Happo-en: A Tranquil Oasis in Tokyo

Happo-en, meaning 'Garden of Eight Views,' is a 33,000 square meter Japanese garden in Tokyo's Minato City. This meticulously maintained garden dates back to the Edo period, approximately 400 years ago, and was once the residence of Tadataka Okubo, a confidant of shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. Later, in 1915, industrialist Fusanosuke Kuhara reconstructed the garden. The garden features a variety of attractions, including a pond with colorful koi carp, some worth thousands of dollars. Ancient bonsai trees, some over 500 years old, add to the garden's charm. The garden's design incorporates the natural terrain with hills and streams, offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms, azaleas, maple leaves, and snow. Today, Happo-en is a popular location for weddings and banquets, with a chapel, temple and banquet hall on the grounds. Visitors can enjoy matcha green tea and traditional sweets at the tea houses. The garden also features two restaurants: Slush Cafe, offering fresh vegetable dishes, and Kochuan, a ryotei restaurant serving seasonal Japanese cuisine. Note that Happo-en will be closed for restoration from February 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025.