My Favorite Parks in Japan

Japan has a deep appreciation of nature as evidenced by the popularity of forest bathing, or shinrinyoku: being present while immersed in the natural environment. Luckily, there is no shortage of beautiful parks to explore there. Here is a list of five well-planned public parks in Japan that are all free to visit but may have additional entrance fees for certain areas or attractions. This list is by no means comprehensive – these are just parks I have personally visited and enjoyed. I’m sure there are many other beautiful parks in Japan, and I hope to see them on future trips! 

Inokashira Park – Tokyo, Japan

Have tickets to the wonderful Ghibli Museum celebrating the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli? On your way there, take a walk through Inokashira Park in western Tokyo, located partly in Musashino City and partly in Mitaka City near the hip Kichijōji area. The centerpiece of this park, popular with the locals, is Inokashira Pond, where visitors can rent rowboats, pedal boats, and the iconic swan-shaped boats. Other recreational facilities include athletic fields and tennis courts. Also along the pond is a red shrine dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. Food and drink concessions are nestled throughout the park, so visitors can enjoy some refreshments sitting on a bench under the shade of the trees while admiring the lovely water views. Inokashira Park is a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms and plum blossoms when they are in bloom in the spring.

Yoyogi Park – Tokyo, Japan

Right in metropolitan Shibuya within walking distance of Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Street is Yoyogi Park, a massive public park covering 134 acres that once served as the site of the Olympic Village when Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964. This park is at once relaxing and exciting. On any given day, you might see people playing Frisbee, holding photo shoots, picnicking on the grass, training for sporting events, or walking their dressed-up dogs. The park is especially bustling with activity on the weekends when the now-iconic rockabilly dancers donning 1950s outfits and hair perform for large crowds. Its lively atmosphere does not distract from the natural beauty of its forested areas and verdant trees arching over the walkways.

Maruyama Park – Kyoto, Japan

Maruyama Park is a designated Place of Scenic Beauty situated among many historic sites in the Higashiyama District of eastern Kyoto. It’s a great place to rest in between visits to nearby places like Yasaka Shrine, Chion-in, Kōdai-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera. The Gion District is within walking distance to the west. The park is replete with greenery, ponds, bridges, statues, resting areas, and food and beverage concessions. It even houses the three-starred Michelin restaurant Mizai. In the spring, it becomes one of Kyoto’s most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing. There are several ryokan (Japanese inns) bordering the park. Why not stay at one and start off each day with a lovely walk through the park on the way to the many temples and historic sites around Kyoto?

Nara Park – Nara, Japan

With more than 1,600 acres to explore, Nara Park is full of places to see and things to do. The most popular activity is feeding the more than 1,200 deer that roam freely through the park. You can buy special biscuits to feed them, but keep in mind that once the usually docile deer spot you holding their food, they will not hesitate to swarm you and get all up in your personal space. Aside from the many deer, Nara Park is also home to the culturally important historic sites of Tōdai-ji temple, Kōfuku-ji temple, and Kasuga-taisha shrine, as well as the Nara National Museum and Shōsō-in treasure house. Several festivals are held throughout the year, and there are lots of vendors selling Nara souvenirs you can pick up for your friends and family back home. If you are too tired after all that walking, you can take an entertaining rickshaw ride back to the station offered by the many rickshaw operators around the park.

Ōhori Park & Maizuru Park – Fukuoka, Japan

Since these two parks are adjacent to one another, it is very easy to visit both in the same trip.

Ōhori Park

Once serving as a moat for Fukuoka Castle in southwestern Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, Ōhori Park’s large pond is now encircled by paths perfect for strolling, jogging, or cycling while taking in the fresh air and sweet-smelling pines. Three thin islands run through the center of the pond: the Sweet Flag Island, Pine Island, and Willow Island. Willow Island is where visitors will find the red and green Ukimi Pavilion, a focal point of the park standing above the pond’s surface overlooking the cityscape. Boats are rented out seasonally for those wishing to cruise leisurely through the water. For an additional fee, guests can enter the Japanese traditional garden south of the pond. The park also contains the Fukuoka Art Museum, Ōhori Park Noh Theater, a Starbucks, and two playgrounds.

Maizuru Park

Maizuru Park will transport you through history. It is the site of the ruins of Fukuoka Castle, originally built in the 17^th century during the feudal era. Only a few walls and turrets remain, but it is still worth a visit to see a designated Historic Site of Japan. This park also offers incredible views of Fukuoka City from its higher elevated areas. During cherry blossom season, festivals are held as the flowers come into bloom.

Final Thoughts

I hope you get the opportunity to spend some time enjoying the fresh air and the outdoors at these wonderful parks. They’re the perfect places to get a sense of the plants and trees (and, in the case of Nara, the wildlife!) native to Japan. If you’ve visited these or any other parks in Japan that you really liked, let me know in the comments!

 

(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)

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