Marunouchi Trip Overview
Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visiting various styled gardens and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design.
Our nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Tokyo for a truly memorable experience!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 hours
Starts: Marunouchi, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Marunouchi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Marunouchi, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visiting various styled gardens and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design.
Our nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Tokyo for a truly memorable experience!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Imperial Palace, 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda 100-8111 Tokyo Prefecture
This tour will allow you to explore Tokyo more efficiently in one day. Meet at your hotel, then move to anywhere you want.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, 11 Naito-machi, Shinjuku 160-0014 Tokyo Prefecture
This tour will allow you to explore Tokyo more efficiently in one day. Meet at your hotel, then move to anywhere you want.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Meiji Jingu Shrine, 1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizono-cho, Shibuya 151-8857 Tokyo Prefecture
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Located just beside the JR Yamanote Line’s busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll.
The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo 112-0004 Tokyo Prefecture
Koishikawa Korakuen (小石川後楽園, Koishikawa Kōrakuen) is one of Tokyo’s oldest and best Japanese gardens. It was built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867) at the Tokyo residence of the Mito branch of the ruling Tokugawa family. Like its namesake in Okayama, the garden was named Korakuen after a poem encouraging a ruler to enjoy pleasure only after achieving happiness for his people. Koishikawa is the district in which the garden is located in.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Hama Rikyu Gardens, 1-1 Hamarikyu Teien, Chuo 104-0046 Tokyo Prefecture
Hama Rikyu (浜離宮, Hama Rikyū), is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Rikugien Garden, 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo 113-0021 Tokyo Prefecture
Rikugien (六義園) is often considered Tokyo’s most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means “six poems garden” and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems. The garden is a good example of an Edo Period strolling garden and features a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and forested areas, all connected by a network of trails.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya 151-0052 Tokyo Prefecture
Yoyogi Park (代々木公園, Yoyogi Kōen) is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities.
Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it makes for a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Furthermore, it is known for its ginko tree forest, which turns intensely golden in autumn.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya 151-0052 Tokyo Prefecture
A spacious Western style park with wide lawns, trees and ponds, popular among residents. Yoyogi Park is known for its autumn leaves, especially the golden leaves of the many ginko trees.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ueno Park, Uenokoen, Taito 110-0007 Tokyo Prefecture
About half a dozen museums, a zoo, a Toshogu Shrine and the Shinobazu Pond are just some of Ueno Park’s attractions. Ueno Park is also Tokyo’s most notorious cherry blossom party spot.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Koishikawa Botanical Garden, 3-7-1 Hakusan, Bunkyo 112-0001 Tokyo Prefecture
Spacious botanical garden maintained by the University of Tokyo, featuring many tree and plant species, as well as a small Japanese landscape garden. Particularly nice during the cherry blossom season.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo 112-0004 Tokyo Prefecture
Beautiful Japanese landscape garden, representing famous Japanese and Chinese sceneries in miniature. It dates from the early Edo Period and is enjoyable during all seasons.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Former Shiba Rikyu Gardens, 1-4-1 Kaigan, Minato 105-0022 Tokyo Prefecture
A green oasis surrounded by tall buildings, the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is a traditional landscape garden with a pond and man made hills. It used to be part of the residence of feudal lords and later an imperial villa.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kiyosumi Teien, 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto 135-0024 Tokyo Prefecture
Kiyosumi Teien is a pretty Japanese landscape garden with walking trails around a central pond. Parts of the trails lead over stones placed into the pond.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Nezu Museum, 6-5-1 Minamiaoyama, Minato 107-0062 Tokyo Prefecture
A true urban oasis, this stunning garden is a highlight of any trip to the Nezu museum. Located in the stylish hub of Omotesando, the museum was formerly the private residence to Nezu Kaichiro and now houses his collection of Asian and Japanese art. Winding walkways, stone lanterns, paving stones and a bamboo grove all provide different viewpoints to explore around the hilly garden, filled with stone sculptures and a number of preserved tea houses. Perhaps most interesting is the beautiful juxtaposition between the garden’s vivid greens and classical features, with the museum’s modern glass architecture. The café, serving lunch and cakes, is a great place to enjoy the garden from as well.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Happo-en Garden, 1-1-1, Shirokanedai, Minato 108-8631 Tokyo Prefecture
Happo-en is a vast park in Minato District. The name means, ‘The Garden of Eight Views’ for its appeal in all seasons and angles. The spacious grounds provide a stunning backdrop for photos, and in fact, the garden is a popular choice for wedding parties and photo shoots. A restaurant serving kaiseki cuisine overlooks the pond and a teahouse offers tea ceremony etiquette lessons among other things. Call ahead to make reservations for their walking tours hosted on weekdays, which include a lunch at the restaurant and a tea ceremony (7700 yen per person). Reservations are not required for Muan Teahouse but recommended for Enju, the kaiseki restaurant on the premises.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Tokyo National Museum Garden, 13-9 Tokyo National Museum, Uenokoen, Taito 110-0007 Tokyo Prefecture
For a few weeks during the hanami (cherry blossoms) in spring, and during the koyo (autumn leaves) in November, the garden of the Tokyo National Museum opens to the public.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Mejiro Garden, 3-20-18, Mejiro, Toshima 171-0031 Tokyo Prefecture
Mejiro Garden is a small and peaceful traditional Japanese garden located in Mejiro area, very near Ikebukuro Station. The garden is admission free, and it’s a perfect oasis to get away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. During the autumn leaves season, the garden hosts light-up events at night and illuminated autumn foliage can be enjoyed only this time of the year.
Duration: 30 minutes
