Great spots in TokyoSightseeing

【Gardens in Tokyo】Otani art museum and two types of gardens in Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Otani art museum of Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

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History and Features of Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

There are the Western style residence called Otani Art Museum, the Western style garden and the Japanese garden at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. The place where people can see both Western style garden and Japanese garden is rare.The Western style residence was built on a small hill. The Western style garden was located on the slope ,and the Japanese garden was created on the lower level of the grounds. This property was originally the residence of a famous Meiji Period notable, Mutsu Munemitsu. After his second son was adopted into the Furukawa family, it became the property of the Furukawa family (The buildings from the previous era no longer exist). The currently existing western-style residence and garden was designed by the English architect, Josiah Condor (1852 to 1920), who designed the Rokumeikan, the Nicolai Cathedral, the historic Iwasaki western-style residence etc,. He made many contributions to the development of architecture in Japan. The Japanese garden was designed by Ogawa Jihei(1860 to 1933), a designer of Japanese gardens from Kyoto.

View points

Otani Art Museum

The English architect, Josiah Condor was designed the residence and built in May,1917. You can enter the building by joining in the guided tour or using the tea room on the 1st floor. You can have drinks and desserts in the tea room. 

※ The fee of the guided tour is 800 yen for adult, 400 yen for junior high school students, free for elementary school students and younger

※Photography is prohibited

The Western style garden

The Western style garden was designed by Josiah Condor. Roses have been planted in the manner of a terraced garden and they bloom in the spring and fall. 

The Japanese garden

The Japanese garden was designed by Ogawa Jihei(1860 to 1933). There is a small waterfall in the garden, so people can hear the sound of water and see beautiful trees. In fall, The leave of trees turn to be red and yellow. It’s extremely beautiful.

The Rose Festival

In spring(From May to June) and fall(October), The rose festival takes place at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. During the festival, Guide tour of the Western style garden, concerts and light-up event are held.

※Check the duration of the rose festival and time schedule of the events on the website below

Opening hours and Entrance fee

Opening hours

9 am – 5 pm
(The last entry is 4:30 pm)

 

Entrance fee

General 150 yen
Older than 65 years old 70 yen
Elementary school students and younger Free

Access

Address

1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0024

 

By Public Transportation

JR Keihin-tohoku Line, Kami-Nakasato Station (7 minutes on foot)
Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Nishigahara Sta. (7 minutes on foot)
JR Yamanote Line, Komagome Sta. (15 minutes on foot)
※No parking available.

 

Map

Rikugien Gardens: The japanese garden near Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

There is a Japanese garden called Rikugien gardens near Kyu-Furukawa gardens. Rikugien Gardens is famous for being a place where people can see illuminated trees. Cherry blossom’s are lit-up in Spring and colored leave’s are light-up in fall and this takes place every year. If you go to Kyu-Furukawa gardens, you should go to Rikugien too!


Some people think that Tokyo has only lots of tall buildings, but there are many beautiful gardens and parks there too. Let’s go to Japanese gardens in Tokyo!