Koishikawa Korakuen: A Walk in The Park

If there is one thing I can say I have learned to love while living in Japan, it’s walking. I used to hate walking. If I wanted to hit the Taco Bell just three blocks away from my house and the family car wasn’t available, I’d skip eating. Now I’ll walk through freezing winds just to get a cup of noodles. I think it has a lot to do with Japan offering so many cool places that require you to walk. Take Koishikawa Korakuen for example.

Koishikawa Korakuen is one of my favorite gardens in Tokyo. I know there are a lot of gardens to choose from in Tokyo, but Koishikawa Korakuen is special for me. It’s where I went with my first date in Japan. The girl ended up being a total psycho, but man, that garden is pretty.

The garden is also a little bit different in that it mimics famous Japanese and Chinese landscapes. It’s beautiful all year long, but the best time to go is during late fall, when the trees become a bright red and orange color. It’s a beautiful sight and the maple trees that surround the garden’s ponds are remarkable. It goes without saying that the garden is breathtaking during cheery blossom as well.

Koishikawa Korakuen is just a 5 to 10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station and is only 300yen to enter. So this fall, grab a couple of bentos and your non-psycho boyfriend or girlfriend, and head to Koishikawa Korakuen for a walk in the park.