A park formerly used as the shogun’s second house

Hamarikyu Park is a public park located in the Central district of the city. The park was used as a Daimyo’s mansion in Edo, and as a guesthouse during Meiji era. Since opening its doors to the public in 1964, the park has become a popular place for people to come and enjoy the nature. The park is divided into two: the South Garden, formerly used by the Edogawa family, and the North Garden, newly created during and after Meiji era.

At the ponds that bring in water from Tokyo Bay, you can enjoy the scenery created by the flowing tides. The park also has a pond created for duck hunting, a flower garden, a peony garden and many cherry, pine and zelkova trees.

A rare tidal pond

Make sure to see the tidal pond, the only one in Tokyo, on your visit. The seawater pond will charm you with its changing hues at different times of the day. The park and pond have a grace that can’t be seen anywhere else.

Have a little rest at the tearoom “Nakashima no Ochaya”

At “Nakashima no Ochaya” inside the park, you can enjoy the tearoom’s specialty maccha with Joyomanjuu, a moist rice cake filled with yam paste, as well as other snacks. There are other stands in the park to buy dango dumplings and okaki, baked and fried thin mochi.
With over 100 tall cherry trees around the pond, the park is perfect for a picnic in spring.

“The 300 Year Old Pine Tree” and “Peony Garden” are a must-see

There are many old trees in the park. The majestic “300 Year Old Pine Tree”, said to have been planted by a shogun during Edo period, is one of them.
The peony garden of 800 flowers of 60 different types bloom beautifully in spring. The cosmoses also attract many visitors in autumn.

Gulls above the pond

The seawater pond is not to miss. You might even encounter friendly gulls!

writer：Nozomi

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