Do you know about the Edo Period Theme Park, Koishikawa Korakuen? It’s Ranked Among the Top 5 Japanese Gardens in the Country
The Prestige of Koishikawa Korakuen: A Top 5 Japanese Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen is designated as both a “Special Historic Site” and a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” under Japan’s Cultural Property Protection Law.
A “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” is a highly valuable landscape designated by the government, akin to a National Treasure. There are only 36 such sites across the country. A “Special Historic Site” is a location of particularly high academic value, symbolizing Japan’s cultural heritage. There are 63 of these sites nationwide. Only 9 locations in Japan have been designated as both a “Special Historic Site” and a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty,” and only 5 of them are Japanese gardens. Therefore, it’s fair to say that Koishikawa Korakuen is recognized as one of Japan’s top 5 gardens.
Here are the 9 locations designated as both a “Special Historic Site” and a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty”:
Koishikawa Korakuen (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
Hama-Rikyu Gardens (Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Motsuji Temple Garden (Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture)
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Garden (Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture)
Kinkaku-ji (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Ginkaku-ji (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Sanbo-in Garden and Main Hall at Daigo-ji Temple (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Garden of the Left Capital of Heijo-kyo (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
An Edo-Period Theme Park: Explore Japan and China’s Famous Sites Within Koishikawa Korakuen
Koishikawa Korakuen: Closely Tied to the Third Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu
Korakuen: A Name Inspired by Confucian Wisdom, Relevant Even Today
A Hidden Gem: Koishikawa Korakuen, Just Minutes from Kagurazaka
Unfortunately, like Kagurazaka, Koishikawa Korakuen is not very well-known, and there are relatively few foreign tourists. However, this means you can leisurely explore the garden and fully enjoy one of Japan’s finest landscapes. Conveniently located near Tokyo Dome and Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tokyo headquarters, it is a spot I strongly recommend to foreign visitors.
Koishikawa Korakuen
1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours:
Admission:
Access:
West Gate:
East Gate:
5-minute walk from the West Exit of Suidobashi Station on the JR Sobu Line (JB17)
6-minute walk from Exit 2 of Korakuen Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Namboku Lines (M22 / N11)