At the centre of Shioiri-no-ike is a teahouse, reached by two bridges, where visitors can enjoy refreshments, such as matcha and Japanese sweets, in the tea-ceremony style.

In 1867, the shogunate erected a western-style stone building as a place for foreign diplomats to stay when visiting Edo.

Later that year, former United States President Ulysses Grant stayed for a month at the Hama-rikyū during his extended visit to Japan.

In November 1945, the Hama-rikyū was transferred from the Imperial Household Agency to Tokyo Metropolis and was opened as a public garden in April 1946.

Visitors can access the garden via either of the two northern gates or via the Tokyo Cruise Ship (water bus) on a 35-minute ride from Asakusa.