A flower garden where blooms of all seasons flourish, alive with the culture of Edo townspeople
A soothing hidden gem in Tokyo where you can experience Japan’s wildflower culture
【向島百花園】
Located in Sumida City, Tokyo, about an 8-minute walk from the Tobu Skytree Line’s “Higashi-Mukojima Station,” 向島百花園 retains a strong atmosphere of townspeople culture from the Edo period (Bunka–Bunsei era) despite its urban setting. The garden was opened as a “privately run flower garden” on the former estate of the hatamoto Taga family by antiques dealer Sahara Kiku’u, with the cooperation of leading literati and calligraphers with whom he was acquainted.
Unlike daimyo gardens such as Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien, its appeal lies in a unique beauty that is down-to-earth yet rich in literati taste. In 1978, it was designated by the national government as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site. Within its roughly 10,000-square-meter grounds, around 600 species of flowers and grasses bloom throughout the year—centered on plants celebrated in classics such as the Classic of Poetry and the Manyoshu—conveying to visitors the elegant everyday life of Edo.
Top 3 Highlights
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1. A garden for admiring flowers of the four seasons
The name “Hyakkaen” derives from the sayings “plum blossoms bloom ahead of the hundred flowers” and “a garden where the hundred flowers of the four seasons bloom in profusion.” In early spring, more than 20 varieties of ume display their beauty; in spring, wisteria and irises; in summer, hydrangeas and Japanese irises; in autumn, bush clover and silver grass; and in winter, wintersweet and adonis—letting you enjoy flowers throughout the year.
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
2. An autumn tradition: the 30-meter “Hagi Tunnel”
What symbolizes autumn at 向島百花園 is the famous “Hagi Tunnel.” Miyagino bush clover and other varieties are trained along bamboo trellises to form a tunnel, and in September the delicate hagi blossoms are in full bloom along a stretch of about 30 meters. Passing through the arching branches weighed down by flowers offers an elegant pleasure that captivates many visitors.
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
3. “Poem and stone monuments” and the “御成座敷” that record the history of the literati
Within the garden stand 29 monuments such as poem and haiku steles left by literary figures of the time, allowing you to feel the depth of history as you stroll. In addition, the “御成座敷（おなりざしき）” on the grounds is a venerable assembly hall that conveys the atmosphere of when Edo-period literati gathered to compose poetry and appreciate nature.
During the Edo period, the shogun also paid visits, further deepening the garden’s character.
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
Facility Information
| Name | 向島百花園 |
| Address | 〒131-0032 3-18-3 Higashi-Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo |
| Access |
Tobu Skytree Line: alight at「Higashi-Mukojima」 Approx. 8 minutes on foot Keisei Electric Railway Oshiage Line: alight at「Keisei-Hikifune」 Approx. 13 minutes on foot Toei Bus Kameido-Nippori（里22） Alight at「Hyakkaen-mae」 Approx. 2–3 minutes on foot Parking ・No parking available |
| Business hours |
9:00 a.m.～5:00 p.m. (Last entry until 4:30 p.m.) ※Hours may be extended during event periods. |
| Regular holidays |
Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 29～Jan 3) ※Mukojima Hyakkaen is closed from Dec 29 to Jan 3; however, during the “Sumida River Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage,” only the area of the Fukurokuju Hall is open to visitors. |
| Admission fee |
General 150 yen Ages 65 and over 70 yen (Free for elementary school students and younger, and for junior high school students who live or attend school in Tokyo) 【Groups of 20 or more】 General 120 yen Ages 65 and over 50 yen ※Free for holders of disability certificates (physical disability certificate, Ai-no-techo, mental disability health and welfare certificate, or rehabilitation certificate) issued in Japan and for one accompanying person ※Free admission days: Greenery Day (５月４日), Tokyo Citizens’ Day (１０月１日) 【Annual Passport】 General 600 yen Ages 65 and over 280 yen |
| Payment methods |
Electronic money Transit IC cards, QuicPay, iD, Rakuten Edy Credit cards JCB, VISA, MASTER, UnionPay, AMERICAN EXPRESS, Diners Club, DISCOVER Card Code payments PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-barai, au Pay, Merpay, Alipay, WeChatPay, Smart Code |
| Garden guide |
At Mukojima Hyakkaen, free garden guides are offered at the following times. Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (about 40 minutes) ※Guided tours may be canceled due to weather conditions, etc. For same-day availability, please contact the Mukojima Hyakkaen Service Center. |
| Official website | https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/mukojima-hyakkaen/ |
Other Recommended Information
Traditional Events and Festivals:
At Mukojima Hyakkaen, a variety of seasonal events are held throughout the year. In early spring, you can enjoy beautiful plum blossoms during the "Ume Festival," and around the New Year there is an event for the "Seven Herbs of Spring," offering different experiences depending on when you visit. Please check the official website for event information.
Garden Guide:
Two garden tours (free, about 40 minutes) are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. With detailed explanations by volunteer guides, you can learn more about the garden's plants and history.
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
References
- Mukojima Hyakkaen Official Website：https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/mukojima-hyakkaen/