Rikugi Garden
六義園 · 혼코마고메
park in Tokyo, Japan
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Rikugien Garden2:35
Welcome to Rikugien, an exquisite specimen of the daimyo garden style that has withstood the shifting tides of Japanese history for over three centuries. As we stand here at the threshold of this verdant sanctuary, it is…
Listen in the app2The Gate of Antiquity and the Sanzon Iwagumi2:28
As we move past the entrance, your eyes may be drawn to a peculiar and artful arrangement of stones nestled within a cluster of wild vegetation. This is the Sanzon Iwagumi, a fundamental element of Japanese garden semiotics. …
Listen in the app3The Central Pond: A Mirror of Poetic Allusions2:10
We now arrive at the true heart of Rikugien: the expansive central pond. This body of water is not merely a decorative feature but the central axis around which the entire garden's narrative revolves. …
Listen in the app4Horai Island and the Sleeping Dragon Stone1:54
Positioned prominently within the central pond is Horai-jima, or Horai Island. In East Asian mythology, Horai is the legendary land of the immortals, a place of eternal youth and wisdom. …
Listen in the app5Fukiyage-no-chaya: The Intersection of Tea and Scenery1:55
As we continue our stroll along the southern edge of the pond, we encounter the Fukiyage-no-chaya, a traditional tea house that serves as a vital point of rest and cultural engagement. The term Fukiyage refers to the sea breeze…
Listen in the app6Tsutsuji-no-jaya: The Azalea Architecture1:56
Moving toward the more wooded and elevated section of the garden, we come upon a truly remarkable structure: the Tsutsuji-no-jaya, or the Azalea Tea House. This building is a rare survivor, originally constructed by the Iwasaki…
Listen in the app7Fujishiro-toge: The Azalea Hill and the Panoramic Vista1:49
We now ascend the Fujishiro-toge, the highest point in Rikugien. This hill is a man-made construction, a feat of Edo-period earth-moving that provides a panoramic view of the entire landscape. …
Listen in the app8The Shady Path and the Kusunoki Giant1:56
Descending from the hill, we enter a part of Rikugien that many visitors overlook: the shady, forested back paths. This area offers a starkly different sensory experience than the open pond views. …
Listen in the app9The Hydrangea Sanctuary and the Path to the Exit1:54
As we begin our final loop toward the exit, we pass through an area dedicated to the Ajisai, or hydrangea. These flowers are a staple of the Japanese rainy season in June, and Rikugien boasts an impressive variety. …
Listen in the app10Closing1:54
As we conclude our tour of Rikugien, let us reflect on what we have witnessed. This garden is more than a scenic park; it is a profound cultural artifact that bridges the gap between the literary elegance of the Edo period and…
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What is Rikugi Garden?
Rikugi Garden is a place in 혼코마고메 with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 혼코마고메 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Total length | 20 min 31 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.7331, 139.7467 |
| Last updated |