Sorosen-en Garden

In short

Sorosen-en Garden is a green space that was once the villa garden of Hatano Shogoro, an active figure during the Meiji and Taisho periods. It is a stroll-style garden that takes advantage of the spring-water terrain along the "hake" cliff line, and it is currently managed by Koganei City. Its name is said to have been given in 1919 by former Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi for his friend Hatano, while visiting the garden. It is also a green space preserved through a citizen-led conservation movement.

• ​Spring-fed pond​​: A pond brimming with continuously gushing clear water, selected as one of Tokyo's famous springs
• ​Gatepost inscribed by Inukai Tsuyoshi​​: The characters on the stone gatepost are in the handwriting of former Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi
• ​Traces of Musashino​​: Planted with 135 species of trees, where the songs of wild birds never cease throughout the year

History and Highlights

​Sorosen-en Garden​ is a stroll-style garden that skillfully utilizes the terrain of the Kokubunji Cliff Line, known locally as "hake," where cliff springs emerge. It was once the villa garden of Hatano Shogoro, who during the Meiji and Taisho periods worked as an executive of Mitsui Bank, a diplomat, and a member of the House of Representatives. From the Taisho period to the early Showa period, the southern part of Koganei was an area where many villas were built along the hake.

The name "Sorosen-en" is said to have been bestowed in 1919 by former Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi, who spent time relaxing in this garden, for his friend Hatano. It carries the meaning of "a garden with a spring of abundant, pure water to wash one's hands and feet, rinse one's mouth, and cleanse a mind tainted by worldly dust."

Between 1965 and 1974 (the Showa 40s), development plans arose. However, through an enthusiastic conservation movement by citizens, it was designated as a green space conservation area in 1977, purchased by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and preserved as a natural green space managed by Koganei City. Said to have originally covered over 33,000 square meters, the garden is now about one-third of that size. Today, as a special green space conservation area, the felling of trees and bamboo is restricted.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Spring-fed Pond​​: The grounds retain much of the atmosphere of the Musashino region, and ducks and other birds fly down to the pond brimming with continuously bubbling clear spring water. This spring water has been selected as one of Tokyo's famous springs.
• ​Slope of the Cliff Line​​: Sorosen-en Garden is situated where the Musashino Plateau transitions to lower ground. Here, you can physically feel the slope of the Kokubunji Cliff Line, which was formed as the ancient Tama River shifted southward. Abundant groundwater gushes out from the base of the cliff.
• ​Trees and the Suikinkutsu​​: The garden features 135 species of trees, with colorful autumn foliage such as maples visible in the fall. The singing of wild birds never stops throughout the year. There is also a suikinkutsu (a buried earthen jar water harp), and junior high school students participating in a Tokyo Gakugei University project crafted a wooden guide board inspired by the underground jar of the suikinkutsu.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 15-minute walk from Musashi-Koganei Station on the JR Chuo Line, or a 1-minute walk from the "Koganei Keisatsusho-mae" bus stop on the Keio Bus. The writing on the stone gatepost at the entrance is the calligraphy of former Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi. Pass through the gate while reflecting on the origin of the garden's name. To protect the special green space conservation area, eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted inside the garden. After your walk, you can exit from the side of Sorosen-en Garden into the adjacent Kankyo Gakushukan. Walking about 1.3 kilometers to the east will bring you to the Hakenomori Art Museum, which features a garden with flowing spring water from the same cliff line.