Tokyo best parks — 10+ best & most beautiful parks in tokyo

Tokyo is a modern city with countless commercial and entertainment centers, skyscrapers, and bustling streets. However, besides that, there are still lots of green areas that allow locals and tourists to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can visit parks to have a picnic, take photos, or just simply relax. So, let’s check out our top rated 10+ Tokyo best parks and top parks in Tokyo including best parks in Tokyo, famous parks in Tokyo, most beautiful parks in Tokyo as follows!

Join us in this post to explore some of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo today!

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (# best parks in tokyo)

Located just a ten-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku Gyoen is a 58.3-hectare garden with large lawns, meandering walking paths, lush greenery, large ponds, and a tranquil setting that offers a sense of calmness right in the heart of bustling Tokyo. It was originally the residence of the feudal lord Naito family, attached to the Takato domain in Shinano Province during the Edo Period (1603–1868). The park was almost completely destroyed during World War II but was eventually rebuilt and reopened in 1949 as a public park. Currently, it has become a national garden under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a remarkable attraction with three different types of gardens: The oldest is a traditional Japanese landscape garden, including large ponds dotted with islands and bridges to the South. Other gardens include a symmetrically arranged French garden and an English landscape garden with wide lawns surrounded by cherry trees. The rest of the park consists of woods, lawns, several restaurants, an information center, and an art gallery. There is also a beautiful greenhouse with many vibrant tropical and subtropical flowers. In spring, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to observe cherry blossoms.

Address: Shinjuku Gyoen, 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Yoyogi Park (# most beautiful parks in tokyo)

Yoyogi Park is a large Western-style park with wide lawns, ponds, and forests, located just a five-minute walk from Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine. Yoyogi Park was the site of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics: Yoyogi National Gymnasium was created for that event, and the main athletes’ village was also located in the park. Currently, this is one of the locals’ favorite parks, where you will see many rock fans, jugglers, comedians, and hobby groups gathering and performing.

Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees, it is also a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. In spring you can also see Karugamo flowers, azaleas, magnolias, etc. During the summer, horoscopes and mallow bloom across the garden. Furthermore, there is a forest of ginkgo trees in the park, and you can witness its leaves turning fiery red and yellow in autumn. In winter, you will find the snow pile up around the ancient trees, surrounded by daffodils and plums. In addition to admiring the four seasons, this place also hosts countless events all year round. Yoyogi Park is also a great place for jogging, picnics, and other outdoor activities.

Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (# tokyo best parks)

The eastern gardens are part of the Imperial Palace premises and are the only section open to the public. The palace is only about a 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo Station. With an area of 210,000 square meters, this place is as large as a park rather than a garden. There are Japanese and Western-style gardens in this location. Admission is free, you will have the opportunity to walk the grounds of the old Edo Castle and part of the current Imperial Palace. Take the chance to also get a close look at the huge stones used to build the castle walls.

In place of the complex’s old buildings at the foot of the hill, a beautiful Japanese-style garden was formed. Inside the Japanese-style Ninomaru Garden, a small orchard dedicated to fruits that are no longer eaten today consists of specific varieties of Japanese pears, citrus, and plums. With its large lawn, this is an ideal place to view spring cherry blossoms. You can also visit the Royal Collection Museum, which displays more than 9,500 works of art owned by the royal family here.

Address: Imperial Palace East Garden, 1-1, Tokyo

Ueno Park (# famous parks in tokyo)

Ueno Park was established in 1873 on a parcel of land that formerly belonged to Kan’ei-ji Temple. Ueno Park today contains five museums and two concert halls, along with the Ueno Zoo, Toshogu Shrine, and Lake Shinobazu. Together with Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, it is one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces. There are so many interesting spots in the park which makes it hard to see everything in the park in one day. At the Ueno Zoo, both the giant panda and the okapi–an unusual relative of the giraffe–have been successfully bred, attracting many visitors.

Additionally, Ueno Zoo is where you will find many of Japan’s famous protected species, such as the Japanese serow, Japanese stork, red-crowned crane, and Japanese giant salamander, to name a few. The five museums include The National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science Global Gallery, the Ueno Royal Museum, and the Shitamachi Museum where you can explore the art, culture, and natural history of Tokyo.

Some notable events taking place at the park are the spring celebration for beautiful cherry blossoms and the Hanami cherry blossom viewing festival. You will be amazed by about 880 cherry blossom trees, vast lotus beds, swamps, shrubs, and flocks of winter birds. Ueno Park is a great place to bring the whole family for relaxed moments every weekend.

Address: 5‐20 Uenokoen, Taito, Tokyo Prefecture

The Institute for Nature Study (# top parks in tokyo)

The Institute for Nature Study is perhaps one of Tokyo’s top hidden gems. This nature reserve (Shizen Kyoiku-en) is located in central Tokyo near Meguro station. The park is operated by the National Museum of Nature and Science to preserve the natural environment of Tokyo’s forests and wetlands, but it is under the ownership of the Ministry of Education. For a small entrance fee to contribute to the management operations, anyone can enjoy the natural beauty and discover rare flora and fauna here. The funds are also used for nature research and education purposes.

Address: 5-21-5, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Todoroki Valley

Todoroki Valley is just a 20-minute train ride from central Tokyo but is a world away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The bamboo trees, ancient temples, and the tranquil sounds of the river at this place wash away your worries. Stood in the middle of Setagaya City’s residential area, a two-minute walk from Tooru’s Todoroki Station, is a small park called Todoroki Valley.

