A few weeks ago, I tried to go to the Fukagawa Edo Museum, an interesting-looking facility that recreates an old Tokyo neighborhood. Unfortunately, when I got there, I found out it’s closed until the end of July 2010. I was a little disappointed, and wondering what to do, but during my time in Japan, I’ve noticed that the little things you find along the way to a more well-known destination or the places you stumble across by accident can be just as, or more interesting and memorable than the place you set out to find. I decided to have a little walk around, and came across the delightful Kiyosumi Teien.
I’ve been to most of the strolling gardens in Tokyo but Kiyosumi is definitely my favorite. It’s more open and scenic others I’ve been to, and just seems better kept up and with fewer ugly distractions like signs and fences than others I’ve been to.
There’s a great description and video of it on Mustlovejapan.com
http://www.mustlovejapan.com/subject/kiyosumi_garden/
Click here for a cool infrared photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeschylus18917/3625062448/
Here’s the official site: http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/kiyosumi/index.html
| Location | 3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0024 |
| Access | Toei O-edo Line and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Kiyosumi-shirakawa Sta. (3 minutes on foot) Toei Bus Line: JR Kameido Sta., North Exit, #7 Bus Stop (Line #33) Take the Toyoumi-suisan-futo bus; get off at “Kiyosumiteien-mae” (3 minutes on foot). *No parking available |
| Inquiry | Kiyosumi Garden Office Tel: 03-3641-5892 |
