Layout
The garden has an area of 43,070.53 m². There is a circular path around the central pond Sensui (9,000m²), which is the focus of the garden. Originally this was a salt water pond, however, as the land around was reclaimed the pond was converted to freshwater. The pond includes four islands, the central Nakajima and the smaller Ukishima, Oshima, and Yukimi-toro. Two bridges allow crossing of the pond via the larger island Nakajima. Oshima is close to the shore and can also be crossed. The inspiration for the pond originates from West Lake in Hangzhou, and the rocks on the central island represent the mountains of West Lake. One corner of the pond includes a sandy beach area named Suhama, although swimming is not recommended.
The highest point of the park is the Oyama hill, from which a dry waterfall made from stone named Karetaki flows. A stone lantern provides supposedly a good spot for snow viewing, although Tokyo rarely gets snow nowadays. Notable is also the wisteria trellis in the picnic area, especially when the wisteria blooms at the beginning of May.
Besides the garden office there is also a Japanese Archeryrange and a children's playground. The garden is surrounded by High-rise buildings and Skyscrapers.
Read more about this topic: Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden