Nogawa Park is a park for some seasons

Located in western Tokyo is Nogawa Park. It is large and a little unusual as it started life as a golf course! Families love it.  But, I wouldn’t exactly call it a must-see for photographers like the Edo-period parks in Tokyo. This one is seasonal. You go there for specific attractions.

Even though Nogawa is out in the suburbs, a busy road cuts it in two, like Sarue-Onishi Park.  On one side is the Nature Watching Center with its small garden.  It draws nature lovers.  There is also a firefly habit, which is something different.

The other side is more for families and people who want to do active things.  It has kids’ play equipment, athletic tracks, tennis courts, and a kiosk. On summer weekends, many people use it for picnics and BBQs.  With its open spaces and tree-filled forest, it is very popular.

The pictures you see here were from 2021 when I visited in summer and autumn.  The warmer months can be a little bland, but the spider lilies are worth photographing.  When the leaves change color in the latter part of the year, Nogawa Park comes alive.  You’ll see the grounds covered in yellow and red leaves.

What is to photograph at Nogawa Park?

Nogawa is known for its flowers and trees.  Some of those you’ll find are:

• Camphor
• Cherry blossoms
• gerbera
• Himalayan cedar
• Japanese red pine
• maple
• Konara oak
• Spider Lillies
• Zelkova

Where is Nogawa Park?

The park is Tama and Shin-Koganei Stations, on the Seibu-Tamagawa line.  From both, it is about a fifteen-minute walk.

Here is a Google map:

Opening hours

The park is open twenty-fours a day.  But, the Nature Watching Center is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed on Mondays (or the following day if the Monday is a national holiday).  The center is also closed from December 29 to January 3.

Car parking

Available

Admission costs

None.

Public restrooms

Available.

Are tripods/monopods allowed?

Not in the Nature Watching Center’s flower reserve.  In other areas of the park, they are.

WIFI availability 

None

Other photo spots near Nogawa Park

• Chofu Airport

• Inokashira Park

• Jindai Botanical Garden

• Tama Cemetery

Wrapping up

As I mentioned earlier, Nogawa Park isn’t a must-see for photographers in Tokyo.  Flower photographers are lucky, though.  They will find it interesting if they can be there at the right time.  Before you go, check out what is in bloom.  It won’t be fun going there, and your timing is wrong.  

You should check this park out if you’ve seen every other park in Tokyo. But first-time visitors to the city will find it easier to get to places like Shinjuku Gyoen and Yoyogi Park. Those two also have more on offer and are on the Yamanote line. That makes getting to them much easier.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. And if you have been to Nogawa Park, