Shinjuku Gyoen has a long history, beginning with it being the residence of Lord Naito, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Later, the grounds were used for agricultural experimentation and finally, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden was completed in 1906 as an Imperial Garden.

In 1949, it was designated as a national garden and opened to the public. With the centennial anniversary of its opening in 2006, it has remained popular as an urban oasis.

Shinjuku Gyoen is 58.3 hectares in area and 3.5 square kilometers in circumference, so it may be difficult to choose where to go first.

Here are some of the selected spots that you should definitely visit at Shinjuku Gyoen.

When you come to Shinjuku Gyoen, stop by the Japanese traditional garden. This is a spacious area that is very Japanese in style. Japanese and many foreign tourists visit here, taking lots of photos and enjoying the garden.

This Japanese traditional garden perfectly conveys the image and culture of Japan. It was designed to go along with the flow of the pond.

There are many carp swimming in the pond of the Japanese traditional garden.

The Kyu-Goryo-Tei (Taiwan Pavilion) is one of only a few authentic Chinese-style structures in Japan. The roof style, color, and interior faithfully convey the Chinese style.

In the Kyu-Goryo-Tei (Taiwan Pavilion), there is a unique tranquility different from other places in the Japanese traditional garden.

You can view the pond from inside the Kyu-Goryo-Tei (Taiwan Pavilion). The reflection of the trees and sky on the pond is so pretty that one never tires of looking at them.

The formal garden is beautifully symmetrical. In the center, the flower beds contain about 500 roses of approx. 100 different varieties, and on the left and right, extending for about 200 meters, is a row of around 140 London planes. In this garden, you can enjoy European-style scenery.

It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to walk from the Japanese traditional garden to the formal garden. The transition from the Japanese traditional garden to the formal garden is made effortlessly and is one of the masterpieces of Shinjuku Gyoen.

Rose flowerbeds. We could see autumn roses when we made this report in the middle of November. The best time for viewing autumn roses is typically from mid-October to mid-November.

Among the many spots in Shinjuku Gyoen, the avenue of London planes is magnificent, evoking a romantic feeling like one in a movie scene. People of all ages come to enjoy and photograph the autumn leaves.

The landscape garden is characterized by open grass and giant trees. Between the towering tulip trees, the symbolic tree of Shinjuku Gyoen, and skyscrapers can be seen.

On the lawn you can see people lying on the grass and families enjoying picnics. Isn’t it a really pleasant place on a sunny day?

There is a greenhouse that was remodeled in 2012 near the Okido Gate.

You can see tropical plants from all over the world, Japanese plants from the Ogasawara Islands and Okinawa, and you can also see western orchids since Shinjuku Gyoen is the birthplace of full-fledged orchid cultivation in Japan.

The greenhouse is warm even in winter, so if you come to Shinjuku Gyoen in winter, this is a good place to get warm.

The Kyu-Gokyu-Sho (Old Imperial Rest House), a facility designated as an important cultural property, is near the greenhouse. Originally it was built as a place for the Imperial Family to rest when they came to view the plants in the greenhouse.

Later, after it was used as a rest house for the Imperial Family, it was turned into a clubhouse for golf and tennis, and until 1994 it functioned as a management office. It underwent renovation in 2000, which was completed in 2001. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property as a historic and culturally valuable building.

Please check the official website of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or on-site notices for the opening hours. Please be aware that photography is prohibited inside. (From August 1, 2023, the Kyu-Gokyu-Sho (Old Imperial Rest House) is closed. For information about its reopening schedule, please refer to the official website of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.)

In Shinjuku Gyoen, there are various spots and restaurants where you can take a break. If you get tired from exploring the spacious grounds, why not stop by and give them a try?

Restaurant Tsuburano is the closest to the Shinjuku Gate, about a 3-minute walk away. It is located within the landscape garden. They offer Japanese cuisine and sweets that incorporate matcha (powdered green tea).

Our recommended dish is the Oedo Eezara Bento (Limited Quantity), which features Kyoto cuisine served on small plates depicting famous Tokyo landmarks. It is available in two options: 5 plates for 3,000 yen or 6 plates for 3,800 yen (both prices include tax, reservation required). Additionally, the restaurant offers the Beef Sukiyaki Rice (1,580 yen including tax) and the popular Ohagi Cannelé (Ohagi being a traditional Japanese sweet made of glutinous rice and red bean paste; these are shaped like canelé pastries) (2 pieces for 500 yen or a set of 16 pieces in a box for 2,100 yen; both prices including tax).

Located within a 10-minute walk from each entrance gate, SASAYAIORI+Shinjuku Gyoen is a café operated by Sasaya Iori, a renowned traditional Kyoto confectionery shop. They offer a variety of carefully crafted Japanese confectioneries and sweets.

One of their specialties is the Fukurai Dorayaki Uji Matcha Special (950 yen including tax), which features a fluffy dorayaki pancake filled with chunky sweet bean paste and Uji matcha ice cream. You can find an array of exquisite Japanese sweets and desserts at this café.

They also offer visually appealing Japanese sweets, such as the Soft Serve Karafuru, decorated with tiny colorful rice balls (Vanilla: 600 yen, Uji Matcha: 700 yen; both prices including tax). These cute desserts are not only pleasing to the eye but also delicious.

National Parks Cafe Under the Tree, located within the Information Center adjacent to the Shinjuku Gate, is an upcycling café that actively incorporates unconventional ingredients into its menu to reduce food waste.

Their Spice Curry (1,200 yen including tax) features a blend of 12 spices and herbs combined with spice-infused oil. The dish includes side dishes of deep-fried vegetables and pickles made with unconventional vegetables.

Additionally, they offer drink options such as organic coffee (500 yen including tax) made with organic beans. So, when you want to take a break, be sure to try out their drink menu as well.

Shinjuku Gyoen is said to have served as the setting for an animated film, making it a popular pilgrimage site among fans.

The gazebo and wisteria arbor near the Kyu-Goryo-Tei (Taiwan Pavilion) are particularly popular and widely recognized as “sacred places” among fans. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Shinjuku Gyoen is full of attractions. Apart from these, there are many other spots in the garden, ensuring that you won't get bored even if you spend an entire day there.

If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of the city during your trip to Tokyo or if you simply want to unwind from the stresses of daily life, we highly recommend visiting this beautiful area. It will leave you with a refreshed and rejuvenated feeling.

Shinjuku Gyoen has three entrances that differ depending on where you enter: Shinjuku Gate, Okido Gate, and the Sendagaya Gate.

Of these, the Shinjuku Gate is a convenient entrance. It is located about a 10 to 15-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station.

Beside Shinjuku Station, other stations you can use to get to the Shinjuku Gate include:
1. Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line; Toei Shinjuku Line): 5-minute walk from Exit E5, C1, or C5.
2. Seibu-Shinjuku Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line): 15-minute walk from the main exit.
3. Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line): 5-minute walk from Exit 1.

Choose the station that's most convenient for you, and enjoy your visit to Shinjuku Gyoen!

There is a parking lot next to the Okido Gate, which makes it convenient for those going by car. There is a greenhouse near the entrance.

The Sendagaya Gate is the least used of the three entrances, however, if you enter here, the large lawn area known as the Kids Area is nearby.

Purchase web tickets in advance through the following website. Present the QR code on your smartphone or device for direct entry to Shinjuku Gyoen without queuing at the ticket counter. (Web tickets are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.)

This article was originally published in January 2020 and updated in August 2023. Please check the official website for the latest information.