Garden · Komagome

Rikugien Garden 六義園

Edo Tokyo's most refined stroll garden, laid out in 1702 to evoke 88 scenes from classical waka poetry, famous for its weeping cherry in spring and maple illuminations in autumn.

About

Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, the chamberlain of shogun Tsunayoshi, spent seven years creating Rikugien ('garden of the six principles of poetry') around a large pond with islands, artificial hills and teahouses. Each of 88 spots recreates a scene from Japanese or Chinese poetry, marked by small stone posts. In late March, a massive shidare-zakura weeping cherry near the main gate cascades 15 m wide and is lit up at night; in late November, the maples around the Togetsukyo stone bridge and the Tsutsuji-no-chaya teahouse blaze red during the autumn illumination. The hilltop Fujishiro-toge gives a view over the whole garden.

Highlights

• Giant weeping cherry by the inner gate, lit up in late March
• Autumn maple illumination around the pond (late Nov–early Dec)
• Fujishiro-toge hill with a view across the whole garden
• Togetsukyo bridge made of two massive stone slabs
• Matcha and wagashi at the Fukiage-chaya teahouse

Tips

• The main Sometei Gate (near Komagome Station) only opens in peak seasons; otherwise enter at the Main Gate on Hongo-dori.
• Evening illuminations draw long lines, arrive at opening of the illuminated session or buy tickets ahead if offered.
• Komagome is also home to the Somei-yoshino cherry's origins, the station is lined with them.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Toyo Bunko MuseumMuseum · 280 m away
• Coin Lockers · Komagome StationLuggage Storage · 370 m away
• Coin Lockers · Sugamo StationLuggage Storage · 680 m away
• Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURAOnsen & Sento · 860 m away
• Somei CemeteryLocal Secret · 960 m away
• Kyu-Furukawa GardensGarden · 1.0 km away
• KamunabiRamen & Noodles · 1.3 km away
• Hakusan Shrine (Bunkyo)Shrine · 1.3 km away