Rikugien Garden is another magnificent Japanese garden in Tokyo. It was built by Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, a retainer of the 5th Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi, and took 7 years to build at the turn of the 17th and the 18th centuries.
The garden is a short walk from Komagome Station. It has a pond in the center surrounded by trees and walking trails. Like many other gardens built by daimyo (local lords) of the Edo period, it represents a natural mountain scenery condensed in the premises.
The large weeping cherry tree near the entrance gate bears beautiful pink blossoms in spring. The picture is featured on the entrance ticket.
Walking along the trail, you will encounter a small waterfall as if you found it deep in the mountain.
It is recommended that you stop at the Fukiage tea house along the pond and appreciate the view, sipping matcha green tea and tasting traditional sweets.
Aside from the cherry blossom season, autumn is also a great time to visit the garden for the beautiful colored leaves. At the time of my visit early October, some leaves were just starting to turn red.
From the corner called Deshio-no-Minato, you can view the whole garden with no modern buildings in sight.
The garden is a perfect place for a short walk and a trip into a small isolated universe.