🗺️ Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (小石川後楽園)小石川後楽園

Situated in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, this is a strolling garden centered around a pond. The garden features four types of landscapes: sea, mountains, rivers, and rice fields, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of changing views as they walk. In addition, there are architectural elements like the Engetsu Bridge and the Seiraku-tei, which incorporate Chinese landscape and style, creating an elegant world that blends Japanese and Chinese aesthetics. Designated as a National Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty under the Cultural Properties Protection Law, the only gardens in the Kanto region with dual designation are Koishikawa Korakuen and Hama-Rikyu Onshi Teien.

Located in the heart of Tokyo, covering an area about 1.5 times that of Tokyo Dome, it is filled with a sense of nature and history. This was the first major daimyo garden of the Edo period and is said to have influenced garden designs across Japan. Throughout the year, you can see different beautiful landscapes featuring plum blossoms (梅花), cherry blossoms (櫻花), Japanese irises (花菖薄), red spider lilies (彼岸花), autumn leaves (紅葉), and the snow hanging method (雪吊). The garden includes many picturesque structures, such as the Tsuten Bridge (通天橋) and the Karimon Gate (唐門), making it a great spot for photography.