Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo is one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. Year round, it is a sublime open space to explore with gorgeous green gardens in the summer, an incredible tea-house plus landscaped ponds and special places.
From its autumnal foliage and red leaves to incredible cherry blossoms in Spring, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a top attraction in Tokyo for tourists and locals alike.
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With around 60 hectares of gardens and park land to explore and numerous features, allow yourself at least half a day to wander around at leisure.
From admission prices to food and drink places, here is our ultimate guide to Tokyo’s Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Japan in 2024:
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden entrance fee and price
Entrance and admission to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden costs 500 Yen, as of Summer 2024 – there are ticket gates and machines at several of the garden gates.
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Shinjuku Gyoen opening hours
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5:30pm (closed Monday) – hours may vary during public holidays and festivals.
During the cherry blossom season, the garden remains open on Mondays as well.
Plan My Japan tip – Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden will be very busy during Peak cherry blossom season in spring. Advance reservations are essential to enter the gardens and you will need to pick a time slot. For more information visit their official website >
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How to get to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
The closest stations to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden are:
- Sendagaya JR Station on the Chūō-Sōbu Line (five minute walk)
- Shinjukugyoenmae Station on the Marunouchi Line (five minute walk)
- Shinjuku Station – exit vis the New South Exit (10 minute walk)
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History of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Once the private property of Japan’s Naitō family during the Edo period, the original garden dates back to the 1770s before opening to the public in 1949 as the newly titled ‘Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden’.
In the 1870s following a significant period of restoration, the grounds became known as the Naito Shinjuku Experimental Station, a cultivation and growing center.
The original garden was badly damaged in 1945 by World War II bombing so much of what you see today has been growing for almost 80 years.
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What to see in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Over the 60 hectares, there is lots of open space to explore with numerous paved walkways and wooded areas to explore.
After exploring the gardens, treat yourself to an afternoon tea in Rakuu-Tei house or a coffee in one of Tokyo’s most beautiful Starbucks – more on these later.
Once you’ve paid your admission, you can explore the gardens by yourself or download an app for an audio tour of the garden >
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Cherry Blossom
We visited in the spring and saw gorgeous red and yellow ginko trees, spring flowers plus the sakura cherry blossom had just started to burst forth – definitely a great spot for hanami and cherry blossom spotters.
So popular are these cherry blossom spots, you can see an area on Google Maps Japan called Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Tree Area 桜園地. Find it on Google Maps here >
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A Giant Greenhouse and Conservatory
There is a huge greenhouse located in the gardens, built in the 1950s and home to hundreds of tropical species including lots of palms and cacti.
It has a huge domed roof and multi-level walkways with waterfalls and insects all buzzing around – it kind of feels like you are in the jungle!
We visited in winter and even though we were wearing coats, we had to remove some of our clothing layers as it was so hot and humid inside.
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Landscaped Gardens
There are several landscaped lakes and indoor botanical gardens and conservatories including three distinct garden styles – English and French European gardens plus traditional Japanese gardens.
Given that we were visitors to Tokyo, our personal favourite gardens here were the Japanese ones – they were centred around ponds with some incredible pagodas and intricate stone work.
The juxtaposition of the traditional and historic garden with the modern metropolis that is the Tokyo skyline behind was just superb – it kind of reminded us a little of Central Park in New York as the skyscrapers felt so close but kept away by this natural ‘green’ barrier.
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Ponds
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden can be very ‘fishy’ in parts – by that we mean there are lots of ponds that contain hundreds of colourful carp and catfish, gulping by the water’s surface.
You can usually walk around the edges of the ponds via paths and there are Japanese style traditional arched wooden bridges – a great photo spot
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Food and drink at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
As well the usual Japanese vending machines serving drinks near the park gates and admission turnstiles, there are several food and drinks places inside the Shinjuku Gyoen gates including:
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Rakuu-Tei tea-house 新宿御苑 茶室 楽羽亭
Other than possibly the Hamarikyu Garden tea-house in Ginza, we cannot think of a more beautiful and serene spot in Tokyo to take traditional Japanese tea.
From decadent daifuku to marvellous matcha creations, staff will serve you and pour tea in sumptuous surroundings. The Rakuu-Tei tea-house Onigiri Gozen (1,200 yen upwards) are also highly recommended.
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Shinjuku Gyoen Starbucks
If you are more of a coffee or Starbucks fan, one of the most beautiful Starbucks in Tokyo can be found here with gorgeous views looking out over the gardens and lakes.
Starbucks Coffee Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has a unique design in an unusual natural setting, a combination of wood and glass that helps it camouflage (ish) into the background.
Head to the upper level to get your caffeine fix with gorgeous garden vistas – best accompanied by a cake or cookie (probably).
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Is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden worth visiting?
Yes, it is absolutely worth visiting Shinjuku Gyoen and it is one of Tokyo’s top things to do.
An escape from the busy streets, just go here for a walk in natural surroundings or enjoy a traditional Japanese tea service at the Rakuu-Tei tea-house.
The Shinjuku Gyoen Admission Fee is only 500 Yen and worth every bit of it!
We were fortunate enough to visit the garden on a crisp Tokyo winter afternoon when the skies were clear blue with no clouds – magical!
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Other things to know
- Look out for the Kyu-Goryo-Tei (Taiwan Pavilion) – it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of the gardens
- The garden was the inspiration for the 2013 Japanese anime movie ‘‘The Garden of Words’
- There are open-air Noh (traditional theatre) performances in the gardens lit by torch light several times a year
Address
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160 – 0014, Japan
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