Hamarikyu Gardens: Open Sky, Tea and a Boat Ride from Asakusa

I visit Hamarikyu Gardens about twice a year. I have visited with my young daughter, who enjoys climbing the steps of the small hills and making her way up the grassy slopes. I like how much sky there is. Even in the middle of Tokyo, the garden feels open, with a large pond at its center.

Autumn is a favorite time to visit. A fine day is lovely, though rain gives the garden a different atmosphere that I enjoy too. For families who want a slower day and a glimpse of Tokyo’s history and garden culture, this is a place I would recommend.

A garden that makes room to explore

With a small child, I would not try to see every corner. Walking around such a large garden takes effort, and we do not always move at the pace I expect. Still, I find it easier to relax here than on a walk through the city. She has space to move, and I feel less worried about disturbing people around us.

A stroller can be hard work on gravel, stones and grass. My daughter walked when we visited together. I find 30 minutes too short; about an hour and a half is comfortable if we stop for tea. Two hours would be enough for me.

Tea in the middle of the pond

A wooden bridge leads to Nakajima no Ochaya, a teahouse on an island in the pond. Sitting on the veranda with tea and Japanese sweets, looking out at the water, garden and sky, is one of my favorite things to do here.

The teahouse can require a little more attention with a child: I keep an eye on my daughter around the doors and other guests in the shared seating area. On holidays, I would allow around 10 minutes for a possible wait, or perhaps 20 minutes when it is busy. Leave some extra time if you want to stop.

The menu includes matcha with Japanese sweets. In an October 2026 visit, Rurubu & More reported a matcha and nerikiri set and a matcha and chestnut dorayaki set at ¥1,200 each. Matcha and nerikiri were also available separately for ¥600 each. Nerikiri is a delicately shaped Japanese sweet; dorayaki is a filled pancake. The menu and prices may change.

The teahouse’s official page lists hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with last orders at 4:30 p.m. It closes over the New Year holidays.

A pond connected to the sea

The pond is more than a garden feature. It takes in seawater from Tokyo Bay, and its level changes with the tide. The garden’s official guide says Hamarikyu is the only surviving Edo-period garden in Tokyo where seawater still flows into a pond. Look closely at the rocks along the edge and you may spot barnacles.

Arriving by boat from Asakusa

My daughter and I have taken the water bus from Asakusa to the garden. I remember passing through a water gate and stepping off at a landing inside Hamarikyu, a different way to arrive from the usual entrance. Along the way, the apartment towers around Tsukishima stood out to me as a very Tokyo sight. My daughter sat in a chair, talked and watched the scenery. At the start, she was delighted by the waves from the boat’s engine. The cabin is mostly tables and chairs, so a young child who does not yet enjoy watching the scenery might find the ride a little long.

Arriving by water lets you imagine how the shoguns once came to this garden. Their landing place, called the Shogun’s Landing, is separate from today’s water-bus pier, as shown in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s garden plan.

Boat and garden ticket

The following details were checked on November 5, 2026. Services can change or be canceled. Check TOKYO CRUISE’s timetable and fares, Japanese schedule and today’s operating status before going.

On a narrow screen, scroll the tables sideways to see all columns.

Route	Journey	One-way fare	Garden access
Asakusa → Hamarikyu	About 35 minutes	¥1,180 adult; ¥470 child aged 6–11	Garden admission included; get off inside the garden

Buy the Hamarikyu ticket at the ticket machine at Asakusa pier on the day; advance reservations are not available. A ticket to Hinode Pier does not let you get off at Hamarikyu. One child aged 1–5 travels free with each adult; a child fare applies to each additional child in that age group. Adults are 12 and over.

For November 2026, the listed Asakusa departures for Hamarikyu are 11:40 and 14:20. The 11:40 service does not run on November 4, 7, 8, 12 or 16; the 14:20 service does not run on November 17, 18, 24 or 27. Check the operator for changes and additional services.

You cannot currently board a boat at Hamarikyu. After your visit, leave through a garden gate and continue your journey from there.

Other routes around the bay

TOKYO CRUISE also lists these routes between Asakusa, Hinode Pier and Odaiba Seaside Park. They have different destinations and tickets from the Hamarikyu admission-inclusive ticket. Whether a boat calls at Hamarikyu, and whether you may get off there, depends on the service and ticket. Times and adult one-way fares below are the operator’s published guide, checked November 5, 2026; a listed fare does not mean a boat runs every day.

Route	Boat	Approximate time	Adult fare
Asakusa → Hinode Pier	Regular boat / Hotaluna	40 minutes	¥1,000 / ¥1,400
Asakusa → Odaiba Seaside Park	Himiko / Emeraldas / Hotaluna	50 / 55 / 65 minutes	¥2,000
Hinode Pier → Odaiba Seaside Park	Regular boat / Hotaluna	20 minutes	¥600 / ¥1,000
Hinode Pier → Asakusa	Regular boat / Hotaluna	40 minutes	¥1,000 / ¥1,400
Odaiba Seaside Park → Hinode Pier	Hotaluna	20 minutes	¥1,000
Odaiba Seaside Park → Asakusa	Himiko / Emeraldas / Hotaluna	60 / 55 / 60 minutes	¥2,000

See the operator’s route and fare page for individual services and current schedules. If you are traveling with a stroller, the operator’s FAQ says it can generally stay open on board, though staff may ask you to fold it when the boat is crowded.

Plan your visit

Hamarikyu is normally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. The garden closes from December 29 to January 1. General admission is ¥300; the Asakusa-to-Hamarikyu boat ticket mentioned above includes admission. Check the official garden information for current details.

The garden lists free admission on May 4 (Greenery Day) and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens’ Day). On Tokyo Citizens’ Day in 2026, admission was free for everyone, including visitors from outside Tokyo. These days may be busier, so consider another day if you prefer a quieter visit. Check the official information before you go; the free admission applies to the garden, not necessarily the boat or teahouse. See our free admission calendar and map for more places and dates.