Joanna James
While the avant-garde imperial dreamscape of Tokyo is iconic for its futuristic trends, heritage enclaves, and eccentric sense of fun, its pockets of verdure are idyllic for whimsical escapism. Here are some nature-kissed sanctuaries that are effortless to find.
Whether it’s Cosplay go-karting through the neon-lit streets swallowed by kaleidoscopic skyscrapers, exploring quirky museums featuring anything from antique kites and samurai weapons to parasitic specimens and vintage luggage from all around the world, or trying out dishes the likes of raw sea urchin on rice and sea cucumbers dipped in ponzu sauce, Tokyo is an epicentre of all things weird yet wonderful. If you need a breather from the city’s bizarre brand of exhilaration and want to ground yourself in serene green spaces, head to Yoyogi Kōen, celebrated for its expansive lawns, forests, trails, and ponds, extra gorgeous when its ginkgo trees are decked in their autumn foliage of crimson, gold, and amber.
A poetically rustic garden-slash-theme park located a thirty-minute train ride away from Central Tokyo, this premier natural park is a postcard-perfect playground for all those young at heart, whether its playing tag under a falling rain of rosy Sakura blossoms or golden-orange maple leaves, picnicking besides vast stretches of flowering meadows, chasing mysterious woodland trails, sliding down a hill of vibrant poppies, or splashing about at the water park. These memorial gardens also feature a bonsai museum, exhibits of late Emperor Showa’s belongings, and traditional farmhouses full of vintage enchantment.
While you can get your adrenaline fix at Tokyo’s famed Shibuya Crossing amid dazzling shows of light and unbelievable currents of people or satiate your appetite for high-stakes thrills at the Tokyo Mystery Circus, a more ruggedly exhilarating off-the-beaten-path escape awaits you 60 minutes away from the city centre at Akigawa valley. Here you can leisurely soak in mountain panoramas, cool river rapids, and seasonal beauty while also engaging in some sportive fun!
An oasis encapsulated by soaring steely skyscrapers, the quaint Shinjuku garden feels like an otherworldly microcosm with its Edo-period gardens designed to imitate the horticultural artistry of different eras and lands, from French-formal and imperial Japanese to the English style of landscaping. If you’re hunting for sophisticated serviced apartments in Shinjuku, venture no further than the likes of Oakwood Apartments Nishi Shinjuku Tokyo.
Once part of a majestic Edo-era fortress, this dreamy heritage garden is steeped with rich echoes of a vibrant past, with parts of the old-world castle tower still standing as a remnant of the citywide fire that ravaged the palace’s circles of defence. Here you can breathe in the perfume of seasonal blooms, blissfully wade into the emperor’s secret garden, take photos of the captivating Suwano tea house, and browse through the Museum of Imperial Collections.
Found smack dab in the centre of the hustling city, this beautifully landscaped haven is a traditionally-inspired gem surrounded by flashy modernity, stunningly holding its own with seawater pools that change with the tides, imperial architecture, an enchanting tea house, and all manner of beautiful trees, from blossoming plum and cherry to ginkgo and maple
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