RIKUGIEN

The view from the entrance

A Japanese Garden built in the 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu for the Shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. The name, Rikugien, literally means six poems and it a tribute to the Chinese system of dividing poetry into 6 categories. The system that influenced the development of the Japanese waka poetry. Much of the design and landscaping is derived from famous waka poetry scenes reproduce in miniature settings through out the garden.

There is nothing special about this garden, just like any other typical Japanese garden. What is more upsetting is the fact that its design in a manner that one should come in take a walk and head straight out. If its your first time in a Japanese Garden you will find it breath taking but as I have mention before there is nothing special about this garden. It is quite small compared to Shinjuku gyoen and so close to the buildings. If you visited Kiyosumi garden before you would feel as thought you've been here before.

There is a huge pond in the middle of the garden and man made hills, a bit of a forested area and tea houses. It can be covered in 30 minutes depending on the crowd and if you want to cover all paths you will have to retrace your steps in more than one occasion. There are just too many prohibited area which I find annoying and be aware that tripod is not allowed (Reason unknown).

In autumn for the leaf viewing because of the crowd they open the gate that is closest to the station so don't make the mistake of going all the way to the main entrance unless you are travelling by car. The entrance fee is 300yen and if you cant read Japanese they do provide an English map.