Inokashira Park Travel Guide: A Green Oasis Where You Can Escape the City Noise

Inokashira Park is a historic park that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017.
It was Japan’s first suburban-style park and also the first imperial gift park created from land bestowed by the Imperial family.
From the 1920s to the 1940s, facilities such as a boating area, swimming area, and small zoo were developed one after another, and Inokashira Park Zoo opened in 1942.
After World War II, the park continued to expand, shaping the current form of a park where nature and culture coexist and establishing it as a place of relaxation for Tokyo residents.
According to historical records, the origins of Inokashira Pond date back tens of thousands of years.
Ruins and artifacts from the Paleolithic period, around 100,000 BC to 18,000 BC, have been found nearby, showing that settlements once existed in the area.
It was also chosen as a water source when Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate and worked to develop the water supply system.

The stars of spring are, without question, the Approx. 450 cherry trees that usually reach their best from late March to early April.
Inokashira Park is known as one of Tokyo’s leading cherry blossom spots, and it has even been selected as one of Japan’s 100 best cherry blossom viewing places.
Around 200 of the trees spread their grand branches around Inokashira Pond, and the sight of them in full bloom, stretching out over the water, is truly spectacular.
The pink petals drifting onto the water are also full of charm, making it a wonderful place for strolling and photography amid peaceful scenery.
Another highlight is the long viewing season, with many different varieties blooming one after another, including the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura in West Park.

Autumn at Inokashira Park offers stable weather and a calm atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace.
The main highlight is the fall foliage, which usually reaches its best season from late November to early December.
Centered around Japanese maples, Approx. 90 varieties of maple, ginkgo, and zelkova trees turn red, yellow, and orange, creating richly layered scenery throughout the park.
The leaves around the pond look even more vivid as sunlight filters through them, and in late autumn they make the evening scenery especially beautiful.
Fallen leaves also blanket the ground, spreading out a landscape that looks like a painting.

Inokashira Pond, the symbol of Inokashira Park, is a must-see.
It takes up nearly half of the park, and the Approx. 1.5 km walking path around the pond can be completed in about 30 minutes.
Nature, scenery, and culture are all concentrated here, and a walk along the tree-lined paths gives you a direct feel for the park’s charm.
From fresh greenery in summer to crisp air in winter, you can enjoy the changing seasons, and there are plenty of photogenic scenes, so even just walking is a pleasure.
The view from Nanai Bridge in the center is also not to be missed.
No matter when you visit, the scenery is picture-perfect, with the pleasant calls of wild birds adding to the relaxing atmosphere.

When people think of Inokashira Park, many probably picture the boats.
You can choose from three types, rowboats, pedal boats, and swan boats, and the area gets crowded with many visitors on weekends and during cherry blossom season.
One of the main draws is being able to enjoy a special kind of time and scenery on the water that feels different from exploring on foot.
If you capture the dreamy reflections on the pond in photos, they are sure to become memorable keepsakes from your trip.
It is also a popular date spot for couples, though there is a rumor that couples who ride the boats will break up.
This is an urban legend said to be caused by the jealousy of Benzaiten, who is enshrined at nearby Benten Pond, and it makes for a fun story to share.

Located in West Park, the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is Japan’s first animation museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Studio Ghibli.
The original concept was created by film director Hayao Miyazaki.
With the catchphrase “Let’s get lost together,” the museum features a multilayered, maze-like interior.
There is plenty to see, including unique exhibits that explore the behind-the-scenes process of filmmaking, screenings of original short films, and the Cat Bus for children.
There is no set route, so you can explore freely and enjoy the feeling of becoming the main character in your own story.

Inokashira Park Zoo is a cultural facility that occupies Approx. 30% of the park grounds.
It is divided into the Zoo Main Park, which has the zoo, museum, and sculpture museum, and the Aquatic Life Park Annex, which features an aquarium and waterfowl exhibits, and it keeps around 160 species of living creatures in total.
Visitors can observe a wide variety of animals up close, including fennec foxes and capybaras, and it is popular with both children and adults.
Particularly popular are the Squirrel Trail, where free-roaming squirrels move around freely, and the Guinea Pig Petting Corner, where visitors can actually touch the animals.
There is also a small amusement park on site, making it a great choice for families.

