Shosei-en Gardens

The creators of this sizeable garden couldn’t have imagined that future generations would see fit to build budget hotels and a gaudy tower on its perimeter. This National Historic Site, belonging to Higashi Hongan-ji, was created in the 17th century to resemble the Shiogama coastline of northern Japan, and although the grounds haven’t been nearly as well maintained as many gardens in the city, it’s still a charming place to visit when you’re near the station.