YOUR JAPAN TRAVEL NOTEBOOK

Tokyo gardens in two days: Shinjuku, Yoyogi and Ueno

Four green spaces and a historic house, arranged into western and eastern Tokyo days with time for lunch and seasonal walks.

2 days4 places

Explore this itinerary

Tabipita editorial team
Updated 2026-10-22

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden環境省新宿御苑

Photo: Basile Morin· Taken on 16 June 2019, 08:28:06 · CC BY-SA 4.0Credits & license

Photographed Taken on 16 June 2019, 08:28:06 · Checked 2026-10-22

Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a card crop. This adaptation uses the same share-alike license.

Original on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

YOUR DAYS, AT A GLANCE

Explore the route

A suggested starting point, with room for meals and breaks. Stay lengths are editorial estimates; check opening times and bookings before visiting.

Follow the neighbourhoods

Lines show the suggested stop order, not walking or transit directions. Open a place in Google Maps to plan your actual journey.

Shinjuku Gyoen and Yoyogi Park2 stops

Before you go

Official references are dated below. Route choices, walking allowances and meal plans are our suggestions, not live directions. Recheck notices for your travel date.

Start here · station & exit

Start at Shinjuku-gyoenmae on the Marunouchi Line; the official guide gives Exit 1 and about five minutes on foot to the garden.

GO TOKYO: Shinjuku GyoenChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Yoyogi ParkChecked 2026-10-22

Getting between stops

Allow 35–50 minutes between the garden and Yoyogi Park, using rail and walking according to your chosen exit gate.

Our planning suggestionOur transfer allowances include walking and waiting; confirm the actual connection on the day.

GO TOKYO: Shinjuku GyoenChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Yoyogi ParkChecked 2026-10-22

Entry, hours & reservations

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: General adult admission ¥500. Seasonal hours and Monday/holiday closures apply; last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Yoyogi Park: The main park walk is free; events and individual facilities can have separate arrangements.

GO TOKYO: Shinjuku GyoenChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Yoyogi ParkChecked 2026-10-22

Food & rest breaks

Meal stops below are editorial suggestions rather than verified restaurant reservations.

Our planning suggestionEat between the two parks around the station areas, with an hour for a seated break. Follow each park’s rules on where food is allowed.

GO TOKYO: Shinjuku GyoenChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Yoyogi ParkChecked 2026-10-22

If it rains

Shorten outdoor walking and move the paid garden to a better day if rain is persistent. This day has no substantial indoor attraction.

GO TOKYO: Shinjuku GyoenChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Yoyogi ParkChecked 2026-10-22

Photo: Basile Morin· Taken on 16 June 2019, 08:28:06 · CC BY-SA 4.0Credits & license
Photographed Taken on 16 June 2019, 08:28:06 · Checked 2026-10-22
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a card crop. This adaptation uses the same share-alike license.
Original on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
STOP 1
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
環境省新宿御苑
Use one entrance and a manageable garden loop; leave time to walk back to the gate before last admission becomes relevant for a companion joining you.
Suggested visit: about 100 min
Open in Google Maps ↗
Photo: Syced· 2 April 2021 (according to Exif data) · CC0Credits & license
Photographed 2 April 2021 (according to Exif data) · Checked 2026-10-22
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a card crop.
Original on Wikimedia Commons CC0
STOP 2
Yoyogi Park
代々木公園
Make this a relaxed outdoor walk rather than another timed attraction. The park is a separate destination from nearby shrine grounds.
Suggested visit: about 75 min
Open in Google Maps ↗

Ueno Park and Kyu-Iwasaki-tei2 stops

Before you go

Official references are dated below. Route choices, walking allowances and meal plans are our suggestions, not live directions. Recheck notices for your travel date.

Start here · station & exit

Start at JR Ueno Park Exit for the park. If reversing the day, Kyu-Iwasaki-tei is about three minutes from Yushima Station on the Chiyoda Line.

GO TOKYO: UenoChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Kyu-Iwasaki-teiChecked 2026-10-22

Getting between stops

Allow 25–40 minutes from the main park area towards Kyu-Iwasaki-tei, depending on your loop and pauses. Reach the house before its 16:30 last entry.

Our planning suggestionOur transfer allowances include walking and waiting; confirm the actual connection on the day.

GO TOKYO: UenoChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Kyu-Iwasaki-teiChecked 2026-10-22

Entry, hours & reservations

Ueno Park: The park walk is separate from paid museums, temples and the zoo. Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens: General admission ¥400; 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, with New Year closures.

GO TOKYO: UenoChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Kyu-Iwasaki-teiChecked 2026-10-22

Food & rest breaks

Meal stops below are editorial suggestions rather than verified restaurant reservations.

Our planning suggestionHave lunch around Ueno before continuing south towards the house; leave bags light for indoor visiting rules.

GO TOKYO: UenoChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Kyu-Iwasaki-teiChecked 2026-10-22

If it rains

Prioritise the residence’s indoor rooms when open and shorten the park, while allowing for exposed paths between the buildings.

GO TOKYO: UenoChecked 2026-10-22
GO TOKYO: Kyu-Iwasaki-teiChecked 2026-10-22

Photo: The original uploader was Sdalu at English Wikipedia.· 30 April 2004 (original upload date) · CC BY-SA 3.0Credits & license
Photographed 30 April 2004 (original upload date) · Checked 2026-10-22
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a card crop. This adaptation uses the same share-alike license.
Original on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
STOP 1
Ueno Park
上野恩賜公園
Choose a short park loop after the galleries or before the house visit. Cherry blossom photographs show one season, not year-round conditions.
Suggested visit: about 60 min
Open in Google Maps ↗
Photo: Wiiii· 2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0Credits & license
Photographed 2010 · Checked 2026-10-22
Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with a card crop. This adaptation uses the same share-alike license.
Original on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
STOP 2
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
旧岩崎邸庭園
Look at the historic residence as well as the grounds. Check indoor photography and footwear instructions at entry.
Suggested visit: about 75 min
Open in Google Maps ↗

Is this route for you?

Four green spaces and a historic house, arranged into western and eastern Tokyo days with time for lunch and seasonal walks. Stop lengths and transfer buffers are our planning estimates, not official journey times. The map shows places rather than turn-by-turn directions; check live transport and the linked opening calendars before setting out.

Day 1: Shinjuku Gyoen and Yoyogi Park

Begin with a paid landscaped garden, then use Yoyogi for a freer afternoon walk. This route is about slowing down; do not promise yourself blossoms, autumn colour or a specific flower display outside its actual season.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Use one entrance and a manageable garden loop; leave time to walk back to the gate before last admission becomes relevant for a companion joining you.

Yoyogi Park

Make this a relaxed outdoor walk rather than another timed attraction. The park is a separate destination from nearby shrine grounds.

Allow 35–50 minutes between the garden and Yoyogi Park, using rail and walking according to your chosen exit gate. These allowances exclude meals and longer queues.

Day 2: Ueno Park and Kyu-Iwasaki-tei

Keep the park walk modest so there is time for the house and grounds before their last admission. The residence changes the emphasis from a large public park to a more intimate architectural visit.

Ueno Park

Choose a short park loop after the galleries or before the house visit. Cherry blossom photographs show one season, not year-round conditions.

Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens

Look at the historic residence as well as the grounds. Check indoor photography and footwear instructions at entry.

Allow 25–40 minutes from the main park area towards Kyu-Iwasaki-tei, depending on your loop and pauses. Reach the house before its 16:30 last entry. These allowances exclude meals and longer queues.

Meals, weather and choosing the date

Day 1: Eat between the two parks around the station areas, with an hour for a seated break. Follow each park’s rules on where food is allowed. Shorten outdoor walking and move the paid garden to a better day if rain is persistent. This day has no substantial indoor attraction.

Day 2: Have lunch around Ueno before continuing south towards the house; leave bags light for indoor visiting rules. Prioritise the residence’s indoor rooms when open and shorten the park, while allowing for exposed paths between the buildings.