HAMARIKYU GARDENS

Description

Essentials about Hamarikyu Gardens in brief

With its ponds and historic tea houses, Hamarikyū Park, located at the mouth of the Sumida River into Tokyo Bay, is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the Japanese capital. Despite much destruction throughout history, the 250-hectare park remains an important example of Edo period culture. Those who like to take part in a classical Japanese tea ceremony should definitely visit the tea house on the middle island in the largest pond. Amateur botanists will find a peony garden, a plum tree grove and meadows of scattered flowers in the park.

The history and grounds of Hamarikyu Gardens

Originally, the reed-covered waterfront area was used by the Tokugawa dynasty as a hunting ground. In 1654, Tokugawa Tsunashige began land reclamation on the present site, with the area still separated from the mainland by a moat.

In 1707, the garden underwent major remodeling for what was now permanent use, and the Nakajima, Umite, and Kiyomizu teahouses, a Kannon-dō, Kōshin-dō, and the main gate including a fixed bridge were built. Later, when Tsunashige’s son became Shōgun in 1709, the complex was expanded again.

In the time of Shōgun Yoshimune in the first half of the 18th century, a forge and powder magazines were built in the garden. In 1727, fires devastated the complex. During the time of Shogun Ienari, teahouses were again built and resting places established.

During the last period of Tokugawa rule, the complex was no longer used. In 1866, the Commissioner of the Navy was given residence there. Plans were made to build a residence for him, but this was not carried out due to the fall of the Shōgunate in 1868. After the Meiji Restoration, the site fell to the Imperial Court and has since been called “Hama-rikyū” (“Hama Outer Residence”).

During the 1923 Kantō earthquake and World War II, some of the buildings in the park were destroyed or damaged. In 1946, the park was transferred to the city of Tokyo, which largely restored it.