The Former Yasuda Garden: a Historic Japanese Garden with a Peaceful Atmosphere

Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. This time, we would like to introduce you to the Old Yasuda Garden, a feudal lord’s garden whose beauty can be admired from the guest rooms and terrace.

What is the Former Yasuda Garden?

There are two entrances to the garden, one is the West Gate, which is close to the hotel, and the other is the East Gate, which is on the side of Yokoamicho Park.

The former Yasuda Garden is said to have been built in 1703 by Honjo Inaba no Kamimusuke, the past feudal lord of the Kasama domain in Hitachinokuni, who received it as a suburban residence.

The garden is just large enough to stroll around in a circle.

After the Meiji Restoration, it became the residence of Akimasa Ikeda, the former lord of the Bizen-Okayama domain, and in 1891, it became the main residence of Zenjiro Yasuda. After Zenjiro’s death in 1922, it was donated to Tokyo City and opened to the public in 1927. In 1945, it was withdrawn by the occupying forces, but was returned to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1954 and opened in 1956.

The park was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake and war damage, but after it was transferred to Sumida Ward in 1967, it underwent a large-scale renovation and was reopened in 1971. Later, in 1996, the garden was designated as a place of scenic beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a representative garden of the Meiji era.

Depending on the angle, The Gate Hotel Ryogoku can also be seen.

In the past, the garden was maintained as a so-called “pond garden,” drawing in water from the Sumida River to enjoy the changing scenery as the tide ebbed and flowed. However, due to water pollution from the Sumida River and flood prevention measures, water from the underground reservoir and pond in the garden is now circulated through a pump to recreate an artificial tidal inlet.

Access to the Former Yasuda Garden

It is a 1-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. By train, it is a 4-minute walk from the West Exit of Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line or from Exit A1 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

Take a leisurely stroll among the trees.

You can enjoy the colors of the seasons.

Highlights of the garden

Shinji Pond

A flock of ducks can be seen relaxing on the surface of the water.

The pond in the center of the garden is actually called Shinji Pond, which is shaped like the character for heart. Cross the bridge surrounding the pond and walk along the path. You can enjoy the beautiful seasonal flowers, trees, and wild birds reflected on the surface of the water, and the view of nature.

The trees reflected on the water are also picturesque.

Near the west gate, there is an old sluice gate built to control the water level of the pond, but it was closed around 1965, and the conduit to the Sumida River was also closed. It is now preserved as a relic that retains the appearance of those days.

Information board at the site of the sluice gate

Komadome Stone

At the back of the former Yasuda Garden, there is a large scenic stone called Komadome.

During the reign of the third shogun, Iemitsu, the Sumida River was severely damaged by a typhoon that caused a huge flood. In the midst of the muddy waters, which made everyone shudder, Tadaaki Abe Bungo no Kami, a shogun, crossed the Sumida River on his horse and went around to survey the damage. It is said that the Komadome stone was used as a resting place for the horses.

Komadome Inari, located opposite the Komadome Stone, was enshrined here by the people who lived in the area at that time to honor the virtues of Tadaaki.

Scenery to enjoy with the seasons and time

Although the fresh green season is recommended, the scenery is especially colorful during the autumn foliage season around late November or early December.

Many visitors come to see the autumn leaves. It is a more secluded spot than some of the best foliage viewing spots in Tokyo, so if you are staying at The Gate Hotel Ryogoku during this season, I highly recommend that you stop by.

For your information, the “Scenic Hollywood Twin,” a room type located at the corner of the hotel, offers a view of the former Yasuda Garden from the room window, depending on the floor number (floor number cannot be specified in advance).

The garden is also illuminated from after sunset until closing time.

Before the COVID pandemic, events such as tea ceremonies, sankyoku performances, and fairs were sometimes held here. We can’t wait for the events to resume, as this is the perfect place for foreign visitors to experience a uniquely Japanese atmosphere.

For the latest event information, please visit the Sumida City Tourist Association website.

Sumida City Tourist Association HP

The garden is a place where you can have a quiet time as if the hustle and bustle of the nearby Ryogoku Kokugikan and the expressway were a lie. Why not sit on a bench and take a breather?

*The photos above were taken in early December 2021.