaya Gate
Train
JR Sobu Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Sendagaya Station
Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
↓
10 minutes walk from Kitasando Station Exit 1
Toei Oedo Line
↓
5 minutes walk from Exit A5 of National Stadium Station
Bus
Toei Bus Kuro 77 (Meguro Station – Sendagaya Station) Get off at Sendagaya Station
Toei Bus Ike 86 (Higashi Ikebukuro 4-chome – Shibuya Station East Exit) Get off at Kitasando
Toei Bus Haya 81 (Wasedai Main Gate – Shibuya Station East Exit) Get off at Sendagaya Station
Hachiko Bus (Shibuya-Yoyogi) Get off at National Noh Theater, Sendagaya Station
By own car
Address:
11 Naitocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014
TEL 03-3341-1461
Business hours:
6:30AM to 9:00PM (Delivery available 24 hours a day) Open all year round
Parking Fee:
【Standard-sized car】
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Entrant
Up to 120 minutes 600 yen
200 yen every 30 minutes thereafter
Maximum charge (until 24:00 on the day) 2400 yen
・When leaving the park, please present your admission ticket (including annual passport) and parking ticket at the Okido gate. (*1)
Entrants with a disability certificate
Parking is free if the driver himself/herself has a disability certificate, or if the driver is a caregiver and the passenger is a person with a disability certificate.
・When leaving the park, please present your disability certificate (including Mirairo ID) and parking ticket at the Okido gate. (*1)
(*1) If you enter the park during early morning opening hours (7:00-9:00), the discount will be processed when you leave the park after 9:00. (Please note that the discount will not be applied if you leave the park before 9am)
General users
300 yen every 20 minutes
Maximum charge (until 24:00 on the day) 2700 yen
【Large car】
60 minutes 2200 yen
Every 30 minutes thereafter 550 yen
8:00PM～8:00AM
5500 yen per time
For those coming by bicycle/motorcycle (bicycle parking lot)
You can park your bicycle next to the entrance gate at Shinjuku Gate, and inside the entrance gate at Okido Gate and Sendagaya Gate (Available only on opening days and hours)
