About Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen is a city-managed Japanese garden, in the Korakuen area of Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward. The garden was constructed in the early Edo area, and has been state-registered as a special historical heritage site, and scenic spot since 1952. Out of all city-managed gardens, this and the Hamarikyu Gardens are the only ones to receive both designations. Koishikawa Korakuen garden is also said to be the oldest of all Japanese gardens in Tokyo.
The garden is composed around a central pond, and visitors are intended to enjoy the change in scenery as they walk the trail around it. This Japanese garden is also characterized by the names of its sceneries, many of which have taken influence from famous locations in China. Look at the way the garden expresses Japan’s many beautiful sceneries of lakes, mountains, rivers and rice fields!
This massive Japanese garden with an area of over 70,000m2, displays a different beauty at every turn of the season with a colorful diorama of plum trees, cherry blossoms, azalea and irises that surround the pond.

History of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The land on which Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens sits today first belonged to Tokugawa Yorifusa, the founder of the Mito branch (present day Ibaraki prefecture) of the ruling Tokugawa Clan. His son, Mitsukuni, completed the construction of the residence and garden in 1629. Mitsukuni conceptualized Confucian teachings when planning this garden, taking inspiration from important Chinese Confucian scholars and their sayings. In fact, the name of the garden, “Korakuen”, derives from a quote from a book by Fan Zhongyan, a scholar from the Song Dynasty of ancient China.

Weeping cherry trees of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The weeping cherry tree, or shidare-zakura in Japanese, can be found right as you enter the garden. This particular tree is over 60 years old, and boasts a charming pink scene in the spring.

Daisensui pond of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The pond in the center of the garden is the Daisensui. Inspired by Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, the pond plays the role of the main attraction in the gardens. The man-made island, named Horai-jima, and the rocks in the pond coordinate well with the surrounding atmosphere to create graceful scenery. In its earlier days, the pond was used for sailing as well.

Shorozan hill

To the north of the pond is Shorozan, a hill resembling Mount Lu (Lushan) in China. Ruscus leaf bamboos cover the round man-made hill. From the top of the hill is a breathtaking view of the entire garden.

Tsutenbashi Bridge and Oigawa in Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The capacious stream running towards the western side of the park is the Oi-gawa river. The Oi-gawa River is a real river in Kyoto prefecture, and the one here is a smaller replica of the original. The water in it used to be pulled straight from Kanda Aqueduct.

Engetsu-kyo bridge

The bridge arching over the Oi-gawa River is Engetsukyo. Confucian scholar Zhu Zhiyu, who Mitsunari greatly welcomed and endeared, planned the design of the bridge. The name of the bridge translates to “Round Moon”, since the bridge and its reflection in the river connects to form a full moon.

The lotus leaves of Koishikawa Korakuen's inner garden

The inner garden, or "naitei", sits at the southern end of the garden. While the garden was under Tokugawa possession, the naitei was a separate facility from the rest of the garden. This area was used as a private cram school during the Tokugawa days.

Rice paddy field

At the very eastern end of the garden is the rice paddy, or inada. The rice paddy area has an abundance of plum trees, irises and wisterias. Mitsukuni decided to place a rice paddy within his garden grounds to teach his wife and child the hardships of farming and peasant life.

The plum blossoms of Koishikawa Korakuen

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden has approximately 90 plum trees of 35 types, which reach their prime season around late February to early March. Tokugawa Mitsukuni who was responsible for the completion of this garden, is said to have loved plum trees so much that he took on the pseudonym "Bairi" (梅里 = land of plums) when he took part in creative activities such as calligraphy and painting.

Fall foliage at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

The Fall Foliage Festival will have you feeling fall with every single one of your senses. Autumn in Japan is already stunning to begin with, but it is exceptional at Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens with the traditional Japanese garden supporting the fall foliage scenery. From the end of November to the beginning of December the gardens will be adorned in autumn hues.

Koishikawa Korakuen in the winter / Yuki-tsuri (Winter)

To prevent snow from weighing the trees branches down, yuki-tsuri are placed over the trees. Yuki-tsuri ropes carefully situate on the trees, and resemble an empty Christmas tree. During the winter months, you can see the trees in Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens with the traditional Japanese technology, yuki-tsuri over them.

Weeping cherry trees of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The weeping cherry tree, or shidare-zakura in Japanese, can be found right as you enter the garden. This particular tree is over 60 years old, and boasts a charming pink scene in the spring.

Weeping cherry trees of Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

The weeping cherry tree, or shidare-zakura in Japanese, can be found right as you enter the garden. This particular tree is over 60 years old, and boasts a charming pink scene in the spring.

Weeping Redbud Flowers

Weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis)  produces tiny pink-hued blooms in the spring, and 'Pink Heartbreaker' is a dwarf cultivar of this favorite tree. "Bower & Branch introduced 'Pink Heartbreaker' about 15 years ago, and the original discovered plant is still only 7 feet tall and about 15 feet wide," says Eaton. "These trees are more hardy than regular redbuds [and] are a great focal point, patio tree, or window tree!"

Weeping White Pine

If you're looking for a conversation piece, this eye-catcher is the shrub for you. And while you can prune weeping white pine (Pinus strobus 'pendula') to keep it low, it will also grow tall enough to stand out all winter long, even in deep snow. "While the deer will eat a balsam fir, they almost never eat a white pine," says Tegland.

Weeping Redbud

Weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a native tree that does very well in eastern North America. "Come early spring, tiny lavender-purple, pea-shaped flowers are borne along the stems," says Adrienne Roethling, the garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. 'Ruby Falls' and 'Lavender Twist' are two popular cultivars. This tree does not like wet feet, especially during winter, so make sure you plant it in an area with good drainage.

Weeping Higan Cherry

Weeping higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’) is one of the earliest flowering cherries to bloom in spring. "They produce pale pink, rose-like flowers weeks before leaves emerge," says Roethling. "When the leaves do emerge, they are clear green and somewhat elongated and held on arching branches, offering a picturesque canopy for the summer months."

Weeping Peach Red Trees

Another beautiful spring bloomer that weeps is the weeping peach tree (Prunus persica ‘Pink Cascade’). "The flowers are double, rose-like blossoms that are bright pink and cover the branches like a blanket," says Roethling. "Shortly after the flowers have finished, the thin, narrow leaves emerge with a copper hue." Despite its name, this tree rarely produces peaches. "They often produce a thick skin, a seed, and nothing in between," says Roethling.

Weeping Willow Trees

Perhaps the most popular of the weeping varieties, weeping willow (Salix babylonica) has pendulous, arching branches that produce a canopy-like effect. This quick grower is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the last to lose leaves come fall, giving you multiple seasons of interest. Prune heavy branches to help with breakage.

Weeping Willow Trees

Though its name might sound sad, the beauty of this elegant tree is anything but. The weeping willow (Salix babylonica) features slender green and silver leaves that droop downward to create a cavern-like effect that's perfect for reading a good book, chatting with a friend, or enjoying a picnic under. It has a romantic, almost storybook appearance and thrives best at the water's edge.

Weeping Willow Tree

Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is beloved for its beautiful crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground, says Langelo. "This tree is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate trees. These appear in silvery green catkins," she says. Weeping willows aren't very cold-hardy and are only moderately drought-tolerant.