Hamarikyu Gardens, Japanese garden in Chuo, Japan
Hamarikyu Gardens is a Japanese garden in Chūō that spreads over roughly 25 hectares between high-rise buildings and Tokyo Bay. Broad paths circle several ponds while pine trees, plum trees and flower beds line the edges and small bridges cross quiet waterways.
The site began in 1654 as a hunting reserve for the Tokugawa family and served as a private retreat for shoguns for over two centuries. After the 1868 restoration the garden passed to the imperial family before the city opened it to the public in 1946.
The name comes from the Meiji imperial family, who used the space for rest after it passed from military hands. Today the park serves as a quiet retreat where office workers walk during lunch breaks and families gather on weekends near the large pond.
The entrance sits near subway stations and paths are flat and wide enough for wheelchairs or strollers. Mornings offer quieter ponds and afternoons draw more visitors along main routes while teahouses provide seating on request.
The large pond fills with saltwater from the bay and the water level shifts with the tides while fish move between garden and sea. This system is the only one of its kind preserved from the Edo period.
Location: Hamarikyū-Teien
Location: Chūō-ku
Inception: 1660s
Founders: Tokugawa Tsunashige
Official opening: April 1, 1946
Fee: Yes
Charge: 300 ¥
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-17:00
Website: https://tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/es/hama-rikyu
GPS coordinates: 35.66000,139.76200
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:42
Tokyo offers photographers a wide range of subjects, from centuries-old temples to modern skyscrapers and maintained gardens. The city combines traditional Japanese architecture with contemporary urban design, creating environments that shift throughout the day. Sites like Senso-ji Temple in Taito and Meiji Shrine in Shibuya present religious structures amid urban settings, while Tokyo Skytree in Sumida and Tokyo Tower in Minato provide elevated city views. The city's different districts showcase varied aspects of Japanese culture. Harajuku and Akihabara Electric Town in Chiyoda represent modern youth culture and technology, while Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku offers a glimpse of postwar dining alleys. Parks including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yoyogi Park, and Chidorigafuchi Park provide seasonal photo opportunities, particularly during cherry blossom season. Shibuya Crossing demonstrates urban movement, Nakameguro Canal offers waterway perspectives, and locations like Hamarikyu Gardens and Imperial Palace East Gardens show traditional Japanese landscaping. From the observation decks of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to the street scenes of Takeshita Street and Ginza District, Tokyo serves different photographic interests.
Nakagin Capsule Tower
641 m
Nittele Tower
527 m
Dentsu Building
488 m
Shiodome City Center
603 m
Shiodome Building
411 m
TOKYO PORTCITY TAKESHIBA
559 m
Panasonic Tokyo Shiodome Building
653 m
Shiodome Sumitomo Building
299 m
Shiodome Media Tower
439 m
Dentsū Shiki Theatre Umi
527 m
Acty Shiodome
350 m
Shiodome Shiba Rikyū Building
450 m
JR East Shiki Theatre Haru
371 m
JR East Shiki Theatre Aki
371 m
Jiyu Theatre
294 m
Tokyo Twin Parks Towers
217 m
Ni-Tele Really Big Clock
494 m
Waters Takeshiba
405 m
Asahi Shimbun Tokyo Head Office Building
627 m
Nippon Express Headquarters Building
220 m
Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art
648 m
汐留乗継所
679 m
Hamarikyu Intercity
434 m
Toppan Forms Building
409 m
Italy Park
260 m
Statue of Umashimadenomikoto
96 m
Ad Museum Tokyo
507 m
Tokyo Shiodome Building
341 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes