Happō-en Garden and Tea Ceremony (Tokyo, Japan)

Happō-en means “a garden of eight views” in Japanese, which signifies that it is beautiful no matter where you look. Happō-en Garden was built in the 17th century during the Edo period. This 5,000-square meter property is a serene spot in the middle of Tokyo. This gently sloping hilly paradise is around a pond that runs across the area. It has a bonsai display which boasts of bonsai trees that are at least 100 years old. One of them is over 500 years old. Our guide encouraged us to look for that five-century bonsai. I did not even try. 🙂

The garden itself showcases greenery and some cherry trees. The pond is so clear it reflects the majestic landscape that surrounds it and makes the koi contentedly swimming in the water visible. It has an oriental chapel and a garden chapel.

For those who may feel tired of physical exertion, there are marutei, kakutei, suichin, and rokkakutei or wooden structures that serve as resting places that dot Happō-en Garden.

Jusansoto (Thirteen-tiered Pagoda). It is the stately pagoda that watches silently over Happō-en. It was constructed over two hundred years ago during the Genbun Era. It is said to have come from Ueno village in Iga (present-day Mie Prefecture), birthplace of the legendary samurai Araki Mataemon (1598-1638). Its simple construction is so sturdy that it continues to stand through the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
TR with Jusansoto in Happō-en Garden
Bonsai garden. Photo by Virg.
Bonsai trees
More bonsai trees
Kuromatsu
Yabai
TR and a bonsai tree
Me and the bonsai trees
The pond has calming effect
The pond from another angle
TR stares at the pond wistfully
Koi fish
A closer look at the koi fish
A couple of Japanese women in their exquisite garb
Three’s a crowd
The Fab Four
One of the accents in Happō-en Garden
Inside one of the maruteis or resting place in Happō-en Garden

Happō-en Garden is so tranquil and divine that it is a backdrop for hundreds of celebrations, especially pre-nuptial photo shoots and wedding ceremonies. During our short stay there, we witnessed at least three pre-nuptial shoots and one wedding parade.

Set-up for a wedding photo shoot
Wedding parade in Happō-en Garden
Wedding photo shoot in Happō-en Garden

A visit to Happō-en Garden is not complete without going to “muan” or a traditional tea house at the edges of the property. There a tea master demonstrates the tea ceremony and visitors consume sweets and a bowl of refreshing matcha to quench their thirst.

The master who showed us how to make green tea and how to drink it properly.
Sweets we ate before we had the tea
Serving the tea
Matcha tea
This bowl was admired before and after consuming its content.

Happō-en Garden Entrance Fee: Free

Happō-en Garden is open from 10am to 10pm daily except New Year’s day.

How to get to Happō-en Garden:

a) Take the Namboku Line (N2) or Mita Line (I2) and get off at Shirokanedai Station. It is 172 meters from there.

b) Take the Namboku Line (N3) or Mita Line (I3) and get off at Shirokanetakanawa Station. Walk 700 meters from the station.

c) Take the Asakusa Line (A6) and get off at Takanawa-dai Station. It is 800 meters from there.

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