Luxury Japan Garden Tours made for you

In Japanese tradition, gardens serve as physical manifestations of philosophical thought where every element – stone, water, plant and empty space – is full of meaning. Your luxury Japan garden tour will likely feature the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanazawa, a geographical triangle that encompasses the country’s most significant garden styles: contemplative Zen landscapes, expansive estates, intimate tea gardens and imperial stroll gardens (kaiyū-shiki teien, or circuit-style gardens).

The dazzling capital of Tokyo showcases how garden culture can thrive in a modern cityscape. The city is known for vertical garden innovation with rooftop sanctuaries such as the Yokohama Sky Garden, but it is also home to several national parks and features historic Edo-period gardens like Koishikawa Korakuen, designed with the aim of reproducing – in miniature – famous landscapes from China and Japan. In Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, you’ll find a profound collection of Zen gardens alongside exclusive ryokan (traditional inn) accommodation, tea ceremony experiences and kaiseki cuisine.

One of our favourite gardens is Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens alongside Kōraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito. Kenroku-en is in Kanazawa – an off-the-beaten-path coastal city known for its geisha and samurai districts – and the garden features the famous Kotoji stone lantern, autumn maples and winter yukitsuri (rope supports protecting trees from snow). 

Your expert guide will lead you to the sublime Katsura Imperial Villa garden, with its carefully orchestrated pathways revealing teahouses and perfectly framed water views. You’ll also visit Ryoan-ji Temple to explore its kare-sansui (“dry landscape”) rock garden, a masterpiece of Zen minimalism. In springtime, both Tokyo and Kyoto are famous for their cherry blossom.