Top 5 Secluded Parks in Tokyo for a Peaceful Retreat

NameAir QualityNomad CostExpat CostCost ScoreLeisure ScoreRating
Tokyo

Tokyo

Japan

100
$5365$4181
20
100
Top 5 Secluded Parks in Tokyo for a Peaceful Retreat

As Japan's largest and capital city, Tokyo is a vibrant, international hub. It has a mix of culture with modern innovation, bustling with tourists due to its diverse culinary industry, vast entertainment options, and efficient transport system.

But amid this bustling metropolis, Tokyo offers several parks that provide a soothing respite from the urban hustle and bustle. Here are the top 5 secluded parks in Tokyo for a peaceful retreat.

1. Kiyosumi Garden, Fukagawa

Established in the Meiji era, Kiyosumi Garden or Kiyosumi Teien is a preserved strolling garden with a pond serving as the focal point, with herons and turtles swimming in it. It is surrounded by rare imported rocks, stepping stones, and pines. A circular path wraps around the garden, which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful views from every angle. The best part is that it is not crowded, not even on weekends or holidays, which makes it perfect for a soothing respite from the city’s busy life.

Entry fee: ¥150

Nearest landmark: Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station

2. Todoroki Valley, Setagaya

Right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, Todoroki Valley is a lush, green, and tranquil surprise for anyone visiting this area. Unlike most parks, it has a river flowing through it, dense foliage, and bamboo groves that remain shaded even in summer. It’s a green haven in the middle of the city, offering a true escape from urban Tokyo. You can visit the Todoroki Fudoson Temple and absorb the cultural and religious customs there, or walk along the path of the Yazawa River and rest at the traditional garden stop at the end of the trail.

Entry fee: Free

Nearest landmark: Tokyo Oimachi Line - Tokyo Station

3. Koishikawa Korakuen, Bunkyo

Entry fee: ¥300

Nearest landmark: Lidabashi Station

The Koishikawa Korakuen dates back to the early Edo period, and despite being close to the famous Tokyo Dome, it is a secluded garden known mostly to locals of the area. It is a historical masterpiece with gardens that beautifully incorporate Chinese and Japanese designs and architecture. It has several ponds (with turtles sunbathing on the rocks!), bridges (the Tsutenkyo Bridge is a particularly peaceful spot to relax and read a book), and seasonal greenery. If you plan your trip in late Autumn, you can see the amber maple leaves or plum blossoms.

4. Shizen Kyoiku-en, Meguro

Entry fee: ¥320

Nearest landmark: Sherkendai Station

You don’t have to leave the city to take a wildlife retreat with this park in town - well, it’s more than that. The Shizen Kyoiku-en or Institute of Nature Studies is a forest area protected and operated by the National Museum of Nature and Science. It has dense woodlands, marshes, and wildlife, especially birds! You can come here for a solitary and relaxing experience, bird-watching on a random weekday, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, surrounded by nature in the heart of the metropolis.

Hamarikyo Gardens, Chuo

Entry fee: ¥300

Nearest landmark: Shiadome Station

What used to be a feudal lord’s holiday home, Hamarikyo gardens, offers a beautiful juxtaposition of nature and modern city life, showing that both can exist in harmony. These beautiful gardens, with seawater ponds, lush greenery, are surrounded by skyscrapers and the bustle of Tuskiji market nearby. Their central location means they are not secluded, but due to their sheer size, they can offer an isolated, relaxing, and peaceful environment for anyone looking to enjoy a quiet time in solitude. You can sip some matcha from the teahouse near the ponds, and let your mind wander off into deep reflections as you watch the tides rise and fall in the seawater ponds.

Conclusion

Tokyo is home to plenty of green gems, both famous and secluded. While being a metrapolitan city with skyscrapers and busy, rushed lives, Tokyo also offers tranquil and soothing respites through its many parks and gardens. Some are free, while some require an entry fee, but all of them offer a secluded and peaceful experience for you to relax, enjoy the views, and truly put your mind and body at ease.


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NameAir QualityNomad CostExpat CostCost ScoreLeisure ScoreRating
Tokyo

Tokyo

Japan

100
$5365$4181
20
100

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