Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: A Stunning Combination of Western and Eastern Aesthetics

by Patrick McCoy

If you travel north on Hongo-dori after visiting the enchanting Rikugien Gardens you will encounter another of the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association’s delightful gardens, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. This was originally the residence of Meiji era statesman, Mutsu Munemitsu, but when his second son was adopted into the Furukawa family the property changed hands. The original buildings on the property no longer exist, and the current Western-style residence and garden were designed by the famous Meiji era British architect Josiah Condor. The main residence now serves as the Otani Art Museum. The designer of the impressive Japanese-style gardens was Kyoto native Ogawa Jihei, also known as Niwashi-Ueji.

The Western-style residence is known for the dazzling rose gardens that are in full bloom in the spring and fall.

The groundskeepers are busy maintaining the beautiful gardens throughout the year.

The terraced garden in full bloom is a popular spot for nature and photography enthusiasts alike.

Some of the beautiful roses in full-fall bloom.

An open space between the Western-style garden and Japanese-style garden.

The Shinji-ike pond was designed in the shape of the Japanese character for “heart.” This is one of the best viewing points, “funatsuki-ishi” (boat-landing stone).

Here one can see the snow-viewing stone lantern at the rear of the pond with a modern apartment building looming in the background.

The rear of the pond has the “Cha-shitsu” (teahouse) ensconced in the woody area of the gardens.

Fall or spring is the ideal time to visit Komagome to take in the Western and Eastern flavored delights of the garden. It can be combined with the nearby and equally impressive Rikugien Gardens for a full day of garden strolling in these Meiji era masterpieces.

Access

JR Keihin-tohoku Line, Kami-Nakasato Station (7 minutes on foot)
Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Nishigahara Sta. (7 minutes on foot)
JR Yamanote Line, Komagome Sta. (15 minutes on foot) *No parking available

Information

Hours: Open from 9:00 to 17:00 (Entry until 16:30) Closed: Year-end holidays (December 29 to January 1)

Entrance fee: ¥150 (Persons 65 and over: ¥70) (No charge for primary school children or younger, and junior high school students living or attending school in Tokyo)*20% discount for groups of 20 persons or more.

Related facilities: Western-style residence and Japanese tea ceremony room (Managed by the Otani Art Museum, Tel: 03-3910-8440)

*To view the Western-style residence interior, you must apply in advance in writing, using a send/reply postcard.

Patrick McCoy is American writer based in Tokyo who has been published in The Japan Times, The Daily Mainichi, The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo Classified and Eye-Ai Magazine.

See also: 34 Japanese Garden Ideas

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