One place worth stopping by during a walk through Inokashira Park is Inokashira Benzaiten, which stands on the southwestern side of Inokashira Pond.
It was founded during the Tengyo era, from 938 to 946, and is a historic shrine that has attracted worshippers since the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868.
Its enshrined deity is Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, and it is said to bring blessings for the arts, learning, and finding love.
The current main hall was rebuilt in the early Showa period, and the graceful vermilion structure appears to float beautifully, making it one of the park’s most memorable sights.
The grounds also feature many points of interest, including the unusual Ugajin statue and Zeniarai Benzaiten, a spot associated with financial luck, making it both calming and enjoyable to explore.

Inokashira Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
By taking part, you can experience the park’s seasons and local culture more deeply and discover new sides of its appeal.
Some of the best-known events are listed below.
Combined with the park’s open atmosphere, each one offers a pleasant way to spend time here.

INOKA is a coffee stand by Inokashira Pond that mainly offers takeaway service.
With the concept of being “a relaxing place to connect with nature,” it is known for its mint-green interior and photogenic drinks and sweets.
Its lineup includes hand-drip coffee made with carefully selected beans, as well as lattes, house-made lemon squash, strawberry milk, and more, so you can choose whatever suits your mood.
Another nice point is the wide range of food, from healthy tofu donuts to hot dogs that are perfect for a light meal, plus shaved ice for dessert.

ISENTEI is an Italian restaurant located behind Inokashira Benzaiten.
This authentic and popular restaurant reopened in 2021 as a renewed version of Isentei, a long-established tea house that dates back to the Edo period.
While preserving the character of the historic building, the space has been designed to bring in the park’s greenery and pond views, creating a calm place to enjoy a meal.
Pizzas are especially popular, including the classic Margherita and the signature Pizza ISENTEI, both baked in-house by a pizza chef who won a silver medal in a world competition.
After your meal, the recommended way to finish is with an espresso made from northern Italian beans.

Café du Lievre Usagikan is a cafe on the west side of Inokashira Park, nestled in an area surrounded by trees.
Designed to resemble a house in Brittany, France, it features a charming white-based interior.
Large windows look out onto the greenery, making it feel as though you are dining in the middle of a forest.
Its most popular menu item is the buckwheat flour galette.
The standard galette with prosciutto, egg, and cheese is especially satisfying, with a pleasantly chewy texture and an excellent balance of ingredients despite its simple style.
They also serve crepes and curry from a sister restaurant, making it a perfect stop during a stroll.

This is the main street of the north side of Kichijoji, stretching from the rotary at the north exit of JR Kichijoji Station to Itsukaichi Kaido Avenue.
The Approx. 300-meter shopping street is lined with more than 150 restaurants and specialty stores.
From long-established local favorites to nationwide chains and shops showcasing the latest trends, there is a wide range of places that make it fun just to walk through.
Stores marked with the “Itten Ippin” sticker have independently developed products or menu items unique to Kichijoji, so even chain stores may offer something you can only try here.
The arcade has a retractable roof, which is another nice feature since you can shop and enjoy street food comfortably even on rainy days.

Just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station, this alleyway is packed with Approx. 100 shops. It is commonly known as Harmonica Yokocho. The name is said to come from the way the narrow-fronted shops lined up like the mouthpiece of a harmonica. There is plenty of delicious food sold here, so eating as you walk is fun, but it is especially popular at night when red lanterns glow and people enjoy drinks at the izakayas. Long-established shops and newly opened cafes coexist here, creating a mix of old and new.

A theme park inspired by the world of picture books. Various shops line the grounds, which have a cute and unique atmosphere.
The largest building, Temari no Oshiro, is a cat cafe themed as a castle built by cats. Inside, many cats roam freely, and visitors can interact with them to their heart’s content. The menu includes everything from handmade sweets to alcoholic drinks, so it is also recommended for lunch.