Surrounded by a seawater moat, the Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo are located at the mouth of the Sumida River near the famous Tsukiji Fishmarket.

The gardens were created on the site of a 17th century villa of the Shogun Tokugawa family and were given to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1945. The next year, on April 1, the gardens were opened to the public.

The main attraction of the gardens is the beautiful Shiori Pond – a tidal pond that takes in seawater. There is a teahouse in the centre of the pond where visitors can enjoy matcha (ceremonial green tea) and Japanese sweets served in tea-ceremony style.

It is possible to catch a water shuttle to Tokyo Bay via the Sumida River directly from within the gardens.