A visit to Tonogayato Gardens is like being magically transported out of Tokyo. Hidden away in Kokubunji, the gardens incorporate the natural flora and topography of the Musashino Plateau into their design to create a tranquil oasis that’s perfect for strolling. Over the years, the gardens have become something of a local secret not known to many international visitors.
The initiated, though, know Tonogayato as a Place of Scenic Beauty, a designation that it was officially awarded in 2011. It’s easy to see why when one witnesses the gardens’ impressive bamboo forest, the wildflowers growing on its cliff slopes, and its serene Jiro Benten Pond.
Fed from a natural spring, the pond is best enjoyed from the Koyo-tei teahouse, one of the few structures that also include a historic main residence building. Besides views of the pond, Koyo-tei additionally offers visitors a relaxing place from which to admire the colorful maple leaves during fall foliage season. In the spring and summer, the teahouse doubles as a great spot for bird watching while slowly forgetting about the outside world and all its troubles.