Tsukuba Botanical Garden
Tsukuba Botanical Garden in Tsukuba, Ibaraki is the botanical research center of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo with wonderful clematis.
Tsukuba Botanical Garden, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture 筑波実験植物園
Wetlands area and boardwalk
Wetlands area at Tsukuba Botanical Garden, Tsukuba
The Botanical Garden in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture is a delight.
It is one of several pleasant gardens, green spaces and parks in the city.
It is worth visiting at any time of the year having both cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. However, the garden is especially popular in May for its Clematis Garden.
Tropical Rainforest House, Tsukuba Botanical Garden, Tsukuba
Inside one of the glass houses in the garden
History & Sections
The large Tsukuba Botanical Garden opened in 1983. It is the botanical research center of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno Park, Tokyo.
The Garden both researches and conserves plant diversity, not just species native to Japan but also those overseas.
The garden has two main areas: the World Vegetation Area and the Human and Biodiversity Area.
The World Vegetation Area is divided into 9 distinct sections which include the following:
Temperate Coniferous Forest
Warm-temperate Deciduous Broad-leaved Forest
Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest
Cool-temperate Deciduous Broad-leaved Forest
Scrub Area
Sandy and Gravel Area
Mountain Grassland Area
Rocky Area
Aquatic Plants Area
Savanna House
Tropical Rainforest House
Aquatic Plant House
Around House
The Human and Biodiversity Area has the following sections:
Temperate Resources Plant Area (East)
Temperate Resources Plant Area (Central)
Temperate Resources Plant Area (West)
Endangered Plants Area
Mt. Tsukuba Plants Area
Fern garden
Clematis Garden
Tropical Plant Resources House
Cacti, Tsukuba Botanical Garden in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture
Ground floor of the National Museum of Nature and Science Building, Tsukuba Botanical Garden in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture
Exhibits
The Botanical Garden draws visitors throughout the year in any season.
Altogether the garden covers 36 acres and has around 5000 taxa of domestic and exotic plants. These come from both temperate and tropical regions around the world.
There are three glasshouses, a lake and several other green houses with both common and rare plants growing within.
The National Museum of Nature and Science Building is multi-story within the garden but only the ground floor is open to visitors. A variety of dinosaur bones and ancient fossils can be viewed here.
Lake and wetlands area with view of Tsukubane Bridge, Tsukuba Botanical Garden, Tsukuba
Glass houses within the Botanical Garden in Tsukuba
Highlights
The central promenade is lined with sequoia and metasequoia trees, the world's highest trees.
Plantings of Rhododendron, carnivorous plants, such as Sarracenia rubra, endangered aquatic plants (some of which are extinct in the wild) and examples of Mendel's grape lay within the central circle area.
The wetlands area includes areas of Japanese rice fields (paddies), Japanese primrose, iris, water lilies and Japanese water clover. Boardwalks reach into the area with lovely views of the Tsukubane Bridge.
Camellia japonica are also well represented and each year many people come to see the autumn leaves in the fall, roses and the wonderful Clematis, which bloom in May. Species on view include the endangered Clematis patens, a variety that is unique to Japan.
The Botanical Garden in Tsukuba has three large glasshouses
Entrance to the Botanical Garden in Tsukuba
Botanical Garden Access
Tsukuba Botanical Garden (tbg.kahaku.go.jp)
4-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture
Tel: 029 851 5159
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm. Closed Mondays or the next day, Tuesday, if Monday is a national holiday. Also closed December 28 to January 4.
Admission: 320 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger children.
Outdoor vegetable garden, Tsukuba
The Tsukuba Botanical Garden can be reached by the following buses from Tsukuba Center outside Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express.
Tsuku-Bus North Hokubu Shuttle from bus stop 3, get off at the Tsukuba Botanical Garden stop. Journey time is just 5 minutes on the bus, then a 3 minute walk.
Techno-Park Oho Route from bus stop 3, get off at the Tsukuba Botanical Garden stop, then a short walk.
Tsukuba University Circle Line (counter-clockwise) from bus stop 3, get off at the at Amakubo 2-chome stop and walk approximately 10 minutes.
The Tsukuba Science Tour Bus (Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays only). Take the North Route bus for Tsukuba Botanical Garden.
Other places of interest in Tsukuba include the Science Museum of Map & Survey, the Geological Museum & Science Square, the Tsukuba Expo Center and the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC).
Various plants labeled and on display in the Endangered Plants Area
Inside one of the interesting glass houses in the garden, Tsukuba
