Yakushiike Park 薬師池公園
The flower park
Yakushiike Park in Machida, in the southwest of greater Tokyo, provides a beautiful nature break for curious visitors from the capital. A beautiful walk between flowers, cherry trees, temples and lotuses....
A large park away from Tokyo
If you are visiting Tokyo or the region, the town of Machida, less than 40 km from the center of Tokyo, has many treasures. In addition to its pleasant little streets, cafes, and restaurants, Machida is home to several parks. The first is the Squirrel Garden, not to be missed, especially if you are with the family. Right in front of this small zoo is the large Yakushiike Park. It is easily accessible from the center of Machida, in 15 min by bus from the station.
The latter is completely free, something rather rare in Japan. It is organized around a large lake spanned by a wooden bridge. In the lake, you will find a lot of fish ( koi carp ) but also turtles.
It is home to hundreds of different flowers and plants (including the beautiful Japanese irises), a meadow filled with fruit trees, as well as a pond covered in giant lotuses.
Visitors will also be able to discover two historic buildings there: the Yakushido temple, as well as a very old farm (former house of the Nagai family), built during the Edo period (1603-1868).
The lotuses of the park
J.R.
The park is well known for its relaxing walks around the lake but is also a good place to admire the cherry blossoms during the hanami, at the end of March, and also the Fuschia plum trees in February. The park is also pleasant during the fall, especially at the end of November when the maple trees turn red.
- To read: Plum blossoms in Tokyo
Thousands of flowers
Throughout the year, different flowers can be observed at Yakushiike Park, which is thus a very popular destination for Japanese horticulture enthusiasts.
The most beautiful are perhaps the Japanese irises ( iris ensata ), of a beautiful color sometimes mauve-violet, sometimes white, lined up by the hundred. These are aquatic irises, whose splendid flowering can be admired from May to July.
It is very pleasant to stroll on the wooden bridges between the flowers, the Japanese do not hesitate to carry out real photoshoots. The camellias are in bloom from May to September, coloring the park pink, orange, and white. The beautiful lotus pond located in the north of the park will be adorned with flowers during the summer, in July and August.
- To discover: 4 places to admire sunflowers in Tokyo
The irises of the park
J.R.
Garden camellias
pass me
The lotuses of the park
Flickr Zengame
Temples and tea
The park is home to a small Buddhist temple, the Yakushido, dating from the 8th century and rebuilt in the 19th, as well as the farm of the Nagai family with its thatched roof, built in the 17th century and designated " Important Cultural Property ".
In front of the Yakushido temple, observe the huge Ginkgo Biloba whose foliage turns golden in autumn...
Along your promenade, you will also find a small cafe with a terrace, ideal for drinking tea in the sun and tasting a Japanese pastry, such as rice cake.
The Yakushida Temple
FlickrSenngokujidai4434
Nagai family farm
Wikimedia Commons
To the north of the garden, near the lotus pond, is also the Salon de la Photographie de Machida, presenting various photo exhibitions and is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- Read also: Tokyo garden side
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
From Machida Station, take bus line 53 or 55 and get off at "Yakushiike" stop.Price
FreeAccess
Open from 6 a.m to 6 pm, until 7 pm in summer
