Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku is one of my favourite places in Tokyo, even though there is an entrance fee. Here you'll find a mix of different types of gardens and a variety of exotic plants planted in a greenhouse.

In spring, you'll get a great view of rhododendrons in bloom, and in autumn, chrysanthemums and colourful trees.

Read more on our website:

• 👉 O ur tips on where to stay in Tokyo
• 🧐 10 things that surprised me in Japan

Is it worth a visit despite paying admission?

I was blown away by the Gyoen Shinjuku Gardens. And I would recommend a visit to you too.

✅ Visit the gardens if:

• you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city in a beautiful park
• you like the combination of different types of garden
• you travel to Tokyo in spring (sakura) or autumn (colourful foliage)

Hotels in Shinjuku - view here

❌ Skip a visit if:

• you don't want to pay the entrance fee
  • 👉 Tip: visit the East Garden at the Imperial Palace for free
• you only have 1-2 days in Tokyo and are travelling outside of spring or autumn

What to expect in the gardens

Shinjuku Gyoen is a sprawling garden covering 58 hectares!

It is divided into many sections, with extensive and always perfectly manicured lawns in between. Among the most popular are:

• Japanese garden with a large number of water areas
• a French garden with a plane tree avenue and roses
• the English garden

You will also find a beautiful and stylish Starbucks coffee shop.

There are free toilets in many parts of the gardens.

Admission - how do I pay and when are the gardens closed?

The gardens are closed every Monday.

On other days they open at 9am all year round. Last entry is at 4pm during the winter, 6pm in August and July and 5pm in the spring/summer. Official website: env.go.jp.

The price of admission is 500 jpy.

• ✅ payment by credit card
• ✅ payment by Japanese transport card (e.g. Suica, Pasmo, etc.)
• ✅ payment in cash

How to include the gardens in your itinerary

Personally, I was at the gardens on my very last day at 9:00am before taking the train from nearby Shinjuku Station towards Mount Fuji.

However, I considered including the gardens in my itinerary on a different day, which was supposed to look like this:

• Morning/afternoon walk around the grounds of the Imperial Palace of Kōkyō
  • 👉 Hotels around Tokyo Station
• After noon, transfer to the red subway line (Marunouchi Line)
• Afternoon visit to the gardens
• After that, transfer to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a view
• Evening in the bustling Shinjukudistrict
  • Hotels in Shinjuku

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