I have a few small things planned in the next few days but didn't have anything I explicitly had to do today. A few events I want to go to haven't started yet and I wake up too late to take day trips too far out of Tokyo, so I figured I would try to keep it in Tokyo. I didn't want to go to Ikebukuro or Suwa Jinja for the 100th time so decided to use my Google Photos photo heat map to see where I hadn't take photos in Tokyo before.
As a proxy for places that I've visited, this method isn't perfect since I walk all over the place but generally only take photos at individual destinations along the path.
I decided to visit the big green spot to the left of Ueno Park on that map, Koishikawa Botanical Garden. I was a bit confused at first because I was sure that I had visited previously, but it turns out that I had actually been to the Koishikawa Kōrakuen Park previously. The names aren't actually even all that similar except that they include the district name, Koishikawa.
The botanical garden itself is beautiful - mostly, as we'll see in a bit - and is run by the University of Tokyo. The area I thought was the nicest was by the main building of the Former Tokyo Medical School. The building itself it photogenic and is a considered an Important Cultural Property by the nation of Japan. Unfortunately, it's been closed to visitors since 2021 since it's not up to code for seismic activity apparently.
Various gardens had been located on the site since the Tokugawa Shogunate's Koishikawa Oyakuen medical garden was founded in 1684! Overall, my first impression was that the garden was pretty big and relatively empty considering that the entrance fee was similar to smaller parks in Tokyo (¥500). I think part of it is that the area is very residential and didn't seem to have too much going on in the way of major tourist attractions otherwise.
Towards the back of the gardens, there is a more heavily wooded area with very narrow paths. As you walk it begins getting darker, and more damp. The trees seem to be closing in on you and that's when you notice that a spider web is on your right very near your head. And a large spider is in that web. As you walk past, you see another web and another (bigger??) spider existing menancingly on your left. Your pace quickens. The dampness is now giving you the chills? This is the kind of place that makes you feel like something is crawling on you even when it's not.
But then you definitely feel something touch your leg. Tall grass? Maybe, but better not risk it. Your brisk walk turns into a slow jog. Now it's your heartbeat's turn to quicken. You look left, you look right. Spider web, spider. Spider web, spider. You desperately hope to be out in the open soon.
And finally, you break into the sunlight.
Okay, okay. A bit dramatic for simple navigation of a single path that's only like 1/10th of a mile long haha My heart rate did shoot from like sub-100 to nearly 150 as I scurried into the more open area though. I don't remember even being that afraid of spiders but I think it was just a mood/atmosphere thing. I will admit to being a little afraid in general though. Like I like what those guys are doing but would rather not see them lol
In the more open area, I ran into a weird gathering of fruit. Likely the spiders are starting to understand more complex trap design.
Near the medical herb garden, I spotted a little snack stand. Surprisingly, the sign indicated that they sold food (even unagi??). I was hungry, but no one seemed to be around so I decided to just sit and relax for a bit. During my break, a couple showed up wanting to get soft serve at the stand as well. Right when they were about to leave, a little old lady showed up, unlocked the little shack's door, and made them a cone. Since she was back, I decided to get a palte of curry rice.
I had already peered into the shack to look inside earlier and it was very small so I knew that the dish would be re-heated with the microwave but it ended up being pretty good. No major complaints, especially because it was so convenient and in a relaxing atmosphere. I don't think it's worth going to just for the food though haha
Unfortunately, eating caused me to miss out on visiting the Glass House portion of the botancial gardens, since it closes earlier than the overall garden.
One other thing I thought was cool while visitng was that the garden also has a grafted clone of the Isaac Newton tree (the one with the falling apple) and a grapevine derived from the ones used in Gregor Mendel's experiments.
Although when I got back, I was a little less impressed with the Newton tree clone thing since they seem to be everywhere! I think the grapevine might be rarer (unique even??) but I'm not totally sure.
Overall, I'd recommend visiting the park, especially if you are into plants or medicinal herbs (these are also plants) or spiders.