Symphony of the Four Seasons in the City 🎶 Shinjuku Gyoen Summary

#JapanGuide 🌳 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 📍 Location & Accessibility • A large park of 58.3ha spanning the Shinjuku and Shibuya areas of Tokyo • Approximately a 10-minute walk from the south exit of JR Shinjuku Station, a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station (丸ノ内 Line), and also accessible from Sendagaya Station and other stations  ⸻ 🎟️ Admission & Opening Hours • Adults 500 yen / Seniors and college students 250 yen / Junior high school students and younger free  • Opening hours vary by season: • 10/1–3/14: 09:00–16:30 (closes at 16:00) • 3/15–6/30, 8/21–9/30: 09:00–18:00 (closes at 17:30) • 7/1–8/20: 09:00–19:00 (closing at 18:30)  • Closed every Monday, except during cherry blossom and chrysanthemum seasons • Reservations are required during some periods (such as certain dates during cherry blossom season) () ⸻ 🌸 Main areas & attractions 1. Japanese garden • Traditional beauty with ponds, bridges, traditional teahouses, and Taiwanese pavilions  2. British landscape garden • Wide lawns, popular as a picnic spot in spring () 3. French formal garden • Colorful flower gardens (especially roses) and formal design () 4. Greenhouse • Exhibits over 1,700 species of tropical and subtropical plants, built in 1950 () 5. Grand Staircase (Daikaidan) • A great place to view the central hall, surrounding scenery, and the city skyline from the stairs  ⸻ 🌿 Four Seasons Charming Points • Spring (March-April): Approximately 1,500 cherry blossom trees, cherry blossom tunnel under the pond with petals falling () • Summer: Tropical plant greenhouse viewing and green lawn garden walk  • Fall (October-November): Colorful transformation with autumn foliage garden and chrysanthemum exhibition () • Winter: Snow-covered garden, quiet atmosphere, and protected pine tree scenery () ⸻ ℹ️ Useful Tips • Early entry recommended: Best for walking or taking pictures in the quiet morning hours • Reservation confirmation required: Advance reservation required for specific times during cherry blossom season () • Picnic prohibited items: Alcohol, music instruments, exercise equipment, etc. are not allowed • Parking lot available: Discount applied upon presentation of admission ticket, starting from 600 yen for the first 2 hours () • Purchase of annual pass (adult 2,000 yen) is good for frequent visits during cherry blossom and chrysanthemum seasons () ⸻ 📝 Impressions “It’s hard to believe that it’s in the middle of downtown Shinjuku, with greenery and flowers It was an oasis. The moment I walked under the pink cherry blossoms on a spring day, the silence and liveliness came alive at the same time, and it was moving. While walking around the Japanese garden, sitting by the pond in the tea house, listening to the sound of the wind and the birds, and the combination of the sky and skyline seen from the grand staircase was like a scene from a movie. This place, which shows a different face every season, is a healing space that you absolutely cannot miss when traveling to Tokyo 😊”