Planning a Trip to Japan: A Guide for Garden Enthusiast
Planning a trip to Japan is an exciting journey, especially if you’re passionate about gardens. Here’s a comprehensive Japan garden travel guide to help you design the perfect itinerary, focusing on the best seasons, destinations, and accommodations for your garden-themed trip.

Best Time to Visit Japan for Garden Lovers
One of the first things to decide is when to go. Japan experiences several peak travel seasons when locals take holidays, making it harder to find accommodations and enjoy sightseeing spots. Avoid these periods:
- ・Golden Week: Late April to early May
- ・Obon: Mid-August
- ・New Year: End of December into early January
- ・Silver Week (in late September)
Outside of these times, the rest of the year is more flexible based on your preferences. Spring and autumn, particularly the Cherry Blossom Season (late March to early April) and autumn foliage (late November in Kansai), are ideal times to visit, but expect crowds. If you prefer fewer tourists, visit during weekdays or early mornings.
Seasonal Considerations for Garden Visits
- ・Winter (January–February): Tokyo and Kyoto occasionally get snow, making gardens look magical, though the grass will often appear yellow. Temperatures rarely drop below 0°C during the day.
- ・Rainy Season (June/July): High humidity and persistent rain may require frequent breaks, but Japanese gardens are stunning even in wet weather. Tourist spots are less crowded, making it a great time to visit.
- ・Summer (July–September): Temperatures soar up to 40°C, so be prepared for intense heat. Mosquitoes are common in gardens, and some garden moss may turn yellow due to drought. Stay hydrated and take regular rests.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations in Japan
Finding the right place to stay is key to your comfort and budget. Here are some accommodation options:
- ・Minshuku and Guesthouses: These traditional inns offer shared facilities but provide a cozy Japanese experience. Some even feature a Sento (public bath).
- ・Ryokan: A more luxurious option, usually offering traditional Japanese meals and baths. Many ryokans are attached to beautiful gardens.
- ・Business Hotels: Basic but comfortable, often with breakfast included. Chains like Super Hotel are popular for budget travelers.
Travel Options in Japan
- ・Japan Railway Pass: A must-have for exploring the country, allowing unlimited travel on JR trains. Combine this with local bus passes, like day-passes, for a seamless garden tour.
- ・Night Buses: If you prefer not to rely solely on JR services, night buses are an excellent low-budget option for traveling between cities.
- ・Seishun 18 Kippu: Another affordable option is the Seishun 18 Kippu, which allows unlimited travel on local and rapid trains. However, this pass is only available during specific seasons, so plan accordingly.
- ・Flights: Flying between big cities in Japan is often affordable.

Including Gardens in Your Japan Travel Plan
Once you’ve sorted the basics, it’s time to focus on the main attraction: gardens in Japan. Whether you have a bucket list ready or need inspiration, our Garden Finder can help you decide which gardens to visit. You can search by area, style, or historical period.
We classify gardens into two main categories:
- ・Calming Gardens: Ideal for contemplation and relaxation.
- ・Exciting Gardens: Perfect for a more dynamic experience, where you can stroll and explore.
Each garden listing provides detailed information such as its history, opening hours, admission fees, and address. Our database features over 100 gardens across Japan.
Must-Visit Garden Routes in Japan
The largest concentration of gardens is found in and around Tokyo and Kyoto, but don’t overlook more remote spots. For a well-rounded garden tour, I recommend starting in Tokyo, visiting Kanazawa, continuing to Kyoto, then heading further to Okayama, with a possible detour to Shimane Prefecture.
Along this route, you’ll encounter not just beautiful gardens but also fascinating historical sites:
- ・Kanazawa: Explore traditional Edo-period streets and visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s top gardens. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa Village is nearby.
- ・Kobe: Famous for its scenic harbor and charming old European village.
- ・Himeji: Home to Japan’s most iconic castle.
- ・Okayama: Visit Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, and take a short trip to Ritsurin Garden on Shikoku Island.
- ・Shimane: Don’t miss the renowned Adachi Museum of Art and its beautiful gardens, along with nearby coastal attractions and a possible visit to Hiroshima.

Exploring Garden Areas Around Tokyo, Kamakura, and Kyoto
Tokyo, Kamakura, and Kyoto are popular destinations for garden lovers, and it’s impossible to visit all the gardens in these areas in one day. Prioritize based on your preferences:
- ・Do you prefer wide, open gardens or more enclosed ones?
- ・Are you drawn to Dry Landscape Gardens, or is temple architecture more interesting to you?
If you’re in Kamakura, you’ll likely want to visit the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), so make sure to allocate time for that. Since Tokyo’s gardens are larger and often far apart, it’s reasonable to visit only two gardens a day. If you choose gardens that are close to each other, such as Hamarikyu and Kyu-Shibarikyu, or Kyu-Furukawa Garden and Rikugien, it may be possible to visit a third as well.
In Kamakura, where the gardens and temples are more compact, it’s feasible to visit 4–5 temples in a single day if you keep a strict schedule.
How Many Gardens to Visit in Kyoto?
Kyoto offers an abundance of gardens, making it challenging to decide how many to visit in a single day. During my last trip, we tried to visit as many gardens as possible, but it left little time to relax. Ideally, limit your daily visits to 4 gardens for a more enjoyable experience. Prepare a list of optional gardens if you feel like visiting more.
I also recommend mixing garden visits with other attractions, like museums, to avoid garden fatigue. It’s easy to lose track of the details after seeing too many gardens in one day, so taking breaks between garden visits helps keep each experience special.
Tips for Planning Your Garden Tour
When finalizing your garden tour, plan routes that allow you to visit gardens or temples located in the same area. Use our interactive map, which includes all the gardens listed on our website, complete with links to more detailed information. For estimating travel times, Google Maps is a reliable tool, and I often use the “My Maps” feature to plot routes, including walking paths and public transport options.
Most gardens in Japan open at 9 am and close by 4:30 pm, so be mindful of opening hours when planning your day. Don’t forget to schedule time for lunch and coffee breaks – exploring Japan’s beautiful gardens can be more exhausting than you might expect!
IN SHORT
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- ・Pace Yourself: Limit yourself to visiting 2-4 gardens a day to ensure you have time to relax and absorb the beauty.
- ・Use Maps: Tools like Google Maps’ “My Maps” feature allow you to plot out walking routes and transportation options between gardens. Many gardens close at 4:30 pm, so plan accordingly.
- ・Mix It Up: While gardens are breathtaking, consider taking breaks with visits to local museums, temples, or cafes to avoid sensory overload.