小石川後楽園 (Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens) / 文京区 (Bunkyo-ku)

It is in central of Tokyo. Just 10 minutes walk from Iidabashi Station and next to Tokyo Dome.

Sunshine enter into the ground through crevice in trees. Why ? Is it forest in the middle of capital Tokyo?

No, it is not. It is a garden. Japanese-Chinese style garden called “Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens”

In Spring, Shidare-Zakura blooms with its beautiful color.

Followings are quotation leaflet produced by “Administrator Public Interest Incorporated Foundation” of Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association

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This garden was originally built by the founder of the Mito branch of Tokugawa clan, Yorifusa as his secondary residence (Later upgraded as the main residence) in early stage of the Edo period, in 1629.

It was completed as a garden during the reign of the second domain load, Mitsukuni.

Its style is Kaiyu-style (circuit style) with ponds and manmade hills entering on the pond. In developing the garden, Mitsukuni invited advises from Zhu Zhiyu, serving retainer of the Min dynasty. Typical sights in China were reflected as seen by Engetsu-kyo and Seiko-no tsutsumi, and even the garden name was given by Zhu Zhiyu, resulting in a garden full of Chinese tastes and flavor.

The name “Korakuen” was derived from a Chinese text “Gakuyo-ki” by Fan Zhongyan, meaning “Worry before all worries in the world, and enjoy after all enjoyments in the world”.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is designated as the Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Special Historic Site of the country by the Cultural Assets Preservation Act. This double designation is quite rare in the country, limited to Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Hama-rikyu Gardens, Kinkakuji Temple and a few others.

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A well never short water.

Engetsu-Kyo (Full moon Bridge)

The name was given in light of the reflected shape of the bridge on water surface that appeared like a full moon.

Tokujin-do

When Mitsukuni was 18 years old, he was deeply moved by reading Shiki (record of Great Historians) “Biographies of Boyi and Shuqui”. Wooden figures of Boyi and Shuqi are used to be enshrined in this small temple.