At just over a kilometer long, this park is a charming greenway that leads through a narrow forest valley along a narrow river. It stretches from Todoroki Station below Kampachi Dori and goes towards Todoroki Children’s Park. At the other end of the valley, you’ll have a picturesque view of the Todoroki Fudo Shrine, several unique shrine structures, and countless cherry trees. You can walk the trail, see the waterfalls and Chigo Daishi Mieido Shrine–a small shrine with a statue of Kobo Daish–and relax in the quiet, lush gardens.

Address: 2-37-38 Todoroki, Setagaya, Tokyo Prefecture

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park (Mount Mitake)

Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park covers an area of more than 1,250 square kilometers and has eight peaks over 2,000 meters high. This national park stretches west from the city of Tokyo, encompassing Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo prefectures. There are many long walking trails and ancient temples that attract lots of adventurous tourists to come here annually. Mount Mitake is one of the famous landmarks that showcase the pristine nature of the land of the rising sun. It is located in the Okutama Region, the western part of Tokyo.

Mount Mitake has been worshiped as a sacred mountain since ancient times. On its summit stands a Shinto shrine called Musashi-Mitake Shrine, founded during the reign of Emperor Sujin. You can take the cable car to the top of the mountain to visit the temple more fast and easily. This national park is the perfect destination for a day trip for those who need to rest, relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of busy urban life.

Address: Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture

Kiyosumi Teien

Located near Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station in Fukagawa is Kiyosumi Teien, a striking park with many stones arranged around the grounds to form a beautiful landscape. The park was originally the residence of a wealthy merchant during the Edo Period. This land eventually changed ownership to that of a feudal lord and in 1932, it was donated to the city of Tokyo and opened to the public.

When strolling the grounds of the garden, make sure you are brave enough to venture across the stone paths set in the water. This is called “isowatari”, and from the stones, you can see fish and turtles under the surface of the pond as well as the beautiful reflection of the garden in the water.

Around the garden is a Ryotei-style tea house, a traditional Japanese restaurant that appears to float over the water from across the pond. Near the garden entrance is the Taisho Kinenkan, a memorial to the Taisho Emperor.

Address: 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto, Tokyo Prefecture

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden

Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, formerly Shiba Villa, is a paradise oasis considered the most beautifully designed garden in Tokyo. Located next to Hamamatsucho Station, Kyu Shiba Rikyu is a lovely landscaped garden with a pond and artificial hills that represent real-world oceans, lakes, and mountains.

There are also circular walking paths that allow visitors to admire the garden from many different angles. This land was once home to many feudal lords and government officials during the Edo Period. It was renovated into a park and opened to the public in 1924 as Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden.

During cherry blossom season, this is one of the quietest flower viewing spots in central Tokyo and is truly a great place for picnics.

Address: 1-4-1 Kaigan, Minato, Tokyo

Hama Rikyu

Located in Chuo, next to the Sumida River, Hama Rikyu is known as a green oasis in the heart of the bustling modern city of Tokyo. The attraction is a beautifully landscaped garden where you can see towering buildings from afar. A relaxing, romantic rendezvous away from the noisy streets and cities, Hama Rikyu is also a great spot to visit with the whole family. Like most parks in Tokyo, this land was the residence of a feudal lord during the Edo Period.

The park has a seawater pond that changes its level with the tides and a unique tea house on an island where you can rest and enjoy the view while sipping a lovely cup of tea. At the tea shop, in addition to resting, you can also learn more about Japanese culture. Besides being served fragrant green tea, you can also participate in a unique Japanese-style tea ceremony. Plus, the trees are beautiful all year round. Hama Rikyu Garden has many small gardens with peonies, plums, and of course cherry trees, the symbol of Japan.

In spring, when plum, cherry, peonies, and canola bloom, the garden becomes absolutely splendid, inviting numerous locals and tourists to view the blossoms. Many other plants grow naturally in separate plots of land. There are many mysterious houses scattered throughout Hama Rikyu Garden, such as a small wild hut with a leading path made of stone stairs, attracting tourists who love adventure and exploration.

Address: 1-1 Hamarikyuteien, Chuo, Tokyo

In a modern, bustling city full of concrete and reinforced steel, we often seek green natural areas to rest and relax. Especially for those who are tired of the busy and stressful urban lifestyle, spending a few hours visiting parks and gardens is an enjoyable experience and helps dispel fatigue. Tokyo’s parks with beautiful landscapes are available around the city and are ideal places to visit and spend some quality time with family and friends. These are also an indispensable destination for tourists when traveling to Tokyo.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

• Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Private Haneda International Airport Transfers (HND) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa
• Airport Limousine Bus Transfers from/to Narita and Haneda International Airport (Free Wifi Onboard)
• Tokyo Amazing Sightseeing Bus Day Tour
• Tokyo Highlights Private Day Tour
• Nikko Day Tour from Tokyo
• Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour: Lake Ashi & Ropeway Day Trip from Tokyo
• Nikko Cultural Day Tour from Tokyo
• Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48, or 72 Hours)
• Tokyo Skyliner and Tokyo Subway Ticket
• Shuttle Bus Transfers (One Way/Round Trip) from Shinjuku/Ikebukuro to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea
• Tokyo Disney Resort Park Ticket
• Klook Pass Greater Tokyo
• SHIBUYA SKY Ticket
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket
• Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
• TeamLab Planets Ticket
• TOKYO SKYTREE® Ticket
• Limousine Bus Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo
• Skyliner Narita Airport Express With Tokyo Subway Ticket
• JR Tokyo Wide Pass
• Sky Hop-on and Hop-off Bus Pass
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (BKK and DMK Airport Pick Up) for Japan (Unlimited Data)
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Are you looking for more Tokyo travel guide and top things to do in Tokyo: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Tokyo itinerary 3 days — What to do in Tokyo in 3 days?