Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Rikugien Garden is celebrating it’s annual Azalea or satsuki festival from May 24th through June 8th but it’s not just about these beautiful flowers!
The garden was built in 1702 on the grounds of a private villa and was not open to the public until 1938. It was designated as a special beauty spot of Japan in 1953 and features a large pond and surrounded by sloping hills and walking paths. There isn’t a better time to stroll through this garden than when the Azaleas are in bloom.
Events during the festival include:
- Niko concerts (Chinese two string violin or ehru) on May 31st at 1 & 3PM, weather permitting.
- Edo puppet presentations on June 7, at 1 & 3PM, weather permitting.
- Free garden tour to on Sundays and national holidays during the festival as 11AM and 2PM (1 hour)
- Enjoy some green tea and Japanese sweets at Fukiage-chaya tea house (cost; Y500)
Event Details:
Dates: May 24 (Sat.) – Jun. 8 (Sun.) 9:00 – 17:00 *No entry after 16:30
Location: Rikugien Garden (map)
Admission: Adults Y300, Senior citizens (65 and over) Y150 and free for elementary school students and younger children.
Access: 7 minutes walk from Komagome Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Tokyo-metro Nanboku Line or a 10 minutes walk from Sengoku Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line
Photo Credit: Flickr, azalea carpet & Bunraku puppet in Gion