Inokashira Park

Such a beautiful, tranquil park with a lake in the middle. You can even hire out different boats for half an hour from a dock (row boats, Swan pedal boats) to take across the lake. I took a pedal boats with a friend. This was such a great and fun experience. There are also a few shrines around the park, and a few streets with eateries and shops to look around if you get bored. There's also a playground for little kids. The greenery is also spectacular, especially against the backdrop of the lake. I went during June but the park was still very lush. Highly recommend this spot as a nice break from the busy Tokyo city.

Lovely park, an oasis of tranquility in the midst of a bustling city. We were surprised by how calm and large it is. Beautifully laid out, spotless and numerous activities. The park also contains a small zoo. The lake adds to the overall serenity. You can rent a pedalo, or a rowing boat, to admire the scenery from the water. The train station is very close to an entrance, and the park is free of charge. Afterwards cross the station to find yourself in covered shopping streets. Plenty of shops and restaurants around, including in the train station.

Such a beautiful park area, plenty of open space to walk or just relax. This was my first time visiting this location, it was recommended by a friend from Japan. I was happy to find my first blossom of the year ☺️ The park is very clean, friendly and feels very safe. There also seemed to be places to eat and drink within the park area, but my only plan was to walk and keep walking ☺️ Will definitely come here again

Lovely park, with long walks and beautiful surroundings, many cherry blossoms and other types of trees, birds and plants. Great place to unwind or escape the noise of the city, plus you have other attractions nearby or within it.

Soooo beautiful, it’s a great place if you want to have a chill day away from the business of Tokyo. There are a bunch of cafes and vintage clothes shops. Definitely a chill Sunday type of vibe.

Came early around 10AM and there was already a small line for the boats. The duck boat costs 800 yen for 30’ins, and it was truly fun! However, I wish I had taken the row boat instead, it would’ve been perfect for getting photos under the sakura trees.

Inokashira Park, located in the vibrant Kichijoji area of Tokyo, is a serene and beautiful oasis that offers a perfect escape from the city's bustling energy. This expansive park, which is one of the most popular outdoor spaces in Tokyo, is a delightful spot for both locals and visitors to relax, unwind, and enjoy nature in the heart of the metropolis. Natural Beauty and Atmosphere Inokashira Park is renowned for its tranquil lake, lush greenery, and diverse plant life, which create a peaceful environment throughout the year. The park’s centerpiece is the large pond, where visitors can rent rowboats or swan-shaped pedal boats and leisurely float around the calm waters. The surrounding walking paths are perfect for a peaceful stroll, and the sight of the lake framed by willows and cherry trees adds to the overall charm of the park. In spring, Inokashira Park becomes especially popular due to the stunning cherry blossoms that line the pathways and surround the lake. The cherry blossoms create a breathtaking scene, drawing visitors for hanami (flower viewing) parties. The park is equally beautiful in autumn when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and orange, providing a picturesque backdrop for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Activities and Attractions Beyond the beauty of its natural surroundings, Inokashira Park offers a variety of activities to suit all types of visitors. For families with children, there is a lovely small zoo, the Inokashira Park Zoo, which is home to various animals, including monkeys, penguins, and deer. The zoo is charming and low-key, making it a pleasant visit for kids and adults alike. For those who enjoy a more laid-back experience, the park also has a lovely tea house situated by the pond where you can sit and enjoy traditional Japanese tea and sweets while admiring the scenery. The park’s various walking trails are ideal for a morning jog, casual walk, or even a bike ride. A hidden gem in the park is the Ghibli Museum, located just nearby, which is dedicated to the works of Studio Ghibli, Japan's famous animation studio. While not part of the park itself, the museum's proximity makes it a convenient addition to any visit to Inokashira Park, offering a magical experience for fans of Ghibli films. Visitor Experience The overall vibe of Inokashira Park is laid-back and relaxed, with plenty of spaces to enjoy a picnic, read a book, or simply people-watch. The park is usually bustling with activity, especially on weekends, but it never feels overcrowded. Locals often come here for a jog, a leisurely stroll, or a peaceful moment by the water, and there’s a strong sense of community throughout the park. One of the park’s highlights is the small but lovely Inokashira Park Temple, which adds a touch of spiritual tranquility to the area. The temple, nestled in a quieter part of the park, is a perfect spot for reflection or to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the park. Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Inokashira Park depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in cherry blossoms, spring (late March to early April) is the ideal time, when the park is in full bloom and offers a stunning sight. For those who prefer cooler weather and beautiful foliage, autumn (October to November) provides a similar stunning backdrop with vibrant red and yellow leaves. Summer can be warm, but the park remains green and refreshing, offering relief from the heat. Even in winter, the park has its charm, with fewer visitors and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Final Thoughts Inokashira Park is a true gem in Tokyo, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and peaceful relaxation. Whether you're a nature lover, a family with kids, a photographer, or simply someone looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, Inokashira Park provides a wonderful respite. Its combination of a serene lake, charming zoo, beautiful walking paths, and proximity to the Ghibli Museum makes it a must-visit spot in Tokyo.

