Kadokawa Garden: A Tranquil Oasis in Tokyo

Kadokawa Garden is a serene Japanese garden located in the Ogikubo area of Suginami City, Tokyo. Opened to the public in May 2009, the garden was created as a space where visitors can appreciate the beauty of nature and traditional Japanese design. The garden's design incorporates water elements, carefully placed stones, and a variety of seasonal plants, all arranged across multiple levels connected by winding pathways. The garden is home to the Suginami House of Poetry, also known as “Gengi Sambo,” a historic building that once belonged to Genyoshi Kadokawa, the founder of Kadokawa Publishing Company. This building features a tea ceremony room in the Sukiya-zukuri architectural style and was designated as a national cultural heritage property. While the second floor is not open to the public, the tea ceremony room can be rented through the Suginami city hall. Visitors can explore the garden's various features, including a traditional chozubachi (washbasin) and suikinkutsu (a type of underground bell). The suikinkutsu creates a soothing, bell-like sound when water drips through it. The garden also offers benches where visitors can rest and enjoy the surrounding nature. The elevation changes within the garden provide different perspectives of the landscape. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, while summer brings multiflora roses. In autumn, Japanese pampas grass sways in the wind.