FULL GARDENS .com - Famous Botanical Gardens in Japan

Famous Botanical Gardens in Japan [Back]

Japan's rich botanical heritage is showcased through its numerous gardens, which serve as centers for conservation, research, and public enjoyment. These gardens offer visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse array of plant species, reflecting the country's commitment to preserving its natural flora and fostering environmental awareness. Here are some of the most notable botanical gardens in Japan:

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Located in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen is a spacious public garden blending three distinct styles: French Formal, English Landscape, and traditional Japanese. Covering 58.3 hectares, it features over 20,000 trees, including approximately 1,500 cherry trees that attract large crowds during the cherry blossom season. The garden also houses a traditional Japanese tea house and a greenhouse with over 1,700 tropical and subtropical plant species.

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Established in 1924, the Kyoto Botanical Garden is one of Japan's oldest and most renowned botanical gardens. It spans approximately 24 hectares and houses a vast collection of plants, including native Japanese species and exotic plants from around the world. The garden features a notable conservatory, traditional Japanese landscapes, and seasonal flower displays that attract visitors year-round.

Jindai Botanical Garden

Situated in Chofu, Tokyo, Jindai Botanical Garden encompasses 42.5 hectares and is divided into 30 areas, each dedicated to different plant varieties. The garden boasts approximately 100,000 trees and shrubs representing around 4,500 species. Highlights include a rose garden, a large greenhouse housing tropical plants, and seasonal displays of ume (plum), cherry blossoms, azaleas, and wisteria.

Tsukuba Botanical Garden

Located in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, the Tsukuba Botanical Garden is a major research facility operated by the National Museum of Nature and Science. It covers 14 hectares and contains about 5,000 taxa of domestic and exotic plants from temperate and tropical regions worldwide. The garden includes specialized sections such as a Tropical Resource Plants House, a Tropical Rain Forest House, and a Savanna House.

Nikko Botanical Garden

Operated by the University of Tokyo, the Nikko Botanical Garden is situated in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, at an elevation of 647 meters. Established in 1902, it spans 26 acres and contains about 2,200 species, including a significant collection of temperate trees and shrubs, with 22 of the 24 indigenous Japanese Acer (maple) species. The garden also features specialized collections in rockeries, bog gardens, and a fern garden.

Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands

Located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Kanagawa Prefecture, the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands focuses on the conservation and display of wetland plants. Established in 1976, it houses approximately 1,700 plant varieties, including about 200 types of woody and herbaceous wetland plants native to Japan, as well as 1,300 varieties of alpine plants. The garden features collections of Habenaria, Hemerocallis, Iris, Lilium, Lysichitum, and Primula, along with deciduous trees such as Acer, Cornus, and Quercus.