Located in Chofu, western Tokyo, the Jindai Botanical Gardens are a beautiful oasis of nature boasting very impressive numbers. The complex was the first botanical garden in Tokyo; it overlooks Jindai-ji, the second oldest Buddhist temple in the capital. It’s home to over 100,000 trees and plants, and it stands on the site of a former air defense green space.
The botanical garden is divided into 30 areas, each featuring varieties of just one kind of plant, for a total of 4,800 plant varieties that guests can enjoy while strolling through this seemingly endless field of flowers and trees. Examples of the flora found at the Jindai Botanical Gardens include cherries and ume trees, irises, azaleas and peonies, as well as prized chrysanthemums and tropical water lilies in the large greenhouse. There’s also a practical side to the gardens, which host various gardening events and activities for interested visitors.
The Jindai Botanical Gardens are additionally home to the biggest rose garden in Tokyo. Every May and October, fans from all around gather for the Rose Festival to enjoy over 5,000 of the eponymous flowers spanning 300 to 400 species, depending on the season.