Things to Do in Shinjuku & Shin-Okubo: The 2026 Travel Guide

Shinjuku Gyoen — Basic Info

Address：11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Opening hours：9:00 – 18:00 (last entry 17:30; closing times may vary by season — check the official site)

Admission：Adult ¥500; seniors 65+ and students (15+) ¥250; under 14 free

Shinjuku Gyoen sits in central Tokyo, about a 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station South Exit — super convenient. It’s a green oasis in the city. The park has three main entrances: Shinjuku Gate, Okido Gate, and Sendagaya Gate; Shinjuku Gate is the most popular with visitors.

Shinjuku Gyoen — Highlights

Shinjuku Gyoen covers 58.3 hectares with a 3.5 km perimeter, blending a Japanese garden, a Formal Garden and a Landscape Garden — a stunning example of modern Japanese garden art. In spring the park blooms with some 65 varieties and over 1,000 cherry trees, painting the grounds pink and red; in autumn vivid maples and camellias create beautiful colors. The park also has a greenhouse displaying rare plants and tea rooms where you can taste matcha and sweets — a neat way to experience traditional Japanese culture.

This is more than a flower spot — it’s a peaceful escape from the city bustle. Walk under the Platanus (plane) trees, stroll the grand avenues, or picnic on the open lawns to soak in the calm. Note: no alcohol or large play equipment allowed inside the park, to keep the space clean and tranquil.

History

Shinjuku Gyoen’s history goes back to the Edo period when the area belonged to the Naito family. In Meiji 12 (1879) the site was established as the “Shinjuku Imperial Park” under the Imperial Household, managed as a place for plant research and improvement. In Meiji 39 (1906), promoted by Fukuba Hayato and redesigned by French landscaper Henri Martinet, it became a blended East–West imperial garden. After World War II, in Showa 24 (1949), it opened to the public as a national park and quickly became a beloved natural spot for Tokyo residents and visitors.

Cultural Significance

Shinjuku Gyoen is not just a natural sight but also a window into modern Japanese history and imperial culture. The historic Goryotei teahouse was designed by Moriyama Matsunosuke in a traditional style using cypress and cedar, a rare example of that era’s architecture. The garden once hosted imperial plum- and cherry-viewing parties and now, as a national park, continues to preserve those cultural memories while also showing Western garden influences — a symbol of Japan’s layered cultural identity.