Tokyo can be divided into four areas—east, west, south, and north—with the Imperial Palace at its center. Most of the major Japanese gardens are located within a 15-kilometer radius of the palace.

 Our E-bikes enable to connect each area and they are foldable to bring on train, so that you don't need to mind to select your favorite gardens in any area in Tokyo. But If you enjoy a slower-paced trip, focusing on a specific area might be a good idea. So don't hesitate to share your group's composition, fitness level, and any preferences you may have.

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GEOGRAPHY  地理

Tokyo’s unique terrain was shaped long ago by volcanic eruptions, especially from Mount Fuji. Layers of volcanic ash built up over time, and then rivers gradually carved through them over thousands of years. The eroded soil was carried downstream and eventually formed the flat lands near the sea. That’s why Tokyo has such a complex landscape of hills and valleys, with flat areas spreading out beyond them. The best example of architecture that makes the most of this complex terrain is Edo Castle, which is now the Imperial Palace.

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North Area 

 This area is full of hills, valleys, and slopes. It's located at the edge of what’s known as Tokyo’s Yamanote (upland) area. Here, you’ll find three large and beautiful gardens—Koisikawa Kourakuen Gardens, Rikugien Gardens, and Ueno Park—which we highly recommend you visit. This district once had a unique mix of downtown neighborhoods, temples and shrines, and samurai residences. With its varied terrain, just riding an E-bike around here is a fun and enjoyable experience. This area also includes the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts, as well as neighborhoods like Sendagi and Yanaka. Here, you can enjoy Tokyo’s characteristic cityscape and peaceful backstreets full of charm.

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East Area 

 Before the Edo period, this area was marshland. It was gradually developed during the Edo era and became home to merchants and artisans, eventually growing into the heart of Edo (old Tokyo). Even today, it continues to serve as a central hub of Japan’s economy. Unlike other areas, it’s completely flat with no hills, but instead it faces the sea and is traversed by two major rivers: the Sumida and Arakawa.

Because of this geography, the large gardens found here—Kiyosumi Gardens, Hama-rikyu Gardens, and Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu Gardens—are all flat as well. Notably, Hama-rikyu and Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu sit along the waterfront and feature seawater ponds, which is a unique characteristic. Interestingly, even in the middle of Japan’s top commercial districts like Ginza and Nihonbashi, you can still find beautiful gardens. The famous Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is also located in this area. Since the terrain is so flat, it’s an easy place to explore by bicycle.

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South Area

 This area was once home to many feudal lords' residences during the Edo period. While parts of it are flat, much of the terrain is quite varied. Two places we especially recommend are the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum and Happo-en.

The Teien Art Museum is set on a former imperial estate and features an Art Deco-style mansion surrounded by both naturalistic and traditional Japanese gardens. Happo-en is a hotel garden often used for weddings, where you can also enjoy matcha tea. Both gardens were originally part of former daimyo(feudal lords) estates and preserve the elegance of that era.

In addition to these, the area is also home to many temples, shrines, and places like the Ebara Hatakeyama Museum of Art which has fine garden.

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West Area

This is the hilliest area in all of Tokyo. It would be tough to explore without an e-bike—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We provide e-bikes to make the ride easy and enjoyable.

During the Edo period, this area also had the residences of feudal lords and samurai retainers, but it wasn’t as developed or expansive as it is today. Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku only began to grow significantly in the late Meiji period and beyond.

Some recommended spots in this area include the Nezu Museum, which makes brilliant use of the natural terrain in its garden; Jingu Gaien and Yoyogi Park, both great for cycling; and of course, Meiji Shrine—though be prepared to do a fair bit of walking there. Compared to other parts of Tokyo, this area is relatively newer and has a more modern, sophisticated feel.

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