Garden Stories
NIWA introduces gardens as design archives: stone, water, moss, pruning, atmosphere, and the work that lets time remain visible.
Garden Stories
29-20 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033, Japan / Garden / Borrowed scenery / Garden stones / Moss
A five-minute walk from Daikanyama Station, Kyu Asakura House was built in 1919 as Torajiro Asakura’s private residence. Visitors can experience an Important Cultural Property residence together with a strolling garden shaped by the site’s natural cliff line.
6/19/2026
Garden Stories
3-3-9 Kiyosumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0024 / Garden / Pond / Stepping stones / Garden stones
Kiyosumi Garden is a strolling pond garden composed around water, artificial hills, and dry landscape elements. While inheriting the tradition of Edo-period daimyo gardens, it was developed in the Meiji era by Iwasaki Yataro and came to be known as one of Japan’s representative modern gardens. Centered on a large pond, the garden features carefully placed stones collected from across Japan, along with trees and layered scenery that change as visitors walk through the space. Despite being located in the city, it offers a quiet sense of openness and calm.
6/19/2026
Garden Stories
1-1 Hama-rikyu Teien, Chuo-ku, Tokyo / Garden / Water / Pine / Bridge
A tidal pond garden held inside the city, where water, pine, bridges, and borrowed scenery keep traces of Edo-period time.
6/17/2026