Shinjuku Gyoen, the representative modern westernstyle gardens in the Meiji era, was completed in 1906 as an Imperial Garden. The entire garden was designed by Henri Martinet, the French landscape gardener, based on a concept formulated by Hayato Fukuba (1856-1921), a Meiji and Taisho era agricultural scientist. This extensive garden is composed of three distinctive-styled gardens as described below, each of which harmonizes with the others.

Chrysanthemum Exhibition (Nov. 1st -15th) Chrysanthemums cultivated with the Imperial traditional techniques go on display.

Shinjuku Gyoen’s historical background can be traced back to the beginning of Edo era. The area used to be the residence of Naito Kiyonari who was assigned to be a guardian of west Tokyo as a hereditary vassal of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when the shogun got a stranglehold on Edo Castle (1590).
In the Meiji era, the government launched the “Naito Shinjuku Experimental Farm” by purchasing the part of Naito’s estate along with the adjacent area to promote modern agriculture (1872).
There, various research was conducted such as cultivating vegetables and fruits imported from western countries, sericulture and stockbreeding.
The farm was renamed the “Shinjuku Botanical Garden” after a while under the jurisdiction of Imperial Household Ministry. In 1906, this imperial garden was reorganized to current garden. The garden was opened to the public in 1949 as one of the National Gardens. Under the management of the Ministry of the Environment, it has been loved by a broad range of visitors.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden when it was opened to the public

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  Information Center

  Provides visitors with the latest information on Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Free admission. The art gallery and lecture room hold a number of events concerning nature and the environment. A cafe is connected to the Center.

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  The Greenhouse

  Various flowers can be appreciated throughout the year from tropical- and subtropical-zone plants to a variety of orchids hybridized at Shinjuku Gyoen . Endangered plants being conserved and cultivated at Shinjuku Gyoen are also displayed.

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  Restaurant Yurinoki (Eco-House)

  A facility built using solar panels and a number of environmentally-conscious materials. An exhibition hall and an open atmosphere restaurant are connected to the building. Lunchbox can be brought in.

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  Tea House (Rakuu-Tei)

  Located in the Japanese Traditional Garden, you can enjoy powdered green tea served with seasonal Japanese sweets sitting on the chair in the traditional old fashioned tea house. Next to the tea house, there are great yulan trees, and you can admire their snowy blossoms in spring.

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  Taiwan Pavilion (Kyu-Goryo-Tei)

  Built in 1928 to commemorate the wedding of Emperor Showa. Using the architectural style developed in southern Fujian Province in China, this building represents authentic Chinese architecture. Moreover, it has been designated as one of Tokyo Metropolitan Properties since 2004.

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  Old Imperial Rest House (Kyu-Gokyu-Sho)

  Built as a rest house for the imperial family in 1896, this building was used as a clubhouse during the latter half of Taisho era. The wooden architecture is designed using the Stick style, which was popular in the U.S. in the late 19th century. It has been designated as a national important cultural property since 2001.