Kyu-Furukawa Gardens

Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is a historic garden combining a Western-style stone mansion and rose garden with a traditional Japanese strolling garden. The garden makes use of the natural slopes of the Musashino Plateau, with a three-tiered design that connects the elevated mansion area to the lower Japanese garden.

The Western-style mansion was designed by British architect Josiah Conder, a key figure in Meiji-era Western architecture in Japan. The Japanese garden was laid out by Ogawa Jihei VII (also known as Ueji), the Kyoto gardener who also made the gardens of Murin-an and Heian Jingu. The garden has survived earthquakes, wartime damage, and the urbanisation of Tokyo. It was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 2006.

The mansion is managed by the Otani Museum of Art and has separate opening hours and admission fees from the garden.

Roses

The garden contains approximately 200 rose bushes representing around 100 varieties. The roses bloom twice a year: in spring from about mid-May to the end of June, and again in autumn from about mid-October to the end of November.

Many varieties are named after historical figures, including Pope John Paul II (white, USA), Charles de Gaulle (purple, France), Mister Lincoln (red, USA), and Helmut Schmidt (yellow, Germany). Other notable Western varieties include Christian Dior (red, France), Princess of Wales (white, UK), and Blue Moon (lavender, Germany).

Japanese-bred roses include Koigokoro (pink), Kotone (apricot and cream), and Shiun (purple).