AUTUMN ILLUMINATION AT RIKUGIEN GARDEN

Why AUTUMN ILLUMINATION AT RIKUGIEN GARDEN is special ?

Rikugien Gardens is one of the most known daimyo teien (garden of feudal lord) from the Edo Period, built by Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa who was the favorite retainer of the fifth Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi. Designed to reflect famous scenes from waka poems, this ""Tsukiyama-Sensui"" style stroll garden has also been designated as a national scenic beauty since 1953. The gardens are known as one of the best spots for fall foliage viewing. The annual illumination event during the season invites many people who enjoy the beautiful collaboration between the flame of autumn leaves and the illumination throughout this beautiful example of Edo gardens. Be advised that some parts of the gardens may be closed after 17:00 due to security reasons.

Source: http://www.gotokyo.org/

What to explore at AUTUMN ILLUMINATION AT RIKUGIEN GARDEN?

If you have a little more time than that to spare, you may want to try the matcha (green tea) and wagashi (Japanese sweets) set for 510 yen at one of the garden’s tea houses. The tea houses, souvenir shops and food stalls around the park also have extended hours during autumn, so you can snack on dango (sweet dumplings) or have a beer while taking in the vivid colors of the star-like momiji leaves.

In addition to the longer hours, the real highlight of Rikugien in this period is the stunning lighting around the garden. Four spots around the garden are designated as special “light-up areas” where the view is especially beautiful.

These specially lit areas include a dramatically illuminated bamboo grove, the 300-year-old pine called Fukiage-no-matsu surrounded by fishing lanterns and the islands in Deshio-no-minato pond lit so that they reflect on the pond’s surface.

The fourth display is the most dream-like: whitish lights illuminate the trees while a mist rolls through the blue LED lights along the ground. This area, called Suikōnoe, used to be a lotus pond where, during lotus season, even the water was said to smell heavenly. The pond is now gone, but the blue mist is a reminder of its past beauty.

The lights and extended hours are only for a short period, so the garden may be crowded at times. If you arrive at Rikugien before 4:30 p.m., you’ll be able to explore the parts of the garden open only during the day and will be around for the light-up from sunset.

Rikugien’s breathtaking fall colors may be ephemeral, but the memory of a visit is guaranteed not to be.

Source: http://blog.gaijinpot.com/

How to get to AUTUMN ILLUMINATION AT RIKUGIEN GARDEN?

Rikugien is very easy to get to. Use the Yamanote line to get to JR Komagome Station and leave via the South exit. Rikugien is about a ten minute walk away. On the way to there you`ll walk past one of the old gates that are no longer used, so walk to the next corner, turn right and you`ll see the entrance to the gardens.