Day 2: Sensoji temple, Asakusa in Tokyo - Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo - Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo - HIBIYA GARDEN - Imperial Palace and Gardens - Tokyo Tower
A prolonged search for the Imperial Palace found us standing at the entrance of the Hibiya Garden instead and we gladly made our way in as the entry was free.
HIBIYA GARDEN
One of the most popular parks of Tokyo, Hibiya Garden was built, designed and constructed as a modern city park in the early 1900’s. Used as an army drill site at one time, it today serves its purpose of a place for some fun and recreation very well. In spite of standing in the midst of the high-tech area of Ginza, the garden is a huge respite from all the city chaos and does a fantastic job of keeping people close to nature and to life.
Take a quiet stroll,
The many paths leading you in the interiors of the garden
... sit down on one of its benches,
or stand still near a pond...
Two different ponds inside the park
... all the smells, the vibes and the atmosphere,
Different colors and varieties of flowers blooming in the garden
I'm sorry, I've have no clue on the names :-)
Trees, plants and fountains arranged beautifully
... all the sights that you come across, everything is fascinating and soothing to your senses.
A cat keeps guard
Tennis Court: A girl takes a break from her tennis lessons
A teddy bear dolled up in nature
An artist takes some inspiration
Children Park: Kids and parents enjoying their day out
Complete with lovely fountains that breathe a whiff of fresh air, pleasant lakes that have stood the hammers of renovations, beautiful flowers that sing the melody of life, and lovely sights that give you a meaning for life... a stroll in this garden unraveled before me a different side to the personality of the Tokyo city that I had hitherto seen in my trip to Japan...
This was a place,
Where God-gift of nature was adored as much as (or may be even more?)
pride was taken in all its arty concrete and innovative technology...
This was a place,
Where two generations - the old and the new - strode along,
side by side, very happy in their own spaces without any pushing around...
This, was a place... I realized, I was slowly getting to know...
Getting there: How to Reach and Other Fast Facts
Get Down at: Hibiya Station of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line OR Kasumigaseki Station of Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Chiyoda
Line. 2 minutes walk each.
Entry Fee: Free
Nearby Places to Visit: Imperial Palace and Gardens
Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -
85 Comments
So tranquil. I have always loved the Japanese' sense of aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place, fantastic photographs. I am greeting
ReplyDeletelovely...urban nature at its best..you know arti..when we are in the cities..we appreciate such natural oasis much more...
ReplyDeletethis is a very nicely landscaped garden!!
Hi Arti,
ReplyDeleteHibiya garden is really beautiful and looks so tranquil, all the gorgeous green and pretty flowers.
It must be wonderful to come here and get away from the hustle and bustle of the City life.
Happy week
Carolyn
These pictures are so lovely. I could use that quiet stroll!
ReplyDeleteUnbelievably clean and beautiful.I don't know how they can keep the gardens like that.
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of our own parks and gardens.
Gorgeous pictures Arti! Having a park within the city is such a boon...the green,pleasant breeze just brings the mood of relaxation! And it's an interesting place to sit and observe so many people too!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. Of course, I know the park. There are some large parks in Tokyo than you expected. It's a cozy place.
ReplyDeleteAll that green is lovely! we are getting ready to head out on our big camping / hiking trip and I cant wait to get in the trees!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely stroll. I feel the vibes! the trees and flowers are unfamiliar and exotic - I love that. thanks for the tour of Hibiya Garden Arti. It was delightful. happy week to you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to visit. Very serene and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to visit. Very serene and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am super fan of your site,so I sent you a award in my site.Kindly share it.
ReplyDeleteJapanese gardens are so neat, serene and lovely. Everything has its place.
ReplyDeleteA serene and beautiful place Arti!
ReplyDeleteThere are Japanese gardens in other parts of the world and we have one here in Spore too...A Japanese garden in Japan should be authentic and beautiful...Nice pics!
ReplyDeleteHi Arti,
ReplyDeleteI'm Chetan. We're hosting India's first Travel Massive, a global initiative to get the travel community together locally. It will be held on August 24th in Mumbai.
