Jindai Botanical Gardens

The rose garden at Jindai Botanical Park, which has won the "World Federation of Rose Societies Award for Garden Excellence," is a must-see. The roses are in full bloom twice a year, in spring and autumn, with about 400 species and 5,200 plants in the spring and about 300 varieties and 5,000 plants in the autumn, creating a graceful landscape. There are three areas where you can see roses: the "Main Garden," which is symmetrically arranged like a European garden, the "Wild Species and Old Rose Garden," which is modeled after the rose garden at Tokyo Metropolitan High School of Agriculture and Forestry, and the "International Rose Competition Flower Bed," where roses are cultivated for competition prototypes. Since you will be walking over a wide area, it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes. Every year, a Rose Festival is held to coincide with the peak season in spring and autumn. There are plenty of events, such as early morning opening when the scent of roses is strong, concerts surrounded by the scent of roses, and the sale of rose-flavored soft serve ice cream at the cafe terrace.

The large greenhouse is a place where you can admire approximately 1,300 varieties of plants. It is divided into rooms such as the tropical flower room, the tropical water lily room, and the begonia room. In addition, there is a corner featuring Chilean plants that was established in partnership with the "Viña del Mar Botanical Garden" in Chile, and a plant exhibition of the Ogasawara Islands, a world natural heritage site located on an island in Tokyo. You can encounter a diverse range of rare plants. As it is indoors, it is safe even on rainy days.

The large azalea colony spreading around the pond near the main gate is one of the symbols of the park. From early March to early May, about 12,000 plants of 275 varieties bloom together. There are various colors, such as the Mitsuba azalea with purple petals that stands out even from afar, the Kure-no-yuki with small, pure white double-petaled flowers, and the Ooyama azalea that grows naturally in the mountains of Kanto and shows off large pink flowers. The scene reflected in the pond is also magnificent, and you can enjoy a unique and large-scale azalea colony.

The Jindai Botanical Gardens, also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. In the "Sakura Garden" area, there are more than 10 types of cherry blossoms, including rare varieties such as winter cherry blossoms that bloom from October to mid-April, in addition to the best viewing period from early March to late April. In areas other than the Sakura Garden, there are also about 600 Satoyama cherry trees planted throughout the park, which are quite impressive. Even the Somei Yoshino cherry trees near the entrance to the rose garden bloom beautifully, so during the cherry blossom viewing season, you can enjoy viewing many cherry blossoms just by strolling around the park.

The "Plant Diversity Center" is a sub-park of the Jindai Botanical Garden. It's located just a short walk from the main entrance and admission is free. In the three areas of the Okutama Zone, Musashino Zone, and Izu Islands Zone, you can observe wild plants in environments that reproduce various areas. The Okutama Zone allows you to observe plants unique to the limestone ground that has risen to the surface due to uplift, while the Musashino Zone has maintained a balanced ecosystem with human life, including satoyama with hillsides. Exhibits specializing in the natural environment of Tokyo are abundant. The center also plays a role in protecting and nurturing endangered plants in Tokyo. For those who want to learn more about living organisms, there are information displays, course programs, and guided tours available.

The aquatic plant garden is a branch of the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and is an area where you can enjoy free admission. A boardwalk passes over the wetlands, where streams and ponds have been created by the flowing spring water, making it feel like you're hiking in the highlands. June is the best time to see the irises in full bloom, but the fresh greenery and autumn leaves are also recommended. On the same premises is the "Fudaiji Castle Ruins," a nationally designated historic site that you can freely visit. The entire area can be explored in about 30 minutes, so why not stop by while visiting the main Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or the nearby Fudaiji Temple for sightseeing?