Parks & GardensOchanomizu, Yushima, Korakuen

Sekiguchi Bashoan (Waseda, Tokyo)（Sekiguchi Basho-an Garden)

Matsuo Basho (sect of Zen Buddhism)

This is the land where Matsuo Basho, one of the most famous haiku poets of the Edo period, lived for three years from 1677 (Enpo 5). Before embarking on his famous journey to write “Oku no Hosomichi” (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Basho is said to have been involved in the renovation of the Kanda Waterworks, and since he lived here for that purpose, a hermitage called “Ryugin-an” was built by people who admired Basho. The building was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt after the war. The grounds are overgrown with more than 500 species of plants, including a large ginkgo tree that has remained from the time Basho lived here, and raccoon dogs are said to be present depending on the season. Hyotan-ike Spring has also been selected as one of the 57 best springs in Tokyo.

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