If you don’t like the crowds, this garden is perfect. Entrance fee is 300 yen and you can enjoy a nice picnic under their huge shady trees. There is a 300-year-old pine tree here and a lot of flower bearing trees. We spent a few hours here before riding the water bus to Asakusa. The water bus station is inside the garden, just at the mouth of the river. For 740 yen, you get to ride through the Sumida River towards Odaiba or Asakusa. It was such a relaxing and enjoyable ride. You get to see the Tokyo Skytree, the Asahi Breweries building, and beautiful residential areas. You will also see the Rainbow Bridge from the water bus. One of my Tokyo trip highlights is this garden and the water bus ride :)

We took the boat from Asakusa at 9.35, and were in the park by 10.15am. Quite a few tour groups disembarked with us, but as we were only three we could speed on ahead and miss the crawling crowd.

It’s a truly beautiful park. We had been to ueno the day before, and the difference was immense. The cherry blossom were in full bloom here (unlike Ueno). The walk is easy and beautiful.

We tried the tea shop. 510¥ for the cheaper menu (1 matcha and one sweet). They were fine with us ordering two and sharing (I didn’t want to miss out but hate green tea). Seating is inside (table or floor) and outside (sharing tables).

If you’re going for cherry blossom it’s well worth the money to get in (300¥). Worth going early as the tour crowds (often combining water bus and fish market) started pouring in as we were leaving.

A real place to relax away from a very busy city.

Once you step into the gardens, you are reminded why cities need green lungs and places of solitude.

We were lucky to visit at cherry blossom time but there is plenty of other things to see.

Well worth it.

Delightful natrual setting surrounded by the city. Exquisite garden with authentic Japanese style. We'll worth a visit!