Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens

Mukojima-Hyakkaen (向島百花園) is a rare and evocative departure from the grand, aristocratic “daimyo” gardens typically found in Tokyo. Established during the early 19th century by Sahara Kiku, a wealthy antique dealer from the Mukojima area, the garden was born from the creative collaboration of the city’s literati—the poets, painters, and calligraphers of the late Edo period. Unlike the manicured, structural perfection of sites like Rikugien, Mukojima-Hyakkaen was designed to resemble a sculpted wild field, prioritizing the seasonal beauty of flowering plants over the rigid geometry of traditional stone-and-pond landscapes.

A Garden of the Literati

The name “Hyakkaen” literally translates to “a garden where a hundred flowers bloom throughout the four seasons.” This poetic title is well-earned; the garden remains one of the few places in Tokyo where the “Seven Autumn Herbs” (Aki no Nanakusa) are showcased in their natural, unforced state. Wandering through the grounds feels less like a formal tour and more like an immersive walk through a classical Japanese poem. Indeed, the garden is dotted with approximately 30 stone monuments inscribed with verses from famous Edo-period poets who once used this space as a creative retreat. While it lacks the dramatic vistas of Kiyosumi Gardens, its charm lies in its intimacy and the way the plant life is allowed to drape and flow over bamboo trellises and narrow paths.

One of the garden’s most celebrated features is the Japanese Clover Tunnel (Hagi), which blooms beautifully in late September. During this time, the garden also hosts the tradition of “Moon Viewing,” where lanterns are hung throughout the grounds and music is played to celebrate the harvest moon. In the late winter and early spring, the plum grove—which was the garden’s very first feature planted by Sahara Kiku—provides a subtle, fragrant “lull” before the more vibrant colors of spring arrive. Donated to the City of Tokyo in 1938, Mukojima-Hyakkaen remains an essential destination for horticulturists and those looking to experience the authentic, unpretentious aesthetic of old Edo’s commoner culture.