The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden lies in the midst of the bustling metropolis of Tokyo as an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty.  Its history dates to the Edo Period (1603-1868), when it was the estate of a feudal lord. The land was originally bestowed upon Kiyonari Naitō by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1590, and it was not until the Meiji Restoration (1868) that the area began its transformation into a public green space. Initially, a portion of the land served as an experimental agricultural station in 1872, reflecting Japan’s push for modernization and the adoption of Western agricultural techniques. This station conducted studies on fruit, vegetables, sericulture, and livestock farming. In 1879, it was officially designated as the Shinjuku Imperial Botanical Garden.

A significant shift occurred in the early 20th century. In 1901, the garden’s head commissioned a French landscape architect to redesign the botanical garden into a landscape garden, which opened in May 1906. This transformation blended traditional Japanese and Western garden design principles, resulting in three distinct styles: a Japanese Traditional Garden, a French Formal Garden, and an English Landscape Garden. The garden was heavily damaged during World War II but was rebuilt and reopened as the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in 1949. It is currently managed by the Ministry of the Environment.

Shinjuku Gyoen is horticulturally significant, with approximately 10,000 trees, including some of the first examples of certain species in Japan. The garden’s greenhouse houses tropical and subtropical plants and is important for preserving endangered species. The annual chrysanthemum exhibition showcases the garden’s horticultural expertise. Some of its plants,  used in traditional Japanese medicine, include Japanese knotweed and Ginkgo Biloba, used in herbal supplements. The Garden reflects Japan’s history, evolving from a feudal estate to a public park. Its diverse plant collection and preservation efforts highlight an appreciation for nature and for using plants for well-being.