Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is a former Daimyo Garden, or imperial garden, of the early Edo period, along with the Koishikawa Kōrakuen Garden. Part of the charm of the garden is the large pond in the middle which people can walk around to appreciate the serene surroundings. The garden is a diamond in the rough as it is situated in a part of Tokyo where offices are dotted everywhere. The garden itself feels cemented in history and is a popular spot visited by company workers on their break, as well as tourists. There is a quiet stillness to the garden, a place where you can even experience feeling the changing seasons. Today, we take a stroll through the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden with Saki Shibata.
A Daimyo Garden with a history deep-rooted in early Edo
The garden is a 1-minute walk from the north exit of the JR Hamamatsuchō Station, and a 3-minute walk from the B2 Exit of Daimon Station via either the Toei Asakusa Line or Toei Ōedo Line. Hamamatsuchō Station is just 17-minutes from Shibuya Station on the inner loop of the Yamamote Line, so it’s easy to get to.
General Admission to the garden is just ￥150, and ￥70 for Over-65s. Entry is free for those below elementary school grade, people residing in the city, and middle school students enrolled in the area. The scenery you will witness as you enter the garden is unique to that of such a city—a beautiful contrast between the greenery and the pond water against a backdrop of towering buildings.
A garden where you can feel nature against your skin
You can experience the true essence of Japan by seeing pine trees up close and personal. The bright green laws in summertime are fresh; the faint scent of grass will leave you feeling tranquil. You get to see the flowers dotted around Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden change with the seasons, meaning you can enjoy hanami, or flower-viewing in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
It’s a place where you can spend a relaxing time and dedicate some graceful reading time. Although it’s in the middle of Tokyo, the garden is far away from all the ruckus, so you can get nice and comfortable.
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The scenery and its Japanese aesthetic
In the middle of the garden is the pond which is made of stone, and which was inspired by the West Lake located in Hangzhou, China. It is a place highly esteemed as the subject of poetry and paintings. Koi, or carp, swim in the pond elegantly, and you’ll be healed by their grace by just looking at them.
The majestic arrangement of stone around the pond is also worthy of note. They are arranged in a style known as ‘karetaki,’ which closely resembles the falling water of a waterfall found in a mountain valley. I highly recommend taking time to appreciate the craftmanship that has gone into the work as you walk.
Snap some scenic photographs surrounded by nature
No matter where you take a photo in this verdant garden, even if part of the shot gets cut out it is going to look beautiful!
Try everything—get closer or take a step back, snap a shot from above or down below. Find the best view for yourself. Make sure you don’t forget your camera when you visit!
The location of Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is also part of its attraction. You can easily walk there from the station. Haneda Airport is also easily accessible from there, and there’s Tokyo Tower close by, and even Odaiba. You can also take a pleasure cruise on a ferry from Takeshiba Terminal. Next time you have some time off, please be sure to visit Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden.
■information
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden
Address: 1 Chome Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Hamamatsuchō Station / 3-minute walk from Daimon Station via the Toei Asakusa Line or Toei Ōedo Line
Open: 9:00-17:00
Closed: New Year’s Holiday
Telephone: 03-3434-4029
Official site：https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/
After taking a walk around the garden and reading a book, today’s stroll has finally come to an end! How did you find it?
Be sure to use this article as reference during your Tokyo sightseeing!
Model： Saki Shibata @saki61204
Photo & Writer：Haruka Yamamoto
Translator：Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
Editor：Sayuri Mizuno(ASOBI SYSTEM)
Related article：【Tokyo Stroll】Strolling around in Harajuku which has a lot of unique spots such as popular graffiti and artistic miscellaneous stores.
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Official Site: http://ainou.me/
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In this edition of The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone, I visited Kayaba Coffee, a coffee shop in Yanaka, Tokyo, which is a perfect example of the old and traditional shitamachi neighbourhoods. Kayaba Coffee is just a 10-minute walk from both Nezu Station and Nippori Station.
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The chewy, sour bread is the perfect combination with the fluffy eggs.Lemon Squash | ¥600
The lemon squash has a cinnamon aftertaste. Everything on the menu is made with love and perfection; before I realised it, I was hooked on going there.Strawberry Shaved Ice | ¥800
This was my first shaved ice of the year! I went with the classic strawberry flavour. The syrup is super juicy and nearly collapsed the fluffy shaved ice the moment I put it on. It has a syrupy texture and the strawberry juice has a sweet and sour kick that's just simply delightful♡ And you can make it even sweeter by pouring over your desired amount of condensed milk. It was really tasty.Kayaba Coffee is the same as it was back in the day, and continues to be loved dearly. I think even people who visit it for the first time will feel a sense of nostalgia. If you have a place you can go to relax on bad days or when you're feeling down, it's sure to give you the strength to work hard again. This cafe is a wonderful place that's close to people's hearts. I want to visit there again already. Writer/Model: Ema TaniokuPhotographer: Haruka YamamotoDesign: Yuko Takayama (ASOBISYSTEM)Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga Information
Kabaya Coffee
Address: 6-1-29 Yanaka, Taito-ku, TokyoOpening Hours: [Tue-Fri] 8:00-18:00 (Last Orders 17:30) / [Weekends] 8:00-19:00 (Last Orders 18:30)
Closed: Mondays
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I devoured the hotcakes too. The pastry was so fluffy and tasty - I could have eaten a hundred of them. The second one I ate with honey.Hotcakes: ¥600
At the back of the cafe, they also have the "Candy Candy Museum." There's a personal collection of items from Candy H Milky, a female fashion enthusiastic who used to be a customer at Sepia. There's a photo spot for snapping a photo in the cafe too. It's a great time getting to go and look at the displays after eating. I recommend going to see the collection yourself with your own eyes. Entry to the museum is ¥300.There's a tearoom up on the second floor which has a nostalgic vibe to it. I felt warm and relaxed, like I'd been transported to my grandma's house. Humans can't travel back in time, but if we look after mementos properly, we can go back there in our minds and memories. Sepia, a place that continues to be cherished and loved, is everybody's treasure trove.
My oh my, I really want to go back there again.
Writer/Model：Ema TaniokuPhotographer：Haruka YamamotoDesign：Yuko Takayama（ASOBISYSTEM）Information
Sepia
Address: 7-4-11 Shibamata, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
Days Open: Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays
Business Hours: 12:00-17:00 (Last Orders 16:30)
For the latest information, visit Sepia’s official Twitter page @sepia_mama -
In this edition of The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone, I visited J-COOK in Gaiemmae, a place I visited one time while off work which ended up in me wanting to absolutely feature it in the series!
It's just a 5-minute stroll from Gaiemmae Station. The cafe enjoys lots of sunlight, which is brightened further by all the plants scattered through the shop. The cafes I have visited to date are often a little darker with only a little light seeping through the windows to create a certain atmosphere, and they are wonderful, but this was the first I have ever visited with so might light and so many plants. The air felt clear, adding to the level of comfort in the cafe, perhaps because there are so many plants adorning the interior. The cafe also has a space with a slightly more darker light and atmosphere on the left side. I haven't sat in that area yet, so I think I'll try it out on my next visit. When I come to J-COOK, my eyes always wander over to the marzipan creations (¥450). These ones here were actually all individually handmade by the owner's husband from the early morning. If you look really closely, you'll notice all the dog designs are different. When ordering, get to pick out which one you want, so try finding your perfect pup! I had mine together with an iced coffee (¥450). The sweet marzipan is a delicious combination with the bitterness of the coffee. I also got some potted cream (¥450). It's kind of like a Japanese custard pudding with just a moderate amount of sweetness. I had mine with a bit of brandy which had fragrant vanilla notes. They've had this brandy for 33 years since the store first opened. The cream was sensational, and the gentle notes linger afterwards. They have a lot of different homemade soups too which are perfect for the coming cold weather. I got the New Orleans-style gumbo soup. It's spicy with clam and okra in it. Relaxing jazz music plays in the cafe while you sit and enjoy your drink and meal. J-COOK is a wonderful little cafe run by a husband and wife. When I first came, the wife came and talked to me. She's super friendly, and although it was our first meeting, she made me feel really comfortable and welcome. She must be full of happiness, which in turn naturally gives people who visit the strength to be positive and work hard. I reckon their smiles have saved a lot of people. I can't wait to visit again! Writer/Model: Ema TaniokuPhotographer: Haruka YamamotoDesign: Yuko Abe (ASOBISYSTEM)Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga Information
J-COOK
Address: 3-36-26 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: [Tue-Sat] 8:00-22:00 (Last Orders) / [Sun] 11:00-18:00 (Last Orders 17:30)
Closed: Mondays
Official Twitter: @jcookjp