Kyu-Furukawa Teien（旧古河庭園）
A Harmonious Blend of Western Elegance and Japanese Serenity
Kyū-Furukawa Teien is a historic garden in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, celebrated for its rare blend of Western architecture and a traditional Japanese landscape. The estate dates back to 1917, when Baron Toranosuke Furukawa, a powerful industrialist, commissioned its construction.
Josiah Conder, a British architect who profoundly influenced modern Japanese architecture, created the Western-style villa. He blended European aesthetics with subtle Japanese features—most notably the tatami rooms on the second floor. Although the structure reflects European tastes, it still maintains harmony with the surrounding garden.
Meanwhile, in front of the mansion, a French-style rose garden stretches across the grounds. Its symmetrical layout and wide gravel paths contrast strikingly with the wooded backdrop. The roses bloom twice a year—from late April to mid-May, and again from mid-October to late November. During these seasons, the garden hosts rose festivals that attract large numbers of visitors.
Behind the villa, the estate transforms into a serene Japanese garden. Renowned Kyoto gardener Ogawa Jihei VII designed this section with deep attention to traditional principles. At the centre lies a Shinji-ike (心字池)—a pond shaped like the kanji character for “heart.” Nearby, visitors can admire carefully placed stones, a dry waterfall, and a small teahouse.
Throughout the year, the garden reveals different faces. While spring brings colourful azaleas and the first roses, autumn highlights brilliant maple foliage—especially from mid-November to early December. The changing seasons continually enhance the garden’s beauty and character.
Since 1956, Kyū-Furukawa Teien has welcomed the public as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Parks system. In 1982, it gained recognition as a Place of Scenic Beauty. Today, this garden continues to offer a peaceful retreat for architecture lovers, plant enthusiasts, and anyone looking to step away from the urban rush.
Read more in our eBook!
Kyū-Furukawa Teien Garden Guide
This eBook introduces Kyū-Furukawa Teien, a historic estate in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, showcasing a Western-style mansion by Josiah Conder and a traditional Japanese garden by Ogawa Jihei.
Perfect for enthusiasts of architectural fusion and serene landscapes.
Learn more before your visit—or revisit from home.
Read more in our Blog:
Gallery
Directions
How to get to the garden
The garden is 15 minutes by foot from the Komagome station (駒込駅, JR Yamanote line, Nanboku subway line). From the station, walk in northern direction.
Another option is to take the Keihin-Tohoku line to Kami-Nakazato (上中里) and walk towards the south.
Address
- EN: 1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
- JP: 東京都北区西ヶ原 1-27-39
Opening times
- 9:00 – 17:00 (last entry at 4:30pm)
Closed around New Year between December 29th and January 3st.
Admission fee
- Adults: 150 yen
- Free for Elementary School Students and younger
- Free for Junior High School Students who live in Tokyo
Facilities & Accessibility
- The garden is not completely barrier free. A safe route is the upper garden in front of the house only.
- The house is not barrier free.
- There is a small shop open during main season in spring and autumn.
- The tea house in the garden is open during spring and autumn rose season.
- Cafe inside the residence.)
- Special fees apply for visiting the residence.
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- Residence visiting fee: 400 yen (from July 1st 2025 it will cost 500 yen) 1st floor (basement floor) only.
- Cafe in the residence is free to visit. (Apr. 29 - Jul. 3: 11am - 16pm, Jul. 4 ~: 12pm - 16pm)
- Guided tour including the 2nd floor: 800 yen (no tours in summer) Application in Japanese only.
- Tea house in the garden: 11am - 16pm
- Matcha tea and a sweet in the garden: 700 yen Please check the
- for open days of the residence. Yellow fields mark open days. Red dots mark days with guided tours. Green squares mark days where the cafe (and in rose season the garden tea house) is open.
Best time to visit
- Roses flowering season: Mid May to End of June, Mid October - End of November
- End of November - Beginning of December for autumn foliage.
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