One of Tokyo's most idyllic spots, Hama-rikyū Onshi-teien (浜離宮恩賜庭園) is a refuge from the bustle of the city, where an afternoon involves weaving your way around pine trees and manicured lawns, or enjoying a cup of tea while feeling the sea breeze that drifts from nearby Tokyo Bay.
Scenic Gardens
Hama-rikyū Onshi-teien began as a private family garden first established by the Tokugawa shogunate, and gradually improved over generations before it was finally completed by the 11th shogun, Tokugawa Ienari. After the fall of the shogunate, the garden came under possession of the Imperial Family where it remained until 1945, when it was donated to the City of Tokyo and reopened as a public park the following year.
Buildings from nearby Shiodome rise above the park's tree line, the juxtaposition of which makes for beautiful photographs of an urban oasis. Within the park are several reflective ponds, the largest being Shiori-no-ike, a tidal pond that draws sea water in from Tokyo Bay.
Teahouses
It could take over an hour of slow strolling along the paths to see every inch of the garden, but you'll come across several teahouses along the way to rest your feet. Stop by Nakajima-no-ochaya for a cup of matcha and wagashi (Japanese sweets). This teahouse sits in the middle of Shiori-no-ike, and has a deck that provides an unobstructed view of the gardens from the water.
