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Kita

Asia

Japan

Nestled in the heart of Kita City, Tokyo, the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is a serene escape that beautifully marries traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western influences. This enchanting garden, established in 1919, is a testament to the artistry of landscape designer Ogawa Jihei VII, who crafted a tranquil haven that invites visitors to explore its lush pathways, vibrant flora, and tranquil ponds. The garden's centerpiece, a pond shaped like the Chinese character for 'mind,' embodies the essence of mindfulness, making it a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation.

While Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is primarily a visual feast, it also offers delightful refreshments to enhance your visit. The garden features a quaint tea house where you can savor traditional Japanese matcha tea paired with delicate sweets. The subtle bitterness of the matcha perfectly complements the sweetness of the seasonal wagashi, providing a sensory experience that echoes the garden's tranquil ambiance. Additionally, the nearby stalls offer soft serve ice cream and local snacks, perfect for enjoying as you stroll through the beautifully manicured grounds.

Conveniently located just a 10-15 minute walk from Komagome Station, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. After exploring the gardens, consider visiting the nearby Rikugien Gardens, another stunning example of Japanese landscape design. The two gardens offer a combined ticket for a discounted price, making it a perfect day out for nature lovers. Additionally, the area is rich in cultural heritage, with several museums and historical sites within easy reach.

It is renowned for its stunning blend of Japanese and Western garden styles, featuring a beautiful pond and a variety of seasonal flowers.

Yes, the entrance fee is ¥150 for adults, and children can enter for free.

The gardens are open from 9 AM to 5 PM, making it easy to plan your visit.

Whether you are seeking a peaceful retreat or a vibrant cultural experience, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens offers a unique glimpse into the beauty of Japanese landscape design. Come and immerse yourself in the tranquility of this hidden gem in Tokyo, and don’t forget to share your experience with friends and family!

Western-style manor house on a hilltop, featuring manicured grounds with roses & Japanese gardens.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUR3NWJINGhRRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJBy_FCJGNGGAR7ZWKW8_39Ew/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUR3NWJINGhRRRAB

I came here after visiting the rikugien. It was only about 18 minutes walk. It’s a beautiful garden. Smaller than rikugien but with charms. It had a pond and many stone lanterns around it. Also many stone bridges across pond making it very interesting to stroll around. And didn’t feel it’s actually not large at all.

There were some stone lanterns in different shapes and names.

There’s also an old mansion that serves as a museum otani bijutsu museum. I enjoyed this garden very much.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUNJdnRPRUxREAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJBy_FCJGNGGAR7ZWKW8_39Ew/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUNJdnRPRUxREAE

The best Japanese gardens in Japan are truly sublime. I had the great good fortune to visit one of those, the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, located about a 45 minute subway ride from Shibuya Station at the heart of the enormous city of Tokyo.

Sunday, March 23, was the most beautiful day of the year so far in 2025.  The temperature rose to around 25°C (that’s about 75°F), so it was literally short sleeve weather.

It was still just a little early, this year, for cherry blossom season. So I wasn’t expecting to find beautiful blossoms at Kyu-Furukawa today. But I was more interested in the overall design and feel for the garden, which enjoys a great reputation. It’s noted in Japanese tourist literature as one of the better ones to see. It certainly did not disappoint.

Kyu-Furukawa is unusual for a Japanese garden, in that there is also a Western style garden next to a large, western style residence. By any American standard, the house is palatial, built of stone, with 20 foot ceilings on the first floor, and very large rooms throughout. It’s a lovely home, designed by a noted British architect, who also incorporated a charming rose garden in the backyard.

The brochure for the property is very diplomatic in how it describes the two garden styles. The Western style garden of mostly rosebushes, directly behind the residence, and the Japanese Garden, which is approximately 15 times larger, and encompasses the rest of the estate. The brochure explains, “…the garden architect of the Japanese Garden was Ogawa Jihei VII, from Kyoto, who completed an attractive and superb garden, which rivals or surpasses its western style counterpart.“

In reality, this description is far too generous toward the rose garden. The large Japanese Garden far surpasses its much smaller counterpart in its beauty, scale, variety, and overall aesthetic appeal. While the architect for the home is widely admired as "father of Japanese modern architecture," the architect of the Japanese portion was essentially the Mozart of Japanese landscape design. His design for the Murin-an garden (built between 1894-98) in Kyoto is counted among the greatest masterpieces in Japanese landscape design.

The Kyu-Furukawa Garden, completed in 1919, is the clear beneficiary of a master at the height of his powers. The most significant element is the centerpiece of the garden.  A lovely pond that was created in the shape of the Chinese character 心 for “mind.” This inspires in me the spirit of “mindfulness,” which has always been the guiding purpose behind the idea of a Japanese garden.

Consider the genius of building a place of exquisite calm and beauty around your mind. This is a message that has been passed down to humanity from all the greatest philosophers. And here, in this garden, it is expressed in tangible, physical, visual form.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYX0l1YnFRRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJBy_FCJGNGGAR7ZWKW8_39Ew/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYX0l1YnFRRRAB

I came to see the roses but I enjoyed the Japanese Garden much more. The manor is under maintenance at the moment but the grounds are beautiful and restful so that didn’t matter at all. There is a look out point and many seats scattered around to sit and enjoy the day. Unique Japanese stone lanterns and beautiful pine and maple trees made the visit an enjoyable one. The park is not too big so you dan feel a sense of satisfaction after touring the park. Very affordable price too.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYLXNxLVRREAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJBy_FCJGNGGAR7ZWKW8_39Ew/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYLXNxLVRREAE

The park is not barrier-free (accessible for wheelchair users), for your reference. There are no ramps, only stairs, and the paths are not paved in the Japanese garden. Even for able-bodied adults, some parts can be tricky for walking/going down the stairs.

Entrance fee is ¥150 for adults, free for young children. At the entrance there is a stamp table and a few stalls with various goods like soft serve ice cream, postcards, calendars, etc.

There is another shop with various souvenirs and some refreshments.

The mansion, as others mentioned, is an extra fee, as is the tea house.

The areas for roses are quite small, and it was very busy at 11am in late October (on a weekend) when most of the roses were in bloom.

There are various places to sit and enjoy the scenery or a snack.

It is about a 10-15 minute walk from Komagome Station.

Recommend visiting very early, right when they open or on a weekday.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQzejZxeWRBEAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJBy_FCJGNGGAR7ZWKW8_39Ew/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQzejZxeWRBEAE

Gorgeous park with rose garden. I came in the early season so the roses were not in full bloom but it was still beautiful.

The park also offers a nice Japanese style garden and you can buy a COMBO ticket with the Rikugien Gardens for a discounted price

Explore Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: Scenic Japanese Park in Kita, Tokyo

Discover Kyu-Furukawa Gardens in Tokyo's Kita City—a spectacular blend of traditional Japanese and Western landscape design. Explore and unwind today!

Explore Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: Scenic Japanese Park in Kita, Tokyo

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