Having a garden in Tokyo — a city where space is at a premium — is a luxury. But if you have even a little space to grow some type of garden, go for it. Gardening is good for your health; it can alleviate stress and boost endorphins. In the UK, gardening, or ‘green therapy’, has been used as a way to fight depression. 

While the concrete jungle of Tokyo isn’t always the most conducive to gardening, many locals make do with ingenious innovations. Hanging plants, balcony herb pots, indoor garden set-ups, and community garden initiatives, there are limitless ways to enjoy the gifts of mother nature. If you’re feeling inspired to green up your home, apartment or office, here’s a handful of places to begin. 

Tokyu Hands

Tokyu Hands is a name most become very familiar with very quickly when setting up a home in Japan. This monolithic lifestyle megastore stocks almost every possible daily item imaginable. Whether you're after designer watches, almost-animal massage cushions, or all the essentials you'll need for your gardening pursuits, they've got it.

There are Tokyu Hands outlets across the country, but if you're in Tokyo, the Shinjuku and Shibuya stores are your best, biggest and most central bet. Both shops have a well-stocked gardening section and are within walking distance from the train station. 

Locations: Nationwide
Recommended branch: Shibuya and Shinjuku
Web: https://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/

Shimachu

More than just a gardening shop, the Shimachu chain is an allrounder home improvement and DIY centre, (in Japanese, most call this type of outlet a “home centre”). It’s being added to this list of gardening outlets because Shimachu, especially the one in Nakano, is well known for stocking a lot of green, especially, a lot of lush indoor houseplants. If you want to get a city-friendly indoor garden, this is a great place to find both the plants and equipment, but also the shelving units and other necessary tools for getting that particular job done. 

Location: Nationwide. 
Recommended branch: Nakano |  Address: 2 Chome-10-１１ Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 164-0001
Web: http://www.shimachu.co.jp

Koonan

Koonan is another one of Tokyo’s many home centre chains. Cainz and SuperViva are two other ones that are on a similar level in terms of size and what they offer, but what separates Koonan from this trio is the store’s bigger-than-average gardening section. From indoor plants for cosy inner-city apartments to outdoor heavy-duty gardening supplies, and everything you need to build that large community garden veggie patch — you’ll be able to pick up supplies from one of Koonan’s many Tokyo and national outlets. 

Locations: Nationwide
Web: https://www.hc-kohnan.com

Verdeste (gardening)

Situated atop the towering Tokyu Store in central Shibuya sits Verdeste, the largest gardening shop in Shibuya. The rooftop store sells a wide range of plants, including many seasonal varieties. The store’s focus is more on the plants than it is the tools, but they do have both.

The shop also hosts monthly gardening classes on flower-basket hanging too.

Address: Tokyu Department Store, 2 Chome-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043
Web: https://www.tokyu-dept.co.jp/honten/shop/detail.html?shopcode=verdeste

100 yen shops like Daiso

100 yen stores are ubiquitous in Tokyo, and if you’re just on the hunt for the basics like gardening gloves, trowels, buckets, and pots, then chances are you’ll find them in one of the city’s larger 100 yen store outlets like the multi-level Daiso in Harajuku. It is worth noting though that if you’re serious about gardening, it may be worth investing in items of higher quality, because when it comes to 100 yen shops, you get what you pay for. 

Locations: Nationwide. 
Recommended: 1-19-24 Jingumae, Shibuya City 150-0001

Web: https://www.daisojapan.com/ 

Green Fingers

Green Fingers is the ultra-stylish gardening brand founded by Japanese gardening and style celebrity Satoshi Kawamoto. Over the past few years Kawamoto has been taking his very Instragam-friendly style aesthetic across the globe with Green Fingers stores both in Japan and abroad in the US and Italy.

If you’re serious about setting up an indoor garden, and you want inspiration from the best in the game, then visit Green Finger’s flagship store in Sangenjaya. Most of the gardening tools and products here focus on single potted plants rather than larger-scale gardening plants. If you're looking for tools for your next veggie patch, though, you might not find it here. But what you will find are stunning displays and plenty of indoor garden inspiration.

Locations: Nationwide
Recommended branch: Sangenjaya flagship store, 1/F, 1-13-5, Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Web: https://www.greenfingers.jp/ourshop/ 

Ozaki Flower Park

This Nerima-located flower and greenery heaven is so big and so well stocked that some people visit simply to admire the selection of flowers on display. This gardening megacentre sells practically every flower and plant available in Japan, and even more than that they often showcase seasonal displays.

If you’re after something super specific, then make this the first place you visit on your journey. It may not be the most accessible place to reach, but it’s well worth the effort.  

Address: 4 Chome-6-32 Shakujiidai, Nerima City, Tokyo 177-0045
Web: https://ozaki-flowerpark.co.jp/

Yoneyama

Yoneyama is the perfect plant store for those looking for a little more greenery in their office, or want to (re)design their garden completely. The company offers regular gardening supplies, but also provides green space design services for companies, commercial facilities, and private residences.

Another novel aspect of Yoneyama’s service is that the company also offers plant rentals for special events and for offices and commercial outlets.

Address: 223-0057, 252 Shinhacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City 
Web: https://www.yoneyama-pt.co.jp/ 

By Lucy Dayman 

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