I would like to invite you for the same. Could you share your email address so that I can email the event details accordingly? You could either respond here or find me on twitter @KapoorChetan.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Cheers,
Chetan
A heart warming walk through. When speaking of gardens, Japan instantly engulfs me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden with so many lovely flowers and views!
ReplyDeleteThe garden looks so lovely and green. Nice shots.
ReplyDeletehttp://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Wow Arti... Really beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHi,Arti.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought me back to my twenties!
I would go to the garden after school hours, walking, spending in the library, which is standing in the garden, and I remember that occasionally open concert was held there. The garden is always well kept,and full of green and seasonal flowers. Thank you for sharing the Hibiya garden.
Have a good day,Arti.
Tomoko
Amazing Pictures. You refreshed my memory trip to Japan. I love Japan.
ReplyDeleteI should imagine this provides a much needed place of peace and tranquility, it just goes to show beauty can be found in all places.
ReplyDeleteNot too sure what happened there, my comment seemed to disappear before I pressed publish.
ReplyDeleteSuch a welcome place of peace and tranquility, it just goes to show beauty can be found in all places.
Beautiful shots. Sorry I missed this place in Tokyo!
ReplyDeleteI just love seeing this Arti! We've visited a beautiful Japanese garden in Portland Oregon and I knew that Japanese people are well-known for gardens and flower arrangements, but somehow I never thought of this tranquil and lovely place in the middle of the biggest bustling city.
ReplyDeleteAll your pictures are lovely, and I especially like the one with the two generations.
When I visited Tokyo several years ago, I was surprised how quiet and rich in green in the big parks, where they have been oasis for the people.
ReplyDeleteI like the juxtaposition showed in your picture; "the new and the old, strode along on their own pace", though we rarely find someone in kimono except some special occasions.
cosmos/keiko
the pathways are so tranquil, so inviting for some quiet moments, love your images Arti. the pink ones (below the yellow roses) are pink evening primrose. I am surprised to see it there, I guess, they grow everywhere.
ReplyDelete@Chetan Kapoor
ReplyDeleteMy email id is 22arti@gmail.com
Kindly forward me the details.
Lovely images of a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to meeting up at the Mumbai Travel Massive!
I love all that green in the middle of the city.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the garden was where you were meant to be that day. Hope you found the palace though.
@Thanks Everyone for your kind words and appreciations :) The tranquility the park exhibited in spite of standing right in the middle of city commotion was indeed remarkable.
ReplyDelete@cosmos Thanks cosmos. Yes, I remember you telling me that... I think Hibiya Garden was the only place where I did manage to spot quite a few ladies in Kimonos otherwise they were hard to find in Japan.
@betchai Ah, how sweet of you :) That is very interesting to know. I am generally weak when it comes to remembering flower names. Thanks for sharing.
@magiceye I would love to be there too but I might just be traveling during that period.
@Inside journeys Yes, I did find it. That's what is coming up next.
This place is so lovely and peaceful. How lucky you re to see it in person!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing those wonderful photographs.
beautiful garden
ReplyDeletephotos also good
happy independence day
thanks for sharing
wow! lovely series of snaps....superb!
ReplyDeletebeautiful garden pics
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely images. Enjoyed the tour!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Agnes. the place looks tranquil. you can just sit there for hours and be at peace with the world.
ReplyDeletewonderful garden - wonderful people and wonderful snaps...
ReplyDeleteseems i missed lot of posts... will try to reach them as soon as possible...
Such a pleasant area. And I love that black and white cat... reminds me of the one I used to have.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully maintained garden! Loved all your pics, especially the 3rd one. It has a very interesting entrance point..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tour - what a lovely park!
