Shinjuku Gyoen is a serene sanctuary in the middle of a bustling urban city. The park is a favorite place for people to rest, play, and relax after a busy week. With its huge open green space; forest-like corners; and beautiful landscapes, a day visit is not enough to see its full glory.
Shinjuku Gyoen: A Sanctuary at the Heart of Busy City Center
I have been to the park several times on different seasons. However each time I visit, it seems to be a new exciting place for me. It tends to be a bit crowded on weekends with foreigners and locals having picnics, tree bathing, or enjoying the open green space.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the park on a Tuesday. Although there were a lot of children having a day tour, the park is relatively quiet and serene. Very different from its usual lively and dynamic weekend scene.
During this time, hydrangeas adorn the park. Their delicate colors float effortlessly against the different shades of green.
Walking around the garden with less crowd gave me a good perspective of the outside cityscape. The towering buildings of Shinjuku provide a magnificent background for the park"s green landscape.
Exploring the Botanical Garden
Another exciting part of this visit is the chance to see the botanical garden. As I have earlier mentioned, I have been to Shinjuku Gyoen several times. However, I always missed my chance to go inside its botanical garden. Similar to other glass gardens in Tokyo, inside are different tropical plants carefully being nurtured whole year round. The botanical garden has a good collection of orchids and cacti from different parts of the world.
What stroke me most is the special exhibition of Japanese flora that are considered endangered or nearly extinct in the wild. It is quite alarming to know that these plants which most of us think are ordinary might not be available in the near future.
