Tokyo National Museum Garden: A Tranquil Oasis

The Tokyo National Museum Garden, located behind the main building (Honkan) of the Tokyo National Museum, offers a tranquil escape with seasonal colors. The garden's grounds were once part of the Kan'eiji Temple, one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples. After the Boshin Civil War in 1868, the grounds were converted into one of Japan's first Western-style parks. The garden is home to five historic teahouses that were moved from various regions of Japan. These include Okyokan, Kujokan, Rokusoan, Tengoan, and Shunsoro. Tengōan was designed by tea master Kobori Enshū in Kyoto, while Kujōkan was relocated from the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The teahouses can be booked for tea ceremonies and haiku gatherings. In spring, the garden becomes a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, with various cherry trees blooming. The garden is also open to visitors in November during the autumn foliage season. Historical monuments, including the stone monument of Hisanari Machida, the museum's first director, a five-storied pagoda, and the gravestones of the Arima clan, can also be found. Note that the garden may be closed due to bad weather or maintenance.