About
The Basho Hermitage Historic Site Observation Garden, standing at the point where the Sumida River and Onagigawa River intersect, is a tranquil space that conveys the scenery beloved by the haiku saint of Edo, Matsuo Basho, to the present day. Climbing the stone steps that lead to the garden, the graceful form of Kiyosu Bridge appears before your eyes, and the wind crossing the river pleasantly brushes your cheeks.
Within the garden, there is a seated statue of Basho, quietly sitting. At 5:00 p.m., this statue slowly rotates to face the direction of the Sumida River and is illuminated until 10:00 p.m. at night. This seems to be a gesture of respect for Basho, who once set out on his journeys from this place and composed many famous haiku.
The Basho Hermitage Historic Site Observation Garden opened in 1995 as an annex of the Basho Memorial Museum. This location is where Basho moved to Fukagawa and began new haiku activities, and it is also known as the departure point for his journey in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.” The view of the Sumida River from the garden evokes the scenery that Basho himself may have seen, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of Edo.
The garden is open from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and admission is free. Since the rotation and illumination of the Basho statue take place after closing, it may be difficult to see them directly, but you can view the statue from the promenade along the Sumida River. This stylish production, as an attempt to convey Basho’s spirit to the present day, is beloved by many people.
The Basho Hermitage Historic Site Observation Garden is a quiet space that lets you forget the bustle of the city and is a place where you can feel a part of the journey tracing Basho’s footsteps. Why not let your thoughts dwell on Basho’s poetic sentiment along with the flow of the Sumida River?