Shinjuku Gyoen is an oasis in the heart of the asphalt-strewn metropolis of Shinjuku, Tokyo. In fact, this is such a popular spot for tourists visiting Japan that it was ranked 7th in the “Top Tourist Spots for Foreigners 2017” by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website. And this park, which is crowded with tourists and locals on weekdays and holidays alike, has another face. It is…
It is also the setting for the feature film “The Garden of Words” directed by Makoto Shinkai in 2013! The film is also the setting for the 2013 feature film “Garden of Words,” directed by Makoto Shinkai, the director of “Your Name ” (Kimi no Na wa)!
This time, while introducing such a very popular tourist spot, Shinjuku Gyoen, I will also make a pilgrimage to the holy place of “The Garden of Words “, which is a must-see for Shinkai fans.
I mean, what is Shinjuku Gyoen anyway?
・From the concrete jungle, suddenly wilderness!
Get off at the south exit of Shinjuku Station and walk for about 10 minutes. Walking along, feeling Koshu Kaido Road on your right. A stranger would never guess that a few hundred meters later, there is a huge green park. Now, a gate that looks like that is in sight.
・History
The Shinjuku Gyoen was originally the site of the former residence of the Naito family of the Takato domain in Shinano during the Edo period. In 1879 (Meiji 12), it was established under the name Shinjuku Botanical Garden and administered by the Ministry of the Imperial Household (now the Imperial Household Agency). After World War II, it was opened to the public and is now a national park under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment. The Shinjuku Gyoen is 58.3 hectares in size! Within the 3.5 km perimeter of the park, there is a European-style landscape garden, a formal garden, and a Japanese garden….
What a grand lineup! How could such a huge park be within a 10-minute walk from the station? It is no wonder why Instagram girls are rushing to the park in search of “Baeru” (to be reflected in photos).
I can’t wait to reveal the whole story, but before I do, let me review the contents of the film “The Garden of Words,” which I will be discussing along with Shinjuku Gyoen!
The Shinkai Legend Began Here! A Brief Introduction to “The Garden of Words”
・Synopsis.
Takao, a high school student aspiring to become a shoemaker, skips school on rainy mornings to draw sketches of shoes in a Japanese garden in a park. One day, Takao meets Yukino, a mysterious older woman who drinks beer cans by herself. The two begin to meet only on rainy days without making any promises, and gradually develop a rapport. Takao wants to make shoes for Yukino, who says she has lost her place in the world, so that she will want to walk around more and more. The rainy season is about to end, despite their mutual feelings, which waver languidly like the June sky…
Your Name is. In “Your Name” (Kimi no na wa), Makoto Shinkai depicted a man and a woman who crossed paths beyond the boundaries of time and space and became a legendary hit.
Above all, the director tends to use the element of “rain” in his films.
(In “The Weather Child,” it rains so much that it becomes an ocean!)
It seems that “rain” and “love” are inseparable in his mind. Is it because it makes him feel somewhat romantic? Because it makes him feel connected to the earth? Hmmm, I’m curious…
・Why Shinjuku Gyoen in the first place?
Why did Makoto Shinkai choose Shinjuku Gyoen as the setting for this film? The following is an excerpt from an interview with Shinkai himself.
“I am from Nagano Prefecture, but for the past 10 years I have changed my place of residence for each film, and recently I have been living in the Shinjuku area. I wanted to use my favorite scenery as a model for the stage, such as the parks in Shinjuku, the scenery of Nishi-Shinjuku, and the radio towers that appear repeatedly. In 10, 20, or 30 years, the landscape may be completely different. I think I wanted to capture the landscape now, in the present, on film.”
In his films, he often adopts the plot of “a boy (or girl) from the countryside who comes to the city and searches for his or her own identity there. Perhaps Shinkai, too, had a similar struggle to find his identity in Shinjuku after moving to Tokyo from Nagano. Perhaps Shinkai wanted to use the medium of film to capture the powerful impression he had at that time… (I wonder if it was raining at that time, too…)
Dive into the world of animation. Introduction of “Eiyoe” areas
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the very pavilion where the two main characters of “The Garden of Words” met!
The pavilion seen from the other side of the bridge. This is a secret place where the two can meet only when it rains.
If you visit as a couple, you may want to take a “Baeru” photo that pays homage to this scene…?
At the end
How was it?
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan. We have introduced its origins, recommended spots, and its relationship with the movie “The Garden of Words”,
The rainy season in Tokyo begins in early June. Shinjuku Gyoen, where the pavilion is located, is expected to receive a lot of rain from now on. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Shinkai world, seek a “Baeru,” or simply enjoy the scenery, why not pay a visit?
(Of course, Shinjuku Gyoen on a clear day is also a superb view.)
Other Highlights
Ticket and access information, etc.
・open hours
9:00~17:30（Closed: Monday）
Depends on the time of year.
・admission fee
General 500 yen /65 years old and over, students (high school students and older) 250 yen / children (junior high school students and younger) free
Interview
Shinjuku Gyoen WEB site URL
“The Garden of Words” Official HP
La Boheme
