Koishikawa Botanical Garden — Attraction in Tokyo

Koishikawa Botanical Garden in Tokyo is an amazing place to visit, especially if you’re looking to experience Japan’s natural beauty in a peaceful setting.

It’s a bit away from central areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station, so I highly recommend taking the train instead of walking. Once you’re off the train, there’s still a short walk to get to the garden, but it’s manageable. If you’re coming from Gokokuji Temple, it’s actually close enough to walk, and doing so is a great way to explore the local area.

We entered through a side entrance, near the greenhouse, not the main entrance, and I noticed right away that they have bathrooms available—which is always helpful. Just a heads-up: there are no public trash cans in most places in Japan, including here. So if you’re carrying snacks or drinks, make sure to bring a small bag to keep your trash with you.

If you plan to visit, I strongly suggest going during peak seasons like cherry blossom season or summer. When we visited, it had rained the days before, so some of the paths were wet and muddy—not everywhere, but enough to make it slightly difficult to walk in some areas. Even so, the experience was unforgettable.

This garden had some of the most beautiful and massive trees I’ve ever seen in my life. Truly breathtaking. It’s a place where you can just slow down and take it all in. I was so amazed that I didn’t even take many photos—I just wanted to be present and enjoy the surroundings.

Admission is only 7 dollars, which makes it a very affordable experience. If the weather is nice, you can even do a picnic—there are lots of lovely spots to sit and relax.

In short, this is a place where you’ll find peace, beauty, and a deep connection to nature. Just make sure to go during a good season and avoid the rainy days if you can. I highly, highly...

Been here in various seasons and always something to see. Less crowded than other locations for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, can be a mosquito farm in midsummer. Located on the site of the Shogun's medicinal plant garden, it has an interesting history with some of the first specimens of certain plants to come to Japan. I actually like how it is kind of wild and non-touristy (with very few amenities) but have a few quibbles. Most things are labeled with scientific names so you can find on your phone, but more common names in other languages would be helpful. The geology, history, and architecture here are also very interesting but there's almost no explanation of it. The medicinal garden is tiny and I think more people would be interested in a larger and more detailed reconstruction of the Tokugawa-period garden. In all, if you're a plant nerd like me you'll be happy. Outside April and late November, not sure how much attraction it has for casual...

Visited Koishikawa Botanical Garden last spring, hoping to catch the sakura blooms, but unfortunately, we arrived a bit too late in the season. Despite that, the garden was a beautiful and peaceful retreat from the busy city.

The entrance fee was 500 yen, and we received a map at the entrance, which made it easy to navigate. The garden itself was quite large, perfect for a serene and refreshing walk. Even in late spring, the weather was pleasantly cool. There was also a small yet charming greenhouse in the middle of the garden, where the restrooms could be found.

We saw many locals enjoying picnics with their families, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. Overall, it was a lovely experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature and plants. A great spot to unwind and reconnect...