Greenhouse

Visitors entering through the Okido Gate encounter a dazzling glass structure—the greenhouse of Shinjuku Gyoen, where 1,000 kinds of plants are displayed in an area of some 2,750 square meters. This number rises to around 2,700 varieties, including back-of-house cultivation.
The first greenhouse in Shinjuku Gyoen was a modest glass building of 100 square meters. It was constructed in 1875 when the garden served as an agricultural experimental station under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In 1892 a new Western-style structure with facilities for heating and temperature control was built, enabling the cultivation of orchids and other tropical plants.
Around the early twentieth century, a great number of hybrids bearing the name "Shinjuku" were produced here, such as "Cattleya Shinjuku" and "Lealia Shinjuku." Some of those varieties can still be seen in the greenhouse today.

[Photo] A view of the exterior of the greenhouse. The modern design of this greenhouse was reopened in 2012.

The 1945 air raids devastated much of Shinjuku Gyoen, including the greenhouse. Rebuilt in 1958, it became one of the largest greenhouses in Asia at the time. Later, it underwent several renovations and expansions over the next several decades. In 2012, the greenhouse was extensively remodeled as a more environmentally friendly facility, exhibiting and cultivating tropical and sub-tropical plants, as well as endangered plants.
As a part of the National Network of Botanical Gardens for the Conservation of Plant Diversity operated by the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, and as a registered garden in the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation designated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Shinjuku Gyoen is committed to the preservation of endangered plants outside their natural habitats.
The exhibits are divided into sections, including tropical lowland plants and mountainous plants, Okinawan flora, and plants that grow in arid regions.
Our experienced staff also conduct greenhouse guided tours and behind-the-scenes tours each month.

Back-of-House Greenhouse Tours

The greenhouse staff offers tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the greenhouse, which is usually closed to the public.
Participants can learn about the facility’s history, highlights, and cultivation efforts for rare orchids and endangered plants.See the Shinjuku Gyoen Guided Tours website for scheduled dates and times.

Greenhouse Guided Tours

Take a deeper dive into the greenhouse free tours led by our experienced staff each month. The guide addresses the history of plants and the seasonal highlights.See the Shinjuku Gyoen Guided Tours website for scheduled dates and times.

Greenhouse plants

Red banana

Family: Musaceae

Habitat: Native to The Philippines

This is one type of edible banana, and has a red-brown skin. (People and Tropical Plants area)

Macropoda holly

Family: Aquifoliaceae

Habitat: Species endemic to Amami Oshima

This plant species has been designated as threatened by the Ministry of the Environment due to its rapid decline as a result of collection for horticulture use. (Okinawa area)

Bodhi tree

Family: Moraceae

Habitat: Native to India

This is one of the three sacred trees of Buddhism (tree of awakening). (Tropical lowland plants corner)

Giant water lily lotus

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Habitat: Native to the Amazon River region

This plant is known for unfurling its large floating leaves on the water's surface. (Tropical Wetland Plants area)

Red powder puff

Family: Leguminosae

Habitat: Native to Bolivia

Red flowers that resemble a makeup puff bloom from December to May. (People and Tropical Plants area)

Cacao

Family: Malvaceae

Habitat: Native to tropical parts of the American continents

The fruit of this tree is the raw material for cocoa and chocolate. (Tropical lowland plants corner)

Golden barrel cactus

Family: Cactaceae

Habitat: Native to Mexico

This species is designated in the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (Arid Region Plants area)

Common putat

Family: Lecythidiaceae

Habitat: Native to the Nansei Islands

This fragrant tree has blossoms that open at nighttime during the summer and autumn. (Okinawa area)

Sal tree

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Habitat: Native to India

This is one of the three sacred trees of Buddhism (tree under which Shakamuni died). (Tropical lowland plants corner)

Ceylon cinnamon tree

Family: Lauraceae

Habitat: Native to Sri Lanka

The bark of this tree is made into the spice cinnamon. (Tropical Mountain Plant area)

Coelogyne Shinjuku

Family: Orchidaceae

Habitat: Created by Shinjuku Gyoen

This is an orchid variety that was created at Shinjuku Gyoen before the Second World War. (It blooms in or around February.)

Tropical water lily

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Habitat: Native to Africa

The flower stem extends above the water and blossoms from July to October. (Tropical Wetland Plants area)

Papaya

Family: Caricaceae

Habitat: Native to Mexico

This tropical fruit tree produces one of the most recognizable tropical fruits. (People and Tropical Plants area)

Eastern Cape blue cycad

Family: Cycadaceae

Habitat: Native to South Africa

International commercial transactions involving this species are prohibited under the Washington Convention. (Arid Region Plants area)

Fukuba strawberry

Family: Rosaceae

Habitat: Created by Shinjuku Gyoen

This strawberry was created at Shinjuku Gyoen in 1956. (It bears fruit from January to April.)

Japanese skullcap

Family: Labiatae

Habitat: Species endemic to the Ogasawara Islands (Anijima)

This plant species has been designated as threatened by the Ministry of the Environment due to its decline caused by grazing goats. (Ogasawara area)

Rhododendron boninense

Family: Ericaceae

Habitat: Species endemic to the Ogasawara Islands (Chichijima)

This plant species has been designated as threatened by the Ministry of the Environment due to its small population. (Ogasawara area)

Melastoma tetramerum

Family: Melastomataceae

Habitat: Species endemic to the Ogasawara Islands (Chichijima)

This plant species has been designated as threatened by the Ministry of the Environment due to its small population. (Ogasawara area)

Ashoka tree

Family: Leguminosae

Habitat: Native to India

This is one of the three sacred trees of Buddhism (birth of Shakamuni). (Tropical lowland plants corner)

Kalanchoe integra (Ryukyu benkei)

Family: Crassulaceae

Habitat: Distributed throughout the Ryukyu Islands

This species is endangered as a result of collection for horticulture use and development of its habitat. (Okinawa area)

Lemon myrtile

Family: Myrtaceae

Habitat: Native to Australia

This plant is known for the strong citrus aroma that its dried leaves produce. (Tropical Mountain Plant area)

Lealia Shinjuku

Family: Orchidaceae

Habitat: Created by Shinjuku Gyoen

This is an orchid variety that was created at Shinjuku Gyoen before the Second World War. (It blooms in or around February.)