300 Year Old Pine

You can see this old pine tree at the north west corner of hama-rikyu gardens.
This pine tree was planted at the time of 6 th Tokugawa Shogun, Ienobu.
He planted the tree to celebrate renovation of the garden.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Coral Tree in Hama-rikyu Gardens

This coral tree stands at north east corner of hama-rikyu gardens.
You might think why coral tree is in Japanese garden.
Any way, it is beautiful in this season.
By the way, you can see ticket counter of water bus in thr first photo (left side).
You can come in the garden by the water bus, also you can leave from the garden by it.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Japanese Iris and Hydrangea

You can enjoy flowers in hama-rikyu gardens each season.
Those Japanese irises were in full bloom when I visited there.




Those hydrangeas were not yet in full bloom, but it looks beautiful enough for me.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Pond in Duck Hunting Site

This is a my favorite place in hama-rikyu gardenss.
This place is a duck hunting site called "Koshindo Kamoba".
We can't approach to the pond from walkway.
You can see Tokyo tower over there.

(Note)
This photo was taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Horse Riding Ground Site

Hama-rikyu gardens were family gardens of Tokugawa Shogun.
This place was a horse riding area on that time.
Samurai of Tokugawa Shogunate exercised horse riding in this place.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Kamoba ( Duck Hunting Site )

There are two duck hunting site in hama-rikyu gardens.
In Edo era,they watched ducks through that narrow window in photo above.


They led ducks to the narrow water course by using decoy and bait, and caught them with net.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Waterfowl in Hama-rikyu Gardens

If you walk around the pond in hama-rikyu gardens,
you can watch waterfowls in the pond.
This pond is a wonderful home of wild birds.
I like watching birds playing in the pond.

(Note)
This photo was taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Small hill in Hama-rikyu Gardens

This is a small hill in hama-rikyu gardens.
There is a bench on the top of hill.
You can rest on the bench.
Photo below is a view from top of hill.


(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

View from Hama-rikyu Gardens

These photos are view from hama-rikyu gardens.
Tokyo bay is over the sea wall.
You can see rainbow bridge in distance.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Fujimi-yama

Fujimi-yama is a small hill in Hama-rikyu Gardens.
That slope is a little steep.

Photo above is a view from the top of the hill.

(Note)
These photos were taken om Jun 12 , 2009.

Nakajima-no-ochaya

Today I introduce a teahose in Hama-rikyu Gardens.
This teahouse is on a small island in Shioiri-pond.
Original building was built in 1707.
And current building was restored in 1983.

You can have a cup of mattcha ( powdered green tea ) and a Japanese sweet in the teahouse. (500 yen)

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Otsutai-Bashi in Hama-rikyu Gardens

Otsutai-bashi is a bridge across a pond ( Shioiri-no-ike) which is in Hama-rikyu gardens.
You can go to "Nakajima" which is a small island in the pond by walking on the bridge.
This bridge is made of Hinoki cypress (Japanese cypress).

(Note)
These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Shioiri-no-Ike

This large pond is in Hama-rikyu Gardens.
The pond is named "Shioiri-no-Ike, 潮入の池".
It means incoming tide pond.
The water in the pond is drawn from Tokyo bay.

You can walk around the pond, and walk on bridges which are across the pond.
So you can enjoy many beautiful views of the pond.

When I visited there, I forgot time running.
If your hobby is photograph, I think you can stay around the pond so long time.

(Note)
These photos were taken on Juon 12 , 2009.

Hama-rikyu Gardens

This large garden is located at mouth of sumida-gawa(river).
It has a large sea water pond which has beautiful curves.
In flower fields, you can enjoy beautiful flowers through four seasons.

This garden was a family garden of Tokugawa shogun in Edo era.
Many site on that time remain in this garden.
I think designs of the garden are simple.
But it reminds me this garden was for samurai.

After Meiji Restoration, the garden became detached palace for Imperial family.
And the garden was renamed "Hama-rikyu" (Hama-detached palace).

In 1945, Imperial family gave this garden to city of Tokyo.
And now, this garden is managed by Tokyo Metropolitan Govornment as public garden.

The garden is next to shiodome that is a large business district in Tokyo.
After 2000, scenery around the garden was dramatically changed by redevelopment of shiodome district.
You can see many tall buildings from the garden.
But I don't think those are strange combination.
It looks for me that, those modern buildings and the garden which was designed around three and a half century before, are respectful each other.

From tomorrow, I introduce you details of the garden.

Stay tuned!!

(Note)
Formal name of the garden is "Hama rikyu onshi teien", "浜離宮恩賜庭園".

These photos were taken on Jun 12 , 2009.

Do you know where I am?

I'm walking on a path.
I think this place is rich in nature.
But I came here from ginza by walking.
It means here is not so far from heart of Tokyo.
I feel a smell of sea very slightly.

I will start a series of this garden from tomorrow.