Korakuen Area

GrassyBridge — Koraku-en garden never disappoints.

Stroll in a 17th century Japanese garden, cheer with the world’s craziest baseball fans, or ride a roller coaster that goes straight through a Tokyo skyscraper.

Let’s start at Koraku-en garden, an oasis right in the middle of Tokyo that’s so serene, it always makes me forget I’m in the middle of the world’s largest city. It’s my favorite garden in Tokyo, because it’s like a string of pearls – the path takes you through a series of smaller gardens, each a picturesque view in itself. Also, I’m a sucker for bridges and Korakuen has a lot of them!

OrangeBridge — I have tons of pictures of this orange lacquer bridge, because it’s so beautiful in every season.

This is called a moon bridge because bridge + reflection adds up to a full moon shape.

Especially good times to go to Koraku-en are:

KorakuenPlum — February is plum blossom season, and the ancient plum trees bloom at different times, so you’re sure to see one in full bloom.

PlumCross — Blooming plum trees are a sure sign it’ll snow again, at least once

Wisteria — The wisteria arbors bloom in May.

Oh, and iris. Did I mention Japanese iris? They bloom in early June.

Higanbana — In late September, drifts of bright-red native amaryllis (higanbana) appear.

KorakuenFall — Autumn leaf season in November is spectacular.

In December – March, If you’re lucky, it will snow while you’re in Tokyo. Get on a train to Korakuen as soon as the flakes begin to stick – you won’t be disappointed!

Hours: 9:00 – 17:00

Open: Every day except 12/29-1/3

Admission: ¥300

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If baseball is more your sport, go see the Yomiuri Giants play at the Tokyo Dome. The fans are almost as fun to watch as the game. — After the garden let’s go see the Yomiuri Giants play at the Tokyo Dome. The fans are almost as fun to watch as the game. Their schedule is here.

And we shouldn't resist getting on the roller coaster at Tokyo Dome City, for a speedy view of Tokyo. — And we shouldn’t resist getting on the roller coaster at Tokyo Dome City, for a speedy view of Tokyo.

TokyoDomeIlluminations — From November through February, Tokyo Dome puts on an amazing Illuminations display.

KORAKUEN AREA MAPS

Nearby destinations: Ikebukuro, Koshinzuka Market, Origami Center, Rikugi-en, Yasukuni Shrine, Yushima Shrine

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Jonelle Patrick writes mysteries set in Tokyo. The fourth one is just out in paperback…

When Tokyo Detective Kenji Nakamura’s phone rings with the news that his mother’s death wasn’t an accident, his world begins to unravel. New evidence links her to…read more

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