If you have small kids do bring them along to have a stroll or even a ride of swan boats at th Pond. Just few days away from Sakura full blossom. Many Sakura trees all along the Pond. Tomorrow is Sunday do come & enjoy the sunshine & scenery here.

After the Glibli museum we walked through the park to get back to the train station. Inokashira Park is such a big beautiful park. It's so spacious and there's so many people doing activities there. Plus it was one of the few days it has been sunny in the past week. We saw people having a picnic, playing soccer, and just walking around the track, or just playing with their kids. We same some Sakura as we were walking and it was nice and in bloom. It was a nice walk through Inokashira Park.

We walked around Inokashira Park before we visited the Ghibli Museum. It is most well known for being home to the Ghibli Museum. If you go there in the spring seasons, you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms and the blooming cherry trees that line the pond. The park has a small temple dedicated to Benzaiten. It also has a small aquarium and a petting zoo. This park itself is so big but beautiful. It has a big pond in the middle with a wooden strolling path. It was quite hot that day so we did not spend too much time there.

A very nice park where Studio Ghibli Museum is located. I'll tell you this, the Japan really has nice parks. No filth or garbage and the people are truly nice and will guide you if lost. Nature at its finest and greenest. I wish I had more time to spend here, because it was a real marvel being here.

This park is so peaceful and has a ton of beautiful cherry blossoms (during cherry blossom season)! I recommend taking your friends or family to have a picnic here and enjoy the views around you. Perfect place to rest after a long day of exploring and to get away from the busyness of the city. Tip: it is also right next to the Studio Ghibli museum!

I love walking around parks in Tokyo because you get away from the big city, the people and all the busy streets. Unfortunately we did not come during cherry blossom season but the park was still such a calm and relaxing experience. Its quiet and plenty of animal encounters.

Back in May 1, 1917 (Taisho 6), Inokashira Onshi Koen (Inokashira Imperial Grant Park) was opened to the public, as a gift from the Emperor the general public. Inokashira park lies within the southeast Musashino and northeast of Mitaka, Inokashira Pond and the Kanda River can be seen within the vicinity. The park is frequently visited during the cherry blossom season (selected as one of the top 100 sites to view the cherry blossoms in Japan), during the summer for the green trees of Gotenyama and in the autumn and winter when the Cedar, Cypress, Zelkova, Oak, Konara and Kunugi trees change color. From Kichijoji Station, you can take Purple-dori or Nanaibashi-dori (the two main roads going up to Inokashira Park) and the walk is about three blocks away. When you arrive, you will see an outdoor stage but a body of water, which is Inokashira Pond. You can see from the distance, Nanaibashi Bridge, the Boat Pier and Komaebashi Bridge. Go ahead and head to Nanaibashi Bridge to get to the other side. And while on Nanaibashi Bridge, you can get good photos of the trees and Inokashira Pond. But this area is no doubt great for walking with loved ones, taking photos of the trees and area around the pond. One thing that you notice on the other side are the many descriptions for plants and plant varieties, but also many people who are jogging or walking their dogs on this side of the park. There is also a rest area and Pepa Cafe Forest for those who are hungry and from the loud sounds of many people emanating outside of the area, it must be a lively area. And many bench areas to enjoy the tranquility of the park. You will see a piano memorial for Nakada Yoshinao, a memorial dedicated to the popular children's music composer. In fact, his songs are sung today in elementary and junior high schools all over Japan. Nakada was honored with a Japanese Composers Association achievement award at the 42nd Japan Record Awards in 2000, and would die of cancer on May 3rd of that year. The current Bentenbashi bridge is a humanitarian bridge built in concrete during the early Showa era and while it is a bridge that is used a lot by people, it is a bridge that is getting older and so there are plans to construct a new bridge but also a bridge that would accommodate the handicapped, so a less of an incline and much wider. The side rails will be a little larger and much safer in the proposed plans. Located across from Bentenbashi Bridge at Inokashira Park is another shrine and it is known as Inokashira Benzaiten Shrine. Dedicated to Benzaiten, originally the Hindu goddess Sarasvati, the place is worshipped by musicians, artists and scholars. Benzaiten, a Japanese Buddhist goddess was worshiped by Japanese as early as the 6th century. A goddess of everything that flows: water, time, words, speech, eloquence, music and knowledge, she is considered in Japan as a protector-deity. She also became one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. She is also seen as a guardian angel for the water goddess and grain harvest. The Benzaiten goddess at Inokashira is an eight-armed representation who bears the Ugajin (harvest and wealth god) on her head. This Buddha is withheld from public viewing. The shrine lies in a stretch of land in Inokashira Pond. At first, I wondered if it was manmade, but in 1838, Utagawa Hiroshige painted "Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro yuki no kei" (Snow Scene of Benzaiten Shrine in Inokashira Pond), and how the place was literally a lone shrine in the middle of the pond. When you go to Benzaiten Shrine, you can't help but be captivated by the red and blue colors. But for the most part, I do recommend Inokashira Park, if you love tranquil, yet cool parks that offer a lot of sightseeing in different seasons for the trees and so much more! May it be the zoo, the shrine or experiencing a wonderful, lush park, definitely give Inokashira Park a visit!

Inokashira Park is quiet most of the year, only hosting a couple of outdoor festivals annually as well as a beautiful hanami (cherry blossom blooming) in the spring. The park was a gift from the Emperor to the city of Tokyo around 1913, park opened in 1918. The beautiful pond, Inokashira pond, is part of the Kanda River water source that flows through the entirety of Tokyo. There are swan and duck boats rentals to take a turn around the pond, also some scenic bridges crossing the lake at narrow points. A small zoo is inside the park with a separate inside entrance. There is also a very beautiful and peaceful shrine inside the park complex and along the edge of the lake, dedicated specifically to Benzaiten, a Japanese Buddhist goddess. At each end of the park, there are snacking and dining options, as well as at the train stations. The park is halfway between Kichijoji and Mitaka station. Inside the park, directional signs are clearly labeled in Japanese, English, and Korean for tourists and locals alike. If you are visiting Studio Ghibli Museum, I definitely recommend arriving early in the morning to walk around Inokashira Park before heading to the museum. Or packing your lunch and coming for a picnic near the lake. When we visited, we saw many children on field trips, joggers, families, and were even approached by locals speaking Japanese to us. We do not speak Japanese well, but were able to communicate just fine and have fun in the process. Inokashira Park is a beautiful scenic place, in a great neighborhood full of friendly people.

This park was a very pleasant surprise. Although still in Tokyo, only 30 minutes away and you feel like your miles away from the big city. The park is near the Ghibli museum so if you are lucky enough to score tickets, you should definitely go to this park. We were lucky enough to make it here during the peak of Sakura season. Tip: if you want to score great pictures during Sakura season and enjoy the sounds of nature, get to parks early in the morning, otherwise, you will not enjoy as much as people are getting ready or already enjoying their hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. So it gets noisy and crowded. We couldn't do the swan boats because they didn't open until 930, same as the zoo, but wish we would've made time for them. I'm sure they give a different perspective and view from the water. Either way, we were able to walk through most of the park and enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of all the trees, the water, the birds, the whole atmosphere. Truly, breathtaking.

Highly recommend during cherry blossom season to come here and paddleboat. It was such a serene experience. My sister and I came here 2 years ago during sakura blooming week, and rented a swan paddleboat and had a blast. If you have long legs, I do not recommend you to do the paddling on this particular swan paddleboat. Other than that, it is a work out but worth it. Super fun!! Afterwards, go walk around the park and grab an ice cream or beverage at one of the kiosk.

One of Tokyo's famous parks for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring, Inokashira Park is just big enough to feel like a (sub)urban oasis, yet the ample shops and restaurants around the pond periphery provide a nice level of neighborhood buzz. Included within the park is a bird sanctuary, a children's zoo, a mini-amphitheater and the world-famous Ghibli Museum (separate review). Plenty to see here. In the center of the park is Inokashira Pond, with a floating pedestrian bridge spanning the width and even a boat rental facility. Rowboats and peddle-powered swan boats are available for rent at reasonable prices. Plan a half day for a leisurely once around the pond walk to enjoy the discoveries of the park and surrounding neighborhood.

Tokugawa, the famous shogun in the Edo period, made this garden to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. Therefore the cherry blossoms in this park are very beautiful. It's located near Kichijo-ji station so you can enjoy walking through the shopping street too. One more thing, there is an urban legend in Japan that says couples should not go there because they will end up breaking up afterwards. But many couples visit here. I want to research on this topic and see whether this legend is true or not someday. lol Anyway I wouldn't worry, just ignore it and chalk it up to another legend!!!! lol

On of the fantastic parks in Tokyo. Beautiful cherry blossoms and tons of people during Hanami: Picnic with friends and families and coworkers to enjoy watching beautiful blooming cherry blossoms. Usually alcohol included. season. Many flea markets and fun events. You can get fun encounters too.

This park is Inokashira, not Inogashira, don't need to be voiced. This is very famous park in the countryside or in the places having a lot of houses. But you can come here easily by train. Also there are some trains to come, so it is very convenient. Many people come here at any time. But especially in the season of cherry blossoms blooming and leaves turning yellow, too many people to imagine come here. This is because this becomes incredibly beautiful. If you have some time to drop in here, it is better to come, if it is only a few minutes!!

Good place to walk. Located close to the Kichijoji Station. The park has a big pond, and is it the starting point of Kandagawa River. You can walk around the pond maybe in half an hour. Good place for Hanami in April. Many visitors do not go to "Nishien", western park, but it is also a good place to walk. The park has a zoo. Although it is not too much exciting, it is a good place for calming your mind. You can see Hanako, the oldest elephant in Japan.

Love Inokashira Park. Have been relaxing there (drinking, jogging, walking, eyeing beautiful women) for 15 years and counting. After an afternoon of hard relaxing, swing by "2Papas" in Kichijoji for an authentic, American-style steak sandwich and a pint or cocktail. Good atmosphere and a great mix of locales, Japanese and foreigners.

We walked through this park from Kichijoji Station to get to StudioGhibli and suffice to say that Miyazaki chose the spot for his studio BECAUSE it was near Inokashira park and he envisioned it to be part of the whole experience of visiting Ghibli. Although we went in Dec, it was still delightful to see and we saw kids playing like it wasn't cold at all!