Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: Tokyo's East-Meets-West Hideaway
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is a quiet Tokyo park in Kita ward that pairs a stone Western mansion and a formal terraced rose garden above with a classic Japanese strolling garden below. Far from the tourist trail, it is one of the city's most storybook spots, especially when the roses peak in spring and again in autumn.
Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0In Hidden Gems in Tokyo · Kita · Last updated 2 June 2026
- A stone Western mansion and rose terrace designed by British architect Josiah Conder
- A classic Japanese strolling garden with a pond and stone lanterns below
- Roses at their best in May and again in autumn, when the maples turn
- A small entry fee and a calm, local feel away from the crowds
What to see at Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, or Kyu-Furukawa Teien, is a Tokyo metropolitan park in the Nishigahara area of Kita ward. Its great appeal is the way it brings two worlds together on one hillside. At the top sits a handsome stone mansion in the European style, and spilling down the slope in front of it is a formal terraced rose garden laid out in neat geometric beds. The British architect Josiah Conder designed this Western half, giving the grounds a distinctive Meiji-era, East-meets-West character that is rare in Tokyo.
Walk down the slope and the mood changes completely. Below the rose terrace lies a classic Japanese strolling garden built around a pond, with stone lanterns, careful plantings and winding paths that reveal new views at every turn. The contrast between the bright, ordered roses above and the soft, shaded greenery below is what makes Kyu-Furukawa Gardens so memorable.
Best time to visit Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
The garden has two clear high seasons. The roses on the Western terrace reach their peak in May, filling the formal beds with colour against the grey stone of the mansion, and they bloom again in autumn for a second, gentler show. Autumn brings a further draw, as the maples in the Japanese garden turn red and gold and the pond mirrors the changing leaves.
Even outside these peaks, the grounds reward a slow visit. The garden is ticketed with only a small entry fee, and because it sits in a residential part of Kita it stays quiet compared with the famous gardens nearer the centre. Arrive earlier in the day for the best light on the rose terrace and the calmest paths around the pond.
Getting to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens lies in Nishigahara in Kita ward, in the quieter north of Tokyo, and is an easy walk from nearby stations on the local rail and metro network. The journey out from the central loop is short, and the surrounding neighbourhood is calm and residential, which adds to the sense of stepping away from the busy core of the city.
The garden is generally open from morning until the late afternoon, with last entry shortly before closing, and it shuts over the New Year period at the end of December and the start of January. A visit pairs well with the rest of Kita ward, making it an easy and rewarding detour for anyone wanting to see a different, greener side of Tokyo.
Know before you go
- Time your visit for May or autumn to catch the roses at their best.
- Walk the Western rose terrace first, then descend to the Japanese pond garden below.
- Go earlier in the day for the best light and the quietest paths.
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Kyu-Furukawa Gardens: frequently asked questions
What are Kyu-Furukawa Gardens in Tokyo?
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is a Tokyo metropolitan park in Kita ward that combines a stone Western mansion and terraced rose garden, designed by British architect Josiah Conder, with a classic Japanese strolling garden and pond below.
When is the best time to visit Kyu-Furukawa Gardens?
The best time to visit Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is May, when the roses on the Western terrace peak, or autumn, when the roses bloom again and the maples in the Japanese garden turn red and gold.
How much do Kyu-Furukawa Gardens tickets cost?
The garden is ticketed with only a small entry fee, around 150 yen. It is an inexpensive visit compared with many of Tokyo's better-known attractions.
What are the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens opening hours?
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is generally open from about 9:00am to 5:00pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. It is closed over the New Year period, from 29 December to 1 January.
Who designed Kyu-Furukawa Gardens?
The Western half of the garden, including the stone mansion and the terraced rose garden, was designed by the British architect Josiah Conder. The lower Japanese strolling garden completes the East-meets-West design.
Where are Kyu-Furukawa Gardens located?
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is in the Nishigahara area of Kita ward, in the quieter north of Tokyo. It is a short walk from nearby local rail and metro stations.
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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Kyū-Furukawa Gardens.