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing this park. Though I've never been there, it looks like a nice cozy park. Tokyo has a larger green than we think. I will visit there someday.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
I looks like 'The Central Park' in NYC. Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures and we are back on Japan series. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a peaceful, green place. And lovely pictures too, especially the cat and red roses:)
ReplyDeleteSuch eyquisite gardens Arti, so delicate and orderly, an oasis in the city. Hope your day is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden, and your photos are just spectacular!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We went to this park two years ago and it looked very similar. There was even a guy painting murals. Such a great way to explore the city.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a joy to be walking around a busy city and then escape it for a bit by taking a leisure break relaxing and walking around a park!
ReplyDeleteI missed this park when I was in Tokyo in 2008. Looks very green and soothing to the eyes. Love it!
ReplyDelete@Arti Truly beautiful post, Awesome photographs.Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
What a wonderful tour. Love that last shot - so elegant yet speaking a hundred words.
ReplyDeleteArti,
ReplyDeleteWhat I was surprised with while staying in Tokyo are deep subways and many large gardens and big population.
Tokyo is a super modern city, but still there are the traditional and the modern standing side by side. When I went to Roppongi, I happened to see a traditional festival held by a small local shrine. They served me rice cakes. There I saw the life of the local people. The shrine was surrounded by tall buildings.
Next time I go to Tokyo, I will visit Hibiya Park!!
keiko
♡¸.°.¸♫♫♪
ReplyDeleteBelas fotos!
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil
♡彡♫♪°.¸.•°`
a wonderfull park indeed ... lovely clicks that captured the essence of the park.
ReplyDelete@ Mary The World is a Book
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, your comment got deleted. Its a mistake, I regret. My apologies.
It is hard to believe this is in the middle of a city. With the big trees, it almost feels like you are in a forest.
ReplyDeleteHello, Arti! I think one of the pleasures foreign tourists can find in Japan is contrast like ancient tradition and cutting-edge technology, or high-rises of concrete and tranquil gardens. You spent more time in Tokyo than I have spent all in my life so far. I’ve never been to Hibiya Park. I like the pelican sculpture splashing water in the fountain.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Looks like a very peaceful spot.
ReplyDeletenice and peaceful place...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful look at Hibiya Gardens, Arti. Your photos are lovely. I really like urban gardens lie this that allow people in the city to experience Nature.
ReplyDeleteLovely garden.
ReplyDeleteWhy its name is Hibia?
Arti,your every post on Japan
Yatra is delighting me.
Thanks.
i can only imagine such parks in india .. only in my dreams!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tour you have taken us along with you. Enjoyed reading all the posts pertaining to Japan
ReplyDeleteLovely gardens! Awesome post, as always! Thank you Arti:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful park...Nice pics... Loved the white flower...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Loved that teddy bear
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures from the place.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Photos. I can understand how it feels to enter into a beautiful garden amidst a concrete jungle. I felt the same when i went to Lalbag in Bangalore.
ReplyDeleteLovely post once again!!
Hi Arti Dear,
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing great! :)
All of the images are so beautiful with touch of greenery.. Delighted!
You are lucky to get an opportunity to visit such a wonder.. :)
My best wishes to you! Lots of Love
Beautiful lush green pictures-they are so soothing to the eyes.Thank you ever so much Arti for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteNice to see this post. The images are good. The greenery looks nice and gives us an idea about the efforts put in. The image about two generations is thought provoking, especially your quote about the two generations giving each other space without any pushing or shoving.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and well maintained garden.
ReplyDeleteArti...Hibiya garden is really beautiful and looks so peaceful and serene. It is beautifully wrapped in flowers and greenery. Pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing with us...
Japanese Gardens, prim and proper, as always. :)
ReplyDeleteNice post and nice pictures too. :)
I liked the way slowly unfolded this garden before our eyes..! Amazing place, lucky you..!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Loved that green bridge of trees and that teddy was to die for :-).
ReplyDeleteLove the images, Arti. Beautiful garden. Nice to see Japan preserving its natural beauty so wonderfully well. :)
ReplyDeleteEagerly awaiting for your Melbourne series. Congratulations once again. :)
Even in the creation of beauty, Japan is so efficient. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteLovely pics.. flowery and soothing..
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful ... so peaceful ....
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures.
So beautiful ... so peaceful ....
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures.
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