Inokashira Park
Are you seeking a Tokyo escape that blends nature, culture, and photo opportunities? Inokashira Park has everything – flowers, wildlife, serene waters, and even history. Capture spring cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, or a romantic (possibly cursed!) swan boat ride. A visual playground awaits your camera. Let’s dive into this must-visit photography spot!
The park is big, and the most noticeable thing about it is the trees. They cover it. Summer can get very hot in Tokyo, and the branches provide welcome shade. It’s a place to escape the concrete jungle.
Many flowers are also in the park. There are azaleas and hydrangeas. Every season has its unique color. But spring is the main drawcard.
Why? Because that is the time for cherry blossoms! The trees are throughout the park. They bring huge crowds. Everyone wants their hanami parties. Winter is gone, and life returns. Tokyoites get outdoors!
The pond is the best place for the cherry blossoms. They transform the pond. Visitors take to it on rowboats and paddleboats that are available for rent.
People rent them all year. But the cherry blossom season is the most popular. Some want time on the water for exercise. Others want to be romantic with a partner, and others want to have fun with friends. Whatever the reason, they offer photo opportunities.
On fine days, people do all sorts of things at Inokashira Park. They go for picnics; walk their dogs; paint, pray at the temple; ride those boats; go to one or two of its zoos, or even jog. It is a place to enjoy. No wonder Tokyoites love it so much.
Other parks in the city have Edo-period ties. They show Tokyo`s rich history and are cultural showpieces. An example of those would be Kiyosumi Gardens. Kiyosumi is amazing and on my recommended list.
A few are more modern, formal gardens. They have flowers, tree-lined lanes, or manicured gardens. One of those is Shinjuku Gyoen. It’s only a short train ride away.
Inokashira is different. People go there for fun and relaxation. Can you see what I’m getting at? There is a lot to see and do. If you are a photographer, it is a great place. Go there and take pictures! You won’t regret it.
What to photograph at Inokashira Park
My list includes:
- Buskers
- Flowers (2022 cherry blossoms pics here)
- the pond
- Jizo statues in the park
- Paddle and rowboat
- Sunrises and sunsets over the pond can be stunning
- Temple of Benzaiten
- Wildlife (especially birds)
- Zoo
The best time to photograph
With much to photograph, there are many answers. Here are a few ideas:
- Spring for cherry blossoms
- Summer for hydrangeas
- Autumn for beautiful leaves
- Dawn and late afternoon for bird photography
Nearby photo spots
- Ghibli Museum
- Inokashira Park Zoo
- Kichijoji (lots of shops, restaurants, etc.)
- Nogawa Park
Where is Inokashira Park?
Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Train access
- Kichojoji Station: Chuo, Keio-Inokashira, Sobu and Tozai lines. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the park
- Inokashira-Koen Station: Keio-Inokashira Line (it’s in the park)
Opening hours
Always open
Entry costs
None
The unusual vending machine
This isn’t photo-related, but a new culinary experience is there. Find the unusual vending machine. It sells bread, canned grasshoppers, and bee larvae!! I’m warning you, they are expensive!
A brief history of Inokashira Park
- When Ieyasu Tokugawa came to Edo, his castle didn’t have a suitable source of freshwater. He tasked his son, Hidetada, with finding it. Inokashira Pond had what they needed. To carry it, he built a new river, the Kanda. Today, you can still see where the river and the park join.
- In the Meiji period, the city bought the land. It put control under the Ministry of the Imperial Household’s control. But it passed back in 1913.
- In 1917, the name was changed to Inokashira Onshi Kōen (Inokashira Imperial Grant Park).
Conclusion
Inokashira Park is a great Tokyo photo spot. It has much for photographers. And once you are finished, head to the Kichijoji station area. That area is fun to explore too. You could spend a whole day there.
If you don’t know, the temple in the park is dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. Rumor says she is a jealous deity and cursed the pond’s swan boats. Any couple that rides them is bound to break up. I don’t believe in that, but many people do. Who knows, it might be true. Let us know if you have experience with it!
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More park articles
External related websites
- Inokashira Park (official website)