Rikugien is the ultimate daimyo garden that depicts the beauty of ``Kokin Wakashu.''

Rikugien Garden in Komagome was the site of the secondary residence of Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, who was a chamberlain to the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, and enjoyed great influence. The garden that remains today is based on the beautiful scenery centered around Wakaura in Kishu, as described in Ki no Tsurayuki's "Kokin Wakashu," and the daimyo garden, which Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu oversaw the landscaping of, is a must-see, brimming with attention to beauty

Head to Rikugien Garden, where you can enjoy the beauty of each season!

After paying the entrance fee at the entrance to Rikugien Garden, you will walk a short distance to the gate to the garden. Beyond this gate lies the daimyo garden, which was designed with great care by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu

Just ahead after passing through the gate is a magnificent weeping cherry tree. It is a specialty of Rikugien Garden and one of the most beautiful weeping cherry trees in Tokyo. It is approximately 17m wide and 13m tall. During the cherry blossom season from mid-March to early April, the "Weeping Cherry Trees and Daimyo Garden Illumination" event is also held, so be sure to check it out

The pond in front is the Great Spring. Nakanoshima Island is on the right, Horaijima Island is on the left, and Fukiagehama Beach is on the opposite shore. On the shore are Ishio no Minato, Tamamo no Iso, and Fukiagehama Beach

Although the garden has now been restored to its former beauty as a feudal lord's garden, it fell into disrepair after Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu's death. It was renovated by Iwasaki Yataro, founder of the Mitsubishi Group. In the early Meiji period, it was restored to its former beauty as a villa for the Iwasaki family, and in 1938, Iwasaki donated the entire land to what is now Tokyo, becoming the Rikugien Garden we know today.
The total area is approximately 87,800 square meters. After placing an island in the large pond at the front, and creating the Horai Stone Group and rock islands with huge stones, nature was left to create its beauty.

Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, who loved waka poetry, was particular about recreating the natural landscapes described in the poems using the power of nature, rather than creating them with human hands

There is also an event that highlights the beauty of this garden: the "Autumn Leaves and Daimyo Garden Illumination" that runs from mid-November to early December

The Great Spring isn't the only thing worth seeing. There is a variety of beauty in the area surrounding the Great Spring

This is the Takimi-chaya teahouse. There is a gazebo in the back center of the picture, and from there you can enjoy the sounds of the mountain stream and the waterfall. You can feel the water in your ears and feel cool during the hot summer months

This is a view of the water surface of the Great Spring from Chidoribashi Bridge, located between the Great Spring and Takimi-chaya. There are many carp on the surface of the water. From here, we head to Fukiage-chaya, located on the opposite bank of the Great Spring

Enjoy the beauty of the daimyo garden at Fukiage Chaya

Rikugien Garden is a feudal lord's garden centered around a large pond. Fukiage Teahouse is the place to enjoy the scenery to the fullest. Why not enjoy a set of matcha green tea and fresh sweets inspired by seasonal flowers while enjoying the view from the pond? Highly recommended

From the Fukiage Teahouse, you can enjoy the changing seasons of Rikugien Garden. By the way, when Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu created Rikugien Garden, he modeled it after a place called Fukiage in Kishu

Fukiage Chaya also sells souvenirs. The most popular item is the apricot yokan shown in the picture

In addition, limited edition tenugui hand towels featuring the family crest of Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, the founder of Rikugien Garden, are on sale. They come in pink and navy blue. There is also a shop and rest area near Izushiominato, which is located around the Great Spring from here

This is the view from Fukiage-chaya towards Takimi-chaya. Compared to the view from Takimi-chaya towards Fukiage-chaya, this view is filled with a rustic charm

The ultimate Edo garden, incorporating the city's buildings into the scenery!

Leaving Fukiage Teahouse and continuing the walk along the large spring, you will come across an artificial hill. This is Mt. Fujimi, which stands 35 meters above sea level, and the slope leading up to it is named Fujishiro Pass. Fujishiro Pass was modeled after a pass in Kishu, now part of Wakayama Prefecture

This is the view overlooking Rikugien Garden from the top of Mount Fujimi. While strolling through the garden, you feel as if you're in the Edo period, but standing here, you clearly realize that you're in the present. This famous Edo garden now uses the surrounding skyscrapers as a backdrop, contrasting modern times with Edo, creating a unique beauty

The size of the stone lantern is overwhelming when you see it in person. Although it is now off-limits, on the other side of the stone lantern is Tatsuru Bridge, which Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu crossed to reach the island in the great pond

This is the view from Idashiominato, walking around the Great Spring. There is a rest area and shop on the back side of the picture. The beauty of Rikugien Garden is that you can experience a variety of different views just by walking around the Great Spring

summary

What did you think? Rikugien Garden, a daimyo garden located in the heart of Tokyo near Komagome Station on the Yamanote Line, is a garden that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons. You can be sure to enjoy the beauty of each season. We recommend taking a stroll through it at least once

INFORMATION

Jun Nambara

Writer, screenwriter, animation producer. He wrote and directed the drama CD ``The Rose of Versailles,'' supervised by Riyoko Ikeda, and has written many books, including ``Onmyoji ``Abe Seimei'' (Futami Shobo). He is also attracting attention as a travel writer who works as a tour conductor on weekends. His hobby is visiting the sacred places of anime, dramas, and movies.