Inokashira Koen (Park), a short walk through shopping streets from Kichijoji Station, is one of the most beautiful public parks in Tokyo. Located in a gully, it features a large lake ringed with beautiful vegetation.
There’s multiple walking trails to explore and plenty of places to sit and relax. You can also enjoy the lake in a rented paddle boat in the shape of a swan. More traditional paddle boats and row boats are also available. There is also a small shrine and a petting zoo (admission fee applies) that is great for families.
Inokashira Koen is particularly lively on weekends and holidays, when the locals come out to enjoy it. The atmosphere is buzzy, with street performers busking beside the lake. The restaurants and kiosks also do great trade, particularly in street food and ice creams.
Perhaps the nicest thing about the park is the way that people embrace it. It’s somewhere people gather, exercise, wander and quietly relax.
The park is at its most beautiful (and busiest) in springtime time when the large cherry blossom trees around the edge of the pond are in full bloom.
The Ghibli Museum is located in a corner of the park, so if you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli’s animated movies you might like to couple the two attractions together.
Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo
Getting there: 5 minute walk from Kichijōji Station (Chūō Line (Rapid), Chūō-Sōbu Line, Keio Inokashira Line)
Nearby: Ghibli Museum
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