Old Shiba Rikyû Garden

旧芝離宮恩賜庭園 former Shibarikyû-onshi-teien

Nishigahara / Tôkyô

This feudal clan garden is a classic, strolling, pond-centered garden featuring rock and land formations. In former times, seawater was brought in to fill the pond, but it is now fresh water. From 1655 to 1658 this area was reclaimed and in 1678, came to be used for the residence of ÔKUBO Tadatomo, an official of the ruling Shogunate. This residence was purchased by the Imperial Household Agency in 1875. After the Great Kantô Earthquake (1923), fire had consumed all buildings and trees, the property was given to the City of Tôkyô.