Tokyo is known for its hustle and bustle atmosphere and concrete jungle, but these 5 parks provide a serene escape for calm relaxation.
5. Toyama Park (Shin-Okubo)
Toyama Park is a hidden gem in Tokyo’s “Korea Town” known as Shin-Okubo, just one stop from the iconic Shinjuku station on the Yamanote Line. During autumn, this park is abundant in stunning golden brown trees at every corner, featuring majestic walkways through piles of crisp golden leaves.
4. Yoyogi Park (Shibuya)
Yoyogi Park is the central park of Tokyo’s famous Shibuya City. Featuring a massive land mass of 0.54 square kilometers, it stretches from the Shibuya shopping district all the way through to Meiji Shrine and Harajuku station. During Christmas, the entire park lights up for the annual Blue Cave Illumination festival, where you can enjoy live performances, food stalls, and stunning fluorescents in this blue paradise of Tokyo!
3. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku)
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is essentially Shinjuku’s national park and very much has a New York central park vibe. A patch of nature amidst the concrete jungle of the busiest city in the Kanto region, it offers a serene escape from the noise and scenic spots for quiet reflection and nature appreciation. I particularly like the big central pond where the trees perfectly reflect against the water, and families and friends gather around the grass for picnics and fun!
2. Inokashira Park (Musashino/Mitaka)
Inokashira Park is easily the best park in Western Tokyo, and arguably the best in all of Tokyo, in my humble opinion. A short walk from the Studio Ghibli Museum and the iconic Nakano Broadway, it is located between the cities of Musashino and Mitaka. The park itself is a paradise of stunning lakes, tall trees that turn gold in autumn, and pleasant walkways that pass through cultural shrines and temples. You can also opt for a boat ride on one of those swan-like pedal boats for just 700 yen per half-hour, allowing you to see the park in a unique way.
1. Senzokuike Park (Ota)
Senzokuike Park is the mother of all hidden gems in Tokyo. The park is located in Ota, a small city that is commonly known as Tokyo’s International Airport City due to its convenient location near Haneda Airport. The main attraction of Senzokuike Park is the Senzoku Pond, in fact, Senzokuike literally means “Senzoku Pond” in the first place, so you could potentially call it “Senzoku Pond Park.” In the evening, the pond looks absolutely magical with its navy blue tint and the walkways are perfectly lit up with just enough brightness from the lamp posts as to provide vision without ruining the cozy atmosphere of the park.
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