Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden occupies 58.3 hectares in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, representing one of the largest and most varied gardens in the city. The site was formerly an imperial garden, converted to a public park after World War Two in 1949 and now administered by the Ministry of the Environment. The garden integrates three distinctly different design traditions within a single contiguous space: a Japanese traditional landscape garden with ponds, stone lanterns, and manicured pines; a French formal garden with geometric parterre plantings and symmetrical allées; and an English landscape garden with open meadows and sweeping views. A large greenhouse contains tropical plants including giant waterlilies. The garden's main claim to cultural fame is cherry blossoms: over 1,500 trees of 65 varieties bloom from early February through early May in sequence — making Shinjuku Gyoen one of the longest cherry blossom seasons in Tokyo. The early-blooming Kanzakura and Oyama-zakura varieties flower in February, while the late-blooming Ichiyo and Fukurokuju varieties extend the season into May. Alcohol is prohibited within the grounds, which distinguishes the garden from other Tokyo parks used for boisterous hanami parties and maintains a calmer atmosphere. Three entry gates access the garden; the Shinjuku Gate is the closest to the main Shinjuku station complex (about 10 minutes on foot from the south exit). A traditional Japanese teahouse within the garden grounds serves matcha and seasonal wagashi.