Hama-rikyū Gardens

Hama-rikyū Gardens
Hama-rikyū Onshi Teien (浜離宮恩賜庭園)
Aerial view of Hama-rikyū Gardens seen from Shiodome
Type	Urban park
Location	Chūō, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates	35°39′36″N 139°45′43″E
Area	250,215.72 square metres (61.82965 acres)
Created	April 1, 1946

Hama-rikyū Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園, Hama-rikyū Onshi Teien) is a public park in Chūō ward, Tokyo, Japan.

History

in 1863, photo by Felice Beato

Located at the mouth of the Sumida River, Tokugawa Tsunashige, the shōgun's younger brother, received permission to reclaim land from Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay), on which he built a villa and garden in 1654. The property was inherited by his son, Ienobu, who later became shōgun.

It was opened to the public on April 1, 1946.

A landscaped garden of 250,216 m² includes Shio-iri Pond, and the park is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay.

Architecture

Nakajima-no-ochaya at the seawater pond

At the centre of Shio-iri Pond is a teahouse, reached by three bridges, where visitors can enjoy refreshments, such as matcha and Japanese sweets, in the tea ceremony style. There are a number of other tea houses (chashitsu) such as the Matsu-no-ochaya, Tsubame-no-ochaya, Taka-no-Ochaya and Nakajima-no-ochaya. A bronze statue of Umashimadenomikoto is also located there.

The park includes a peony garden, a plum tree grove and fields with flowers for every season.

Japanese falconry and aikido are demonstrated at New Year.

Access

Visitors can access the park via either of the two northern gates or via the Tokyo Cruise Ship (water bus) on a 35-minute ride from Asakusa.

Main Exit

• Tsukijishijō Station (Toei Ōedo Line) - 7 minutes walk
• Shiodome Station (Toei Ōedo Line) - 7 minutes walk
• Shiodome Station (Yurikamome Line) - 7 minutes walk
• Shimbashi Station (Toei Asakusa Line) - 12 minutes walk

Middle Exit

• Shiodome Station (Toei Ōedo Line) - 5 minutes walk
• Hamamatsuchō Station (Yamanote Line) - 15 minutes walk

Water Bus

• Tokyo Mizube Line arrives at and departs from inside the park.
• Tokyo Cruise Ship ( Water Bus) arrives at and departs from inside the park.

The water bus ticket includes admission to the park.

Gallery

• 
  The pond
• 
  Pine trees near the water
• 
  Autumn leaves
• 
  Matsu-no-ochaya in winter
• 
  Tsubame-no-ochaya
• 
  Nakajima-no-ochaya

See also

• List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments
• Shinjuku Gyo-en

External links

• Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
• Hama-rikyu Gardens Gallery
• "Tokyo Cruise Ship ( Water Bus)" - Hamarikyu official website