Garden Adventure Around Kanto in 4 Days

This four-day journey explores the deep-rooted culture of gardens in the Kanto region, from historic daimyo gardens and temple precincts to communities shaped by horticultural tradition. It reveals how green spaces sustain both cultural heritage and modern cities, tying into the GREEN×EXPO 2027 subtheme of Co-adaptation by showing how gardens adapt to changing times while continuing to shape human environments.
 

Day 1: Stroll through a historic garden in Ibaraki

Travel about three hours from Yokohama Station to Kairakuen in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. One of Japan’s three great gardens, Kairakuen was one of the first public gardens, designed to be enjoyed by all people. It is especially famous for its plum blossoms. 

After strolling the grounds, spend the night in Mito, leaving time to enjoy its art scene and temples.
 

Day 2: Discover bonsai culture in Saitama

Start the day by taking a two-hour train ride to Omiya Bonsai Village in Saitama City, where generations of bonsai growers have refined the art of cultivating miniature trees. Visitors can explore several bonsai gardens and the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, the world’s first public museum dedicated to bonsai culture. 

After exploring this ancient craft, travel to Tokyo for the evening. 
 

Day 3: Old and new green spaces blend in central Tokyo

The next day, travel to Korakuen Station and walk around Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, a strolling garden from the Edo period (1603–1867) that blends Japanese and Chinese design elements. 

In the afternoon, travel about 30 minutes by train to Miyashita Park in Shibuya, a redeveloped urban park space integrating greenery, shopping, and dining. Spend the night in the area while exploring central Tokyo.

Day 4: Discover the root of Zen in Kamakura

On the final day, travel about an hour and a half by train to Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura, the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan.

Its expansive grounds include temple gardens that embody Zen aesthetics and exemplify the principle of “borrowed scenery” by incorporating the surrounding landscape into its design. The temple continues to serve as a center of Zen practice today.

©Expo 2027