Written by Jane Pipkin
Amid the bustling metropolitan chaos of Roppongi lies Mohri Garden, a peaceful park where locals lunch and admire the beauty of nature.
Feudal lord Hidemoto Mori created the garden as part of a residence during the Edo period, over 350 years ago. In 1943, TV Asahi acquired the site and later built their headquarters on the grounds. As part of the Roppongi Hills project, developers redeveloped the garden in 2003.
Today, the park blends traditional Japanese garden esthetics with a modern edge. This contrast is highlighted by the contemporary gold heart sculpture Kin no Kokoro by Jean-Michel Othoniel, which appears to float on the pond.
Though the park is fairly small, there are still quiet corners to sit and watch the world go by. It’s also a popular yet low-key cherry blossom spot. Grab a takeout lunch from the Grand Food Hall or Salvatore Cuomo and enjoy it outside. We did this during late sakura season, and were completely captivated by the falling blossoms and surrounding cityscape.
How to get there
The quickest way to get to Mohri Garden is by taking the Hibiya Line to Roppongi Station. From there, it is a 5-minute walk to the garden via Exit 1C.
- 433 m from Roppongi Station Hibiya Line (H4)Oedo Line (E23)
- 0.7 km from Azabujūban Station Namboku Line (N4)Oedo Line (E22)
- 0.8 km from Nogizaka Station Chiyoda Line (C5)
