

This season, with their beautiful trees with hues of reds and yellows, what about taking the time to enjoy autumn’s wonders at the metropolitan gardens? Tokyo offers a huge variety of gardens. Of these, the nine metropolitan gardens designated as cultural assets include Hamariku Gardens and Koishikawa Kōrakuen Gardens. Some of them are Daimyo (feudal lord) gardens that are remnants of the Edo Period, while others are newer styles established since the Meiji Period, etc. All nine of these gardens are historically and culturally significant as well. To convey both the value and attraction of these gardens to as many people as possible, in that November 28th has been designated, “Good Gardens Day”, the “Ii Niwa (1128) Campaign” is being conducted.
Hama-rikyu Gardens

Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

Rikugien Gardens

Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens

Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens

Kiyosumi Gardens

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Tonogayato Gardens

©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
The campaign will run from November 1st (Sat.) through to December 12th (Fri.). It will include a Twitter photo gallery of autumn photos taken at metropolitan gardens and guided tours to fully experience their attraction. Additionally, participants can enjoy the possibility of receiving annual passports and original novelty goods if they arrive early enough.
We would also like to draw attention to the wide variety of events that will be held at the different gardens during the course of the campaign. In addition to cultural experiences such as Kyogen (traditional comic dramas) and Tsugaru shamisen (three-stringed musical instruments), at Rikugien Gardens between November 20th (Thu.) and December 7th (Sun.), there will be a night-time light up event. This will allow visitors the pleasure of unusual scenery. Please check the schedule and take this opportunity to visit the gardens with friends and family. By doing so, you will be able to more fully experience the wonders of the Japanese autumn.

A photo from last year's guided tours
(Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Gardens)
©Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association

An example of some of the novelty goods
© Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
9 Metropolitan Gardens – “Ii Niwa (1128) Campaign”
■Dates & Times: November 1st (Sat.) to December 12th (Fri.)
9:00~17:00(last admissions at 16:30)
*Please refer to the following link for details.
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/event/2014/09/9-1128.html (in Japanese only)
■“Let’s go to the Gardens” (Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association)
http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/index.html (gives an introduction to the different gardens only)