Kiyosumi Garden in Tokyo
Kiyosumi Garden is a walking garden that consists of fountains, artificial hills, and dry landscapes.
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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.
Ryotei
A sukiya-style building that was originally built in 1909 as a guest house. Today, it is also used as a meeting facility.
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How to Get to Kiyosumi Garden
It’s a 4-minute walk from Exit A3 of the Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station on the Toei Oedo Line and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.