Kiyosumi Gardens 清澄庭園

Stone-hopping, bird watching and flower viewing

Kiyosumi Gardens is a fine example of a Japanese strolling-style landscape garden, home to several bird species, fish and turtles, as well as Japanese black pines and seasonal flowers, centered around a large pond. The garden is 10 minutes from Tokyo Station and 25 minutes from Shinjuku Nishiguchi Station on the Hanzomon and Oedo Lines. The nearest station to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is just minutes away on foot.

The most famous aspect of the garden, completed during the Meiji era (1868-1912), are the many valuable landscape stones placed throughout the grounds, some of them acquired from across Japan. Hovering over the pond is a ryotei, a gathering place, which resembles a teahouse and adds to the traditional feel of the garden.

A short walk from Kiyosumi Gardens is the Fukagawa Edo Museum, worth stopping by while you're in the area.