The gardens of Tokyo - Hama-rikyu gardens

Hama-rikyu gardens

This is another example of gardens from the Edo period and this garden depends on the intake of water to fill the ponds from the Edo Bay. First established in 1654 and latter became the Detached Palace for the Imperial Family. The great earthquake and World War II bombings damaged the gardens considerably and in 1945 the gardens were restored and open to the public from 1946. When the tide is in the teahouse appears to float on water. This garden also has a large Peony collection numbering over 60 different types and nearly 800 plants.

Black pine trees

Seawater pond

Bridge over the pond

Nakajima-no-ochaya teahouse

Teahouse

Teahouse

Inabu Shrine

The gardens of Tokyo - Rikugien Garden

Tokyo has many fantastic gardens and many people flock to the gardens in Spring to see the famous Cherry blossom festival or in mid Autumn to see the the rich Autumn colours. During our visit the gardens were very quiet but still enjoyable and a great place to get some relief from the heat. The noise of cicadas was intense.

The Rikugien Garden

The Rikugien garden is a mountain and pond style garden created in 1702 and is an example of the Edo period of gardens in which the gardens were created for enjoyment. The current layout and plantings date back to 1938 when the gardens were given back to the city of Tokyo. The garden contain many Karume azaleas which would be spectacular in Spring.

Clipped Azaleas around lantern

One of the ponds

Sleeping Dragon Rock

Tsutsuji-no-chaya teahouse

Stone Lantern

Togetsukyo stone bridge 

Large Weeping Cherry

Looking down from the mountain