Happo-en — Attraction in Tokyo

We were referred to the Happo-en by my concierge at the Sheraton Miyako Tokyo Hotel initially to attend a traditional tea ceremony. A small group and myself later attended a dinner at the Happo-en. We toured the grounds and dressed in traditional attire. Ms. Soko Yanai and her team, from the beginning offered the highest level of quality, professionalism, and made us feel very welcomed.

The true enchantment of this place goes well beyond it's traditional tea house, beautiful garden with cherry blossoms, priceless bonsai trees, great coffee, perfect ambiance, delicious cuisine, amazing art and the traditional experience they offer. It is the result of the hard working people that make this place a reality with an unsurpassed level of customer service that you can experience only here.

Enju and his team prepared an amazing multiple-course meal for my group, by far the best we had in Japan. The level of precision associated with the presentation, customer service, sake pairings, texture/taste, the ambiance, food selections, dessert choices were truly the embodiment of perfection.

Overall, the level of customer service left me speechless and is without parallel. Ms. Soko Yanai/her team exceed all conceivable expectations. Our time at the Happo-en was the pinnacle of our journey to Japan and an experience we will always treasure.

This venue seems to typically caterer to large companies and weddings. Based on my experience, anyone who could get married here would truly be blessed with a magical storybook wedding. With the greatest sincerity, a heartfelt thank you to Happo-en for the perfect way to spend our last...

Japanese “, French fusion café menus, overlooking the stunning view of koi pond and Japanese garden.. Happôen will make you forget you’re in the biggest city, and will send you back in time..

Visit here in between seeing my families and friends every time I visit back home. Even after 20+ years passing by, the garden looks exactly the same as it did back then. Previous owner has made the current owner to maintain the garden “as is” without any alterations being made, which was part of the purchase agreement. Hoping to see the garden in exact same condition in next 20 years..

Nakamura-san willingly gave us the tour of entire facility, including the very room of the reception we used 20 years ago, other rooms (being remodeled), and the garden, right on the spot without any prior arrangement or phone call.

Excellent guide throughout, with that “omotenashi” hospitality, which is rare these days and I have been missing for so long when I come home. She’s made us feel welcomed at all times, helping us bringing back many memories.

My kids were able to tour the entire facility, now wishing to return Happôen one day for their own weddings.

Highly recommend for any travelers looking for truly authentic Japanese garden in midst of mammoth Tokyo metro area. Anyone looking to have shinzen-style, Happôen can’t be beat. Enjoy that excellent café after the tour to discuss your...

In the early Edo period, it was a residence of the Edo Shogunate Hatamoto (旗本) Okubo Tadanobu (大久保忠教), provided directly by Shogunate only to the closest Hatamoto, Gokenin (御家人) and Daimyo (大名) as Warship House - Hairyouyashiki (拝領屋敷). After that, the land was purchased by Satsuma clan (薩摩藩) with beginning of ownership by the private sector, building the residences named Hanging House (Kakae Yashiki 抱屋敷), firstly the Satsuma clan residence, later house of Matsudaira Satsumori of Shimazu 島津氏（松平薩摩守), and in Meiji era to the hands of Shibusawa Kisaku (渋沢喜作).

In 1915 current buildings and garden were improved by Kuhara Fusanosuke (久原房之助), famous Japanese businessman and politician, founder of Hitachi Seisakusho, also known as his family members are founders of Nippon Suizan Kaisha and Nissan Group. And later in 1950 Hase Toshikatsu (長谷敏司) , who was handling restaurants and ryoutei business in Ginza and Tsukiji, has developed the property as a full-fledged Japanese garden, wedding ceremonies and tea ceremonies, traditional restaurant place as “Tokyo Oasis, Japanese tradition at the heart of Tokyo”, named "Happoen" 八芳園 (beautiful from...