Hamarikyu Gardens Tokyo | Travel guide & things to do in Chūō Japan

In this video, we’ll give you a travel guide to Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo, as well as some tips on things to do in Chūō, Japan.

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit in Chūō, be sure to check out Hamarikyu Gardens! This gardens is a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo, and it’s well worth your time.

00:30 What is Hamarikyu Gardens?
Hama Rikyu is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo.
Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery.
The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.

01:03 Where is and how to get to Hamarikyu Gardens?
Hamarikyu Gardens is a 10-15 minutes walking distance away from JR Shimbashi Station.
It is also 5-10 minute walking distance away from Shiodome Station on the Oedo Subway Line and the Yurikamome elevated train.
Hama Rikyu can also be accessed from Asakusa by Tokyo Water Bus.
The journey takes 35 minutes, and one way cost is around 1000 Japanese Yen including admission into the garden.

01:47 What is Hamarikyu Gardens famous for?
Located adjacent to Tokyo Bay and surrounded by the glitzy business towers of Shiodome and Tsukiji, Hama-rikyu Garden is an oasis lost in time amidst the fast-paced modern world of Tokyo.
Compared to some of Tokyo’s other gardens, Hama-rikyu is not known for its spring blossoms and autumn foliage.
Hamarikyu Gardens is home to the last remaining seawater pond in Tokyo.

02:20 What is the history of Hamarikyu Gardens?
It was originally built as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo Period (1603-1867), but later served as a strolling garden and as an imperial detached palace before eventually being opened to the public in its current form.
The Hama-rikyu Gardens were opened to the public in April 1946.

03:11 What is there in Hamarikyu Gardens?
At the entrance of the park, there is a pine tree is 3 centuries old.
It was planted in honour of the 6th Shogun when the garden was renovated.
Hamarikyu Gardens is home to the last remaining seawater pond in Tokyo.
Above the pond and leading to Nakajima Tea House is O-tsutai-bashi, a Hinoki wood bridge which connects the tea house to a small island in the middle of the pond.
Made purely from Hinoki Cypress wood at a length of 118 meters, O-tsuitai-bashi meaning “telling bridge” looks very traditional.
A Nakajima Tea House built around 1704, and it was frequented by Shoguns and imperial nobles to rest and relax.
There is duck hunting grounds called Koshindo and Shinsenza and duck grave which are unique highlights of the Gardens.
A flower field at the northern end of the garden grounds holds more than 1,000 flowers that bloom in various seasons, from peonies in spring, and cosmos in summer and autumn.
The best time to visit is spring when around 60 types of peonies are in full bloom in a variety of colours!
To the right of the flower fields and peony garden, and north of Koshindo Kamoba is a plum tree grove.
Hamarikyu Garden is pretty well known for plum blossom viewing in early spring before the cherry blossoms bloom.

07:27 What to buy in Hamarikyu Gardens?
The distance between Hamarikyu Gardens and Ginza is 1 km and take approximately 10-15 minutes by walking.
Ginza Six is a skyscraper home to a luxurious shopping mall, inaugurated in 2017 in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district.

08:10 What to eat in Hamarikyu Gardens?
At the other end of O-tsuitai-bashi, Nakajima no Ochaya, a traditional tea house awaits you.

08:47 Admission fee and opening hours of Hamarikyu Gardens?
Hamarikyu Gardens is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Last entry is by 4:30pm.
Admission Fee for adult is 300 Japanese Yen.

09:23 Best time to visit Hamarikyu Gardens?
Although not as famous for its fall foliage as some of the other gardens around Tokyo, it offers plenty of maple, ginkgo and other trees that show their beautiful autumn colors between late November and early December.
Late February brings plum blossoms, while the spring cherry blossom season from late March to early April is also nice but somewhat subdued compared to other hanami spots in the city.

10:09 Is Hamarikyu Gardens worth visiting?
Not as good as the best of the Japanese gardens, but if you are in the area it is certainly worth spending at least an hour, maybe more, and it’s a good introduction to the Japanese gardening style.

Alp Galip
http://www.youtube.com/alpgalipcy
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