Tokyo Metropolitan Jindai Botanical Park

In a city with many elegant parks and gardens, the Jindai Botanical Park is unique in its scope and focus. The site, located in suburban Chofu, was once part of a medieval fortress dating back to 1537. After that was destroyed the area became a tree farm and then was later turned into the city's first botanical garden.

The park is split into thirty areas, each featuring varietals of one kind of plant. With 100,000 trees and plants in 45,000 varieties, something is in bloom every single month of the year. Some of the most popular gardens include the colorful azaleas, dogwoods, peonies, roses and of course, the cherry blossoms. There is also a wetlands annex for aquatic plants including water lilies, irises and lotuses.

Practical Info

Open Tues-Sun 9:30-4 pm (gates close at 5 pm). Closed Mondays (following day if Monday is a holiday) and New Year’s (December 29 to January 1). Admission is free on Greenery Day (May 4) and Tokyo Citizens Day (October 1). General admission is 500 yen, Jr. high school students 200 yen, seniors 65 and older 250 yen. Primary school and younger children  or junior high school students living or studying in Tokyo are free. Accessible via bus via Keio or JR lines. Toll parking facilities available.