Ninomaru Garden — Attraction in Tokyo

I visited the Ninomaru Garden, part of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle) East Gardens in Tokyo, on 11 June 2023. The East Gardens were opened to the public in 1968 after seven years of construction. The castle had been the residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns from 1603 to 1867, and from the Meiji era, became a residence of the Imperial family. The design of the Ninomaru Garden was based on a plan drawn up when the ninth Shogun, Tokugawa Ieshige, was in office (1745-60). (There’d been a garden, with a palace and other buildings for Shogunate heirs in the Ninomaru from more than 100 years earlier, but they kept being destroyed by fire.)

It was the first time I’d visited in summer, and the highlight was the beautiful irises. Eighty-four varieties were donated from the Meiji Jingu Shrine in 1966. What a treat!

Sources: on-site...

The gardens are beautiful to visit, and provide a wonderful contrast to the surrounding city. The entrances provide a beautiful photo opportunity, definitely give yourself some time to stroll around and explore the entire area. It's free to access, though I don't think it's open every day so make sure you check ahead. The bold stone walls, nice gravel paths, and beautifully manicured gardens and lawns really make you feel like you've been transported out of...

It's a nice garden. Maybe not the best, but you can't beat the fact that it's free to enter. I went during the winter time and many of the plants and flowers were just starting to bloom, but did not actually finish. To say the least, it's a nice place to relax and take a stroll, but don't come during the winter time and expect a vibrant garden. There was also a small exhibit showcasing a building that was used during some wartime, which I found to be rather...