Keio Mogusaen 京王百草園 Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Beautiful Views of Central Tokyo During Plum Blossom And Sakura Seasons

Keio Mogusaen is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with especially beautiful cherry blossoms in the springtime with traditional Japanese buildings and a pond.

Information about Keio Mogusaen

Address:

560 Mogusa, Hino-shi
Contact:

042-591-3478
Open hours:

9am – 5pm (Nov. – Dec. 9am – 4:30pm)
Closed:

Wednesdays (the following weekday if it falls on a public/substitute holiday), Dec. 30 – Jan. 3 *Open during special event periods.
Entrance fee:

Adults ¥300, children ¥100 (Discounts available for groups of 25 or more and disabled visitors have a discounted price: adults ¥240, children ¥80)

Flower Calendar for Keio Mogusaen

Jan. : Winter sweet, Japanese narcissus
Feb. : Different varieties of Japanese apricot, Witch hazel, Amur adonis, Camellia
Mar. : Different varieties of Japanese apricot, Japanese cornel, Flowering quince, Japanese Andromeda
Apr. : Dogtooth violet, Rhododendron dilatatum, Azalea, Japanese primrose
May : Japanese wisteria shrub, Mountain peony, Chinese peony, Satsuki azalea
Jun. : Different varieties of Hydrangea
Sep. – Red spider lily
Nov. – Different varieties of autumn leaves
Dec. – Sasanqua

Table of Contents

1. Background and History of Keio Mogusaen
2. Features and Sights to See
2.1 View
2.2 Thatch roof and the Tea House
2.3 Rich natural environment

Background and History of Keio Mogusaen

During the Kyoho period, Jushion Jigaku Genchoni, the wife of Okubo Lord Odawara, had a replication of the Shorenji temple built on these grounds as a display of mourning for Tokugawa Ieyasu’s eldest son, Nobuyasu. The property grew through the ages into what is now the Keio Mogusaen. In autumn, you can see beautiful maple leaves; during plum season, five hundred trees of fifty varieties race to show their blossoms, making for stunning garden scenery. Many tourists and guests enjoy the annual festivals: the Plum festival in early February and mid-March, the Mogusaenring Spring festival from late April to early May, and the Fall Foliage festival in November.

Features and Sights to See at Keio Mogusaen

View

Keio Mogusaen stretches east to west along Tamakyuryo Hill and its Lookout Point is located 143 meters above sea level. During February and March, the thatch roofed Shoren-an is surrounded by plum flowers. On sunny days, the hill provides a view of skyscrapers such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Governement buildings in Shinjuku and the Tokyo Skytree®.

Thatch roof and the Tea House

The thatched roofed Shoren-an is surrounded by peaceful scenery including the Shinji-Ike pond (a pond in the shape of the Japanese character for “heart”). Plum trees, and Japanese wisteria shrubs have been planted in the area and an authentic tea house named the Sanreki-an also stands nearby. Gatherings such as tea ceremonies are held during events at Keio Mogusaen.

Rich natural environment

The surrounding environment is blessed with beautiful nature. Owls, Japanese raccoons, and badgers live in the garden. Almost half of the entire of Keio Mogusaen is comprised of wooded area, which plays a part in preserving the natural environment.

About the Author

Pjechorin

I have lived and worked with my family in Japan since 2005. For many years I have been interested in the very practical and creative side of Japanese culture. In my free time I travel around, enjoy hiking in the countryside and cities, and just generally seeing and doing new things. This blog is primarily a way for me to focus my energies and record and teach others about what I have learned by experience constructively. I am interested in urban development, and sustainable micro-economics, especially home-economics, and practical things everyday families can do to survive and thrive through these changing times.