Koishikawa Korakuen: A photo guide

Koishikawa Korakuen vermillion bridge
The Vermillion bridge (Tsuten-Kyo).

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is another Tokyo photo spot I adore. This park has a little of everything – a beautiful pond, history, bridges, flowers, and even a temple. Even Tokyo birdwatchers love it. Some might say it is perfect. Well, if it’s not, it is close.

Let’s start with the centerpiece, the pond. Most Edo-period parks in Tokyo have one. The name of this one is Daisensui. Fantastic paths wend and wind around it. With each turn, you get a different perspective. Places like this rarely have a straight line. They keep your eyes busy.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens Daisensui Pond
People enjoying Daisensui Pond.

You’ll see much as you walk through the grounds. There are replicas of famous historical landmarks in Japan and China. The builders made miniature copies of mountains and rivers. They even built a temple from a Chinese classical text. Koishikawa Korakuen has many surprises.

iris flower field and Japanese hut
The iris field in early summer.

It’s a park of seasons. Each one has something worth photographing. Throughout the year, you will find its beautiful flowers and trees.

So yes, it gets very high marks.  A perfect 10?  I don’t know about that, but it comes very close.  You’ll have to be the final judge.

Tokujin-do temple
Tokujin-do temple.

A Brief History of  the Park

Yorifusa Mito began building Koishikawa Kōrakuen in 1629, but it was up to his son Yorifusa to complete it. For the last phase of the work, he employed the Chinese scholar Shu Shunsui as his advisor.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens plum blossom flower
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is famour for plum blossoms.

There is another park with the same name in Okayama prefecture. In both cases, the name came from a poem. It was a poem that encouraged rulers to look after their subjects first and then themselves.

Photography at Koishikawa Korakuen

I don’t know where to start! There is so much. You would need many hours to shoot everything. On top of the list are two amazing bridges. Let’s look at these things in more detail:

  • The vermillion-colored, Tsuten-Kyo is hard to miss. It stretches across a small ravine deep in trees. In autumn, it is gorgeous.  Sometimes it can be hard to photograph because its shadows are so deep. 
  • Engetsu-Kyo (or Full Moon Bridge) is the original, not a replica. It is of the stone drum type that goes over a small stream. The arch joins with its reflection in the water to form a circle, like the moon. 
  • Some historic buildings are in the park.  Many have been rebuilt or are the remains (usually a few blocks). The most interesting one is Tokujin-do (a temple). Unfortunately, it is closed.
  • And I love the miniature replicas of famous places from different parts of Japan. My favorite is “Atagozaka” (“Slopes of Mt. Atago”), built in imitation of the mountain near Kyoto. Underneath is a rice field. For an urban park, the scenery is very picturesque. 
  • The other interesting one is next to the park, not in it. It is Tokyo Dome, and you can see its top peak over the trees of Koishikawa! It can make for lovely pictures. Photograph it from the Naitei, the inner garden with a lily-filled pond! Do that, and you’ll get the dome behind the trees reflecting in the water.
  • For those with very long lenses, the island in the middle of the main pond is unique. It is home to some kingfishers. Most weekends will see birders with their cameras trying to photograph it. On the island itself is a little shrine to the god Benzaiten.
  • Many flowers. It is famous for plum blossoms (2023 photos here) and cherry blossoms. There are also hydrangeas, Japanese irises, autumn leaves, and even a rice field!
Full Moon Bridge
Full Moon Bridge.

Other photo spots in the area

When is the best time to go?

Every season at Koishikawa Korakuen is excellent. It’s one of the rare places where I enjoy summer. Early in that season, it has a huge iris field. That is something I try to photograph every year.

Of course, spring is good too, with plum and cherry blossoms. And don’t forget autumn with its marvelous leaves. Which one would you choose? You have so many choices.

Where are Kyu-Furukawa Gardens?

Address: 1-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Here it is on a Google map:

Closest JR train stations:

JR Iidabashi and Suidobashi. Both are served by the Chuo-Sobu Lines.

Closest Metro (subway) stations:

  • Iidabshi (same as the above JR station) – served by the Tokyo Metro Tōzai, Yūrakuchō, and Namboku lines. The Toei Ōedo line goes there. Exit C3 is closest to the park.
  • Korakuen – served by the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Namboku lines.

Opening hours

  • 9 AM to 5 PM
  • It is closed from December 29 to January 1.

Admission costs

¥300.

Conclusion

Did I miss anything? I hope not, but Koishikawa Korakuen is a huge place. It has so much for photographers. Anyway, I’m sure I covered most of it. If you had to choose one park to visit in Tokyo, you couldn’t go wrong with this one. It has something for everyone and every season. Leave questions and comments below.

External related websites:

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