Kiyosumi Garden is a walking garden that consists of fountains, artificial hills, and dry landscapes.

This landscaping technique was used in the feudal lords’ gardens of the Edo period. During the Meiji period, the garden’s dry landscapes were somewhat modernized.

Brief History of Kiyosumi Garden

A portion of today’s garden area was originally the residence of a wealthy Edo merchant. Then, it became the villa of a feudal lord during the Kyoho era (1716-1736), who developed the garden quite a bit.

Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi, bought the property in 1878 as a garden for entertaining distinguished guests. The landscaping work continued after his death, leading to the current circuit-style garden that was popular during the Meiji period.

The Iwasaki family donated the garden to the city of Tokyo in 1924. Kiyosumi Garden opened to the public on July 24, 1932.

Flowering Seasons

The nearly 11 acre garden is home to Japanese black pine, kanhizakura plum blossoms, satozakura cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and azaleas.

Spring

Kanhizakura Plum Blossoms
Satozakura Cherry Blossoms
Azaleas
Dogwood
Japanese Cornelian Cornelianus
Peony
Butterbur

Summer

Japanese Iris
Hakuchoge
Hydrangea
Cowpea
Crape Myrtle
Hosta

Fall

Bush Clover
Sasanqua
Amaryllidaceae
Japanese Silverberry
Anemone

Winter

Camellia
Narcissus
Fukujusou

Kiyosumi Garden Landmarks

There is a large pond with a central island in the center of the garden.

Tsutsuji mountain is located in the southeast corner of the garden, and it characterized by beautiful azaleas and a line of stepping stones crossing a dry landscape. There are several famous stones that the Iwasaki family collected from all over the country.

The pond is also populated by turtles that are accustomed to humans, and you can feed them.

Taisho Memorial Museum

The Taisho Memorial Museum was originally a funeral hall for Emperor Taisho, and it was relocated and reconstructed from the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It is currently used as a meeting facility.