Valuable Stones in Kiyosumi Garden

Did you know that Kiyosumi garden has a big collection of rare, valuable stones? No other Japanese garden in Tokyo, or maybe in Japan, has such collection of stones of this size and variety.

It was made possible because the garden was built by Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi-- one of the biggest conglomerate in Japan. As a millionaire in the beginning of modern Japan, Iwasaki collected famous stones and rocks from all over Japan and brought them to Kiyosumi, using his company's ships. They were placed by the pond, along the path, or used as stepping stones.

Next time you visit Kiyosumi garden, look for different colors, shapes, placements of various stones. When it rains, some of them look more beautiful.

Want to know more about these stones and Kiyosumi garden? We have free English guided tours for you!

Sado Akadama-ishi (red stone)

Perhaps the most rare, precious stone in this garden.
Used to be popular for rich Samurai gardens. This type of stones were yielded only in a limited area in Sado Island, Niigata. Unfortunately, almost all of them have had been mined out, and no more left to be yielded. That's why it is so valuable.

Soshu Manazuru-ishi

It took thousands of years for a stone to become a natural basin like this.

Kishu Ao-ishi (blue stone)

There  are a lot of blue stones in various part of the garden. They have different colours, shapes and surfaces.

This three Ao-ishi stones represent Buddhist statues. Small stones at the bottom represent water.

Stepping stones

Natural stones are placed as stepping stones to cross the pond, instead of bridges.

Sazare-ishi

Weathered stone covered with moss.





Kiyosumi Teien
Beautiful Japanese strolling garden in Koto-ku, Tokyo. Built in 1878 and contributed to the city of Tokyo in 1932. Appointed as Place of scenic beauty of Tokyo Prefecture in 1979.