A Detailed Guide to the History and Overview of Shinjuku Gyoen

 

　Table of Contents

1. Overview of Shinjuku Gyoen
2. History of Shinjuku Gyoen
3. Highlights of Shinjuku Gyoen
   

 Introduction 

Shinjuku Gyoen is a vast national park located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Covering an area of approximately 58.3 hectares with a circumference of about 3.5 kilometers, it is beloved by many as an urban oasis in the heart of the city. The park is distinguished by its skillful combination of three different garden styles: a Japanese garden, a French formal garden, and an English landscape garden.

With its historic buildings and beautiful scenery that changes with each season, this garden is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. In this article, we will provide a detailed introduction to the overview, history, and highlights of Shinjuku Gyoen.

Overview of Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen is a national park located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, covering an area of approximately 58.3 hectares with a circumference of about 3.5 kilometers. This garden was built on the site where the Naito family, lords of the Shinano Takato domain, had their secondary residence during the Edo period. In the Meiji era, the Naito Shinjuku Experimental Station was established for the purpose of promoting agriculture, and later, under the management of the Imperial Household Ministry (now the Imperial Household Agency), it was used as the “Shinjuku Botanical Garden.” In 1906, it was officially opened as an Imperial Garden, and after the war in 1949, it was opened to the general public as a national park.

Shinjuku Gyoen is characterized by its skillful combination of three different garden styles: a Japanese garden, a French formal garden, and an English landscape garden. The Japanese garden, in particular, offers beautiful seasonal scenery including cherry blossoms in spring, autumn foliage, and snow-covered landscapes in winter. The plane tree-lined avenue of the French formal garden and the spacious lawns of the English landscape garden are also charming features.

Among the highlights are historic structures such as the “Great Greenhouse” and the “Former Imperial Rest House.” The Great Greenhouse boasts the largest scale in East Asia and was renovated and reopened in 2012 as an environmentally conscious facility dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of endangered species. The Former Imperial Rest House is a Western-style resting facility once used by the Imperial family, and is highly valued for its historical significance.

Every spring, a “Cherry Blossom Viewing Party” is held, and in autumn, the “Chrysanthemum Flower Exhibition” takes place. These events are popular occasions that attract many tourists, allowing visitors to enjoy them alongside the beautiful gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen. With approximately 10,000 trees thriving in the park, about 1,000 cherry trees reach their peak bloom in spring, drawing many visitors. Additionally, seasonal events such as the Chrysanthemum Flower Exhibition, which has ties to the Imperial family, can be enjoyed throughout the year.

History of Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen has changed its role with the passage of time and continues to exist today as an urban oasis beloved by many. Below, we describe the major eras that shaped Shinjuku Gyoen.

　・ Edo Period (1590 – 1868)

The history of Shinjuku Gyoen dates back to the Edo period. In 1590, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his presence in the Kanto region, he granted a vast estate to his loyal retainer, Naito Kiyonari. This land would become the origin of today’s Shinjuku Gyoen. The Naito family built their daimyo residence here and used this land throughout the Edo period. Among the achievements attributed to Naito Kiyonari is the legend of the swift horse: it is said that Ieyasu told Kiyonari, “I will grant you all the land you can ride around on horseback,” and Kiyonari galloped across a vast territory on his white horse.

　・Agricultural Experiment Station in the Meiji Era (1872 – 1906)

*Source: Official Shinjuku Gyoen Website

After the Meiji Restoration in 1872, the Naito Shinjuku Experimental Station was established for the purpose of promoting agriculture. This station played a particularly important role in the field of horticulture. In 1879, it was placed under the management of the Imperial Household Ministry and renamed the “Shinjuku Botanical Garden.” This was a period when its role as an agricultural experiment station was strengthened, and research in flower horticulture, sericulture, and forestry was advanced.

　・Birth of the Imperial Garden (1906 – 1945)

*Source: Official Shinjuku Gyoen Website

In 1906, the Shinjuku Botanical Garden was transformed into “Shinjuku Gyoen” as an Imperial Garden. The renovation plan involved the French landscape architect Henri Martinet, and featured a design that fused European-style gardens with a Japanese garden. This plan was advanced through the efforts of Fukuba Hayato, who was in charge of Shinjuku Gyoen. Fukuba earned high praise by exhibiting large chrysanthemum displays at the Paris World Exposition, leaving a tremendous legacy in the field of horticulture.

Shinjuku Gyoen served as a garden for Imperial ceremonies and the reception of foreign dignitaries, and its opening ceremony, which also celebrated Japan’s victory in the Russo-Japanese War, was held in the presence of Emperor Meiji.

　・ Postwar Reconstruction and Public Opening (1945 – Present)

In 1945, many of Shinjuku Gyoen’s facilities were destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raids, but after the war in 1949, it was opened to the general public as “Shinjuku Gyoen National Park.” In 1952, the first National War Memorial Ceremony was held there, and in 2012, the Great Greenhouse was renovated and reopened. Shinjuku Gyoen continues to be cherished by many as an urban oasis where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.

Highlights of Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen is widely known as an urban oasis, and its vast grounds are dotted with various gardens and historic buildings. Below, we introduce the major highlights of Shinjuku Gyoen in detail.

　■ Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden of Shinjuku Gyoen is designed as a strolling pond garden (chisen kaiyushiki). At its center is the “Tamamoike” pond, and visitors can enjoy scenery that changes with each season as they stroll around it. The garden is especially beautiful in autumn with its vibrant foliage, and visitors can experience the tranquility and elegance unique to Japanese gardens. Additionally, the “Former Taiwan Pavilion,” built in 1927 to commemorate the marriage of Emperor Showa, features Chinese-style architecture and adds an exotic touch to the garden landscape.

　■ Formal Garden (French Formal Garden)

The formal garden is located on the eastern side of Shinjuku Gyoen and features a beautifully symmetrical design. At the center of the garden is a rose flowerbed where approximately 100 varieties and about 500 rose bushes bloom magnificently. Surrounding it is a plane tree-lined avenue that becomes enveloped in vivid colors during autumn foliage season. This garden possesses a beauty that moves visitors and is an excellent spot for photography.

　■ Landscape Garden (English Landscape Garden)

The landscape garden, with its expansive lawns, is an ideal place for picnics and reading. The garden’s symbol tree, a tulip tree standing approximately 35 meters tall, towers over the area, watching over visitors. Within the garden stands the “Former Western-style Rest House,” designated as an Important Cultural Property, whose surroundings evoke a sense of history.

　■ Great Greenhouse

The Great Greenhouse of Shinjuku Gyoen is a dome-shaped greenhouse boasting the largest scale in East Asia. It was renovated and reopened in 2012, and currently operates as an environmentally conscious facility dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of endangered species. Plants from tropical to subtropical regions have been gathered here and can be enjoyed year-round. The greenhouse also features impressive collections of orchids and ferns.

　■ Former Western-style Rest House

The Former Western-style Rest House was built in 1896 (Meiji 29) as a resting place for the Emperor and members of the Imperial family. This building is a wooden Western-style structure based on the Stick Style architectural design. It was expanded to its current scale in 1924 (Taisho 13). Public access began on April 29, 2001 (Heisei 13), on “Greenery Day,” and in October of the same year, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property. As the only surviving Meiji-Taisho era Imperial garden rest facility within Shinjuku Gyoen, its beautiful design and historical value are highly regarded.

　■ Events and Seasonal Highlights

Shinjuku Gyoen hosts a variety of events throughout the year. During the special spring opening period (March 25 to April 24), the park bustles with many visitors who come for cherry blossom viewing, as it is a renowned cherry blossom spot. In particular, the garden is home to approximately 1,000 cherry trees of 65 varieties, including Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, and weeping cherry trees, which bloom one after another and captivate visitors.

The Chrysanthemum Flower Exhibition in November is a traditional event dating back to 1904, featuring displays modeled after the Imperial chrysanthemum gardens. Various types of chrysanthemums are exhibited in covered structures set within the strolling Japanese garden of Shinjuku Gyoen, where they compete in beauty. This event has become an iconic autumn tradition of Shinjuku Gyoen.

In summer, educational events such as the “Greenhouse Appreciation Classes” and “Greenhouse Backstage Tours” are held. During these events, Shinjuku Gyoen specialists provide detailed explanations about the greenhouse plants and horticultural techniques, allowing participants to deepen their knowledge of plants.

As an autumn event, the “Forest Noh by Firewood Light” is held in September. The Noh performance staged amid bonfire light provides a precious opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture.

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Summary

Shinjuku Gyoen is beloved by many as a tranquil oasis that helps visitors forget the bustle of the city. Its vast grounds skillfully combine three different garden styles — Japanese, French formal, and English landscape — providing visitors with beautiful seasonal scenery throughout the year. Additionally, historic buildings and a variety of events are held year-round, making it a place that evokes a deep sense of history and culture.

By experiencing the beauty and history of Shinjuku Gyoen, all visitors can find healing and inspiration. Please enjoy a special time at Shinjuku Gyoen while taking in the natural beauty of each season.