Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has long served as one of Tokyo’s largest and most historically layered urban parks, transitioning from an Edo-period feudal estate to an Imperial garden before opening to the public after World War II. This March 2023 view reflects the quiet season just before cherry blossoms begin to emerge, when the garden’s network of footpaths, streams, and wooded slopes show more of their underlying structure.

Morning light filters through leafless trees onto a narrow waterway lined with timber edging—an example of the garden’s blend of traditional Japanese landscape elements and early modern design introduced during its redevelopment in the early 20th century. In the distance, visitors walk among early-blooming shrubs with Shinjuku’s skyline rising beyond the treetops, underscoring the park’s role as a transitional space between dense city life and calm, curated nature.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden offers a calm, expansive contrast to the dense urban core that surrounds it. Originally part of a feudal estate in the Edo period and later a botanical garden under the Imperial Household Agency, Shinjuku Gyoen opened to the public in 1949 and remains one of Tokyo’s most significant landscaped parks.

In this March 2023 photograph, the garden’s central pond reflects late-winter trees and early seasonal light, while the tiered silhouette of the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building rises prominently in the background. The juxtaposition underscores how Shinjuku Gyoen functions as a large green refuge within one of the busiest districts in Tokyo, blending historical landscape design with the city’s modern skyline.

Community space on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street where variety shows have been held along with the growing of a garden.

Protesters climb the fence outside the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials. The memorials had been cleared by private security contractors earlier in the morning.

The Deona Marie Memorial after it was cleared in the morning by private security contractors.

Signs laying against newly installed barricades outside what was the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorials.

Protesters and who the police call "hot rodders" shut down streets in Uptown Minneapolis. Police moved in hours later and the crowd dispersed. Minneapolis Police declared an unlawful assembly but eventually left without making any arrests.

"Wince Marie Peace Garden 4 Ever" written in chalk near where Winston Smith was killed.

A protest garden built outside the parking garage that Winston Smith and Deona Marie were killed at.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Winston Smith.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

A memorial garden in Uptown Minneapolis where Winston Smith and Deona Marie were killed. Smith was killed by law enforcement on June 3rd, 2021. Deona Knajdek was killed 10 days later when a man drove his vehicle through barricades in place for those protesting the death of Smith.

A memorial garden being built by protesters who have gathered since the June 3rd and June 13th killings of Winston Smith and Deona Marie.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Winston Smith.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

A garden being planted in the empty lot outside of the parking garage where Winston Smith was killed on June 3rd and next to the road Deona Marie was killed on June 13th.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Smith.

Law enforcement from multiple agencies respond to protesters who had been gathered since June 3rd protesting the killing of Winston Smith and the June 13th killing of Deona Marie.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Smith.

Police outside the street barricades on Lake Street. Protesters had been holding space following the June 3rd and June 13th killings of Winston Smith and Deona Marie.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Smith.

Police outside the Deona Marie Memorial clearing out protesters who had been gathered since the June 3rd Winston Smith killing and June 13th Deona Marie killing.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Smith.

Law enforcement from multiple agencies move in to clear out protesterts who have continued to gather in the area following the June 3rd and June 13th deaths of Winston Smith and Deona Marie.

Winston Smith was killed after Hennepin and Ramsey County officers fired their weapons while part of a Federal Task Force serving a warrant.

Deona Marie was killed when Nicholas Kraus drove his vehicle into those protesting the killing of Smith.

The South Minneapolis Youth Garden at Chicago Ave and Lake Street.