Rikugien, a waka poetry garden in Tokyo, Japan

One of the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo, the Rikugi-en offers a quiet resting and strolling place in the hectic Tokyo life. It is situated in the quiet of Komagome and Sugamo (Bunkyo ward), that are also worth a visit.

The garden is a strolling garden of the Edo period (1603-1868). Samurai Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu built the garden with the permission of the shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi between 1695 and 1702. Originally, 88 famous views from Japanese and Chinese landscape have been imitated in miniature form in this garden, however, only 18 remain today. The garden's name translates literally Six Rules Garden and refers to the six basic rules of Waka poetry. translates as “Japanese Poem”, and has its roots in the Heian period (794-1185).

Rikugi-en is one of Tokyo's finest gardens and offers the visitor an ever changing landscape. Although its square footage is considerable, the garden feels closed and intimate. We recommend enjoying the view over the garden while having a bowl of green matcha tea in the tea house.

Contents:

Introduction

History

Buildings

Bridges

Highlights

Impressions

Around Rikugien

17 pages full of information about the Rikugien Garden

39 pictures of the gardens

19MB