Hamarikyu Gardens

Worth to have a try.

Amazing park, very big and peaceful. I’m sure it’s even better in the middle of spring or fall.

So there I was last week, ready to get my casual stroll on in what I assumed was just another lovely Tokyo park where people are free to roam and possibly annoy the local wildlife. You know, like Central Park but with more vending machines and less aggressive squirrels. I rolled up to Hamarikyu Gardens near Ginza feeling all zen and ready to embrace nature. But plot twist: there’s a gate. And at this gate? A person with expectations. Specifically, they expected me to pay 300 yen (though in my panicked state I could’ve sworn they said 700) and, more importantly, not to run inside. Not. To. Run. Listen, I’m not saying I was planning to do wind sprints through an Edo-period landscape garden, but being told I can’t run immediately made me want to run. It’s the principle of the thing. This is supposed to be nature! Freedom! Not some “please respect our 300-year-old pine trees and tidal ponds” situation. So naturally, I did the most mature thing possible: I turned around and literally ran away. Take THAT, garden rules. Who’s running now? (Me. I was running.) In my defense, I had completely misunderstood the vibe. Turns out Hamarikyu isn’t just some random public park—it’s a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Special Historic Site with a tidal pond (the only remaining one from the Edo period in Tokyo!), duck hunting grounds, and a teahouse that literally floats on water. Well, silly me, other people who actually paid and went inside talk about how it’s this incredible oasis surrounded by Shiodome skyscrapers, with yellow cosmos blooming in fall and free guided tours on weekends. But did I experience any of that tranquil beauty and historical significance? Nope! Because I was too busy exercising my right to flee from a three-dollar admission fee. Pros: Successfully avoided paying 300 yen Cons: Missed out on what everyone else says is a stunning garden; now feel like a cheap fool; the irony of running away from a “no running” zone is not lost on me Would I go back? Probably, but this time with actual money and a commitment to walking at a reasonable pace like a civilized human being.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The double cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Azaleas are also starting to bloom. There are many tourists from overseas. There is little shade, so it might be hot in midsummer. February 1, 2026 The plum blossoms have started to bloom and are beautiful. Due to the location, there are many tourists from overseas.