Sankeien Garden

What this place is

Sankei-en (三溪園, Three Creeks Garden) is a traditional Japanese-style garden in Naka Ward, Yokohama, Japan, which opened in 1906. Sankei-en was designed and built by Tomitaro Hara (原富太郎) (1868–1939), known by the pseudonym Sankei Hara, who was a silk trader. Almost all of its buildings are historically significant structures bought by Hara himself in locations all over the country, among them Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura, Gifu Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture. Ten have been declared Important Cultural Property, and three more are Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan designated by the City of Yokohama. Badly damaged during World War II, the garden was donated in 1953 to the City of Yokohama, which entrusted it to the Sankeien Hoshōkai Foundation (三溪園保勝会, Sankeien Hoshōkai). Sankei-en was then restored almost to its pre-war condition.

Sankeien Garden (三溪園) is one of the standout places to visit in Kanagawa. Give yourself unhurried time for photos, seasonal views, and nearby food stops. IC cards such as Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA cover most trains and city buses.

Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Why it is worth the trip

A planting plan that guarantees something in bloom or colour in almost every month.

Paths, ponds and pavilions arranged so that the view reframes itself every few steps.

A local gathering place: morning walkers, picnic blankets, festival stalls and evening illumination.

What you can do here

Do a slow loop of the main path and stop at each designed viewpoint.

Bring a bento or grab something from a nearby konbini and picnic on the lawn.

Photograph the seasonal star — check the park's bloom calendar before you go.

Rent a bike where available; larger parks are far quicker to see on two wheels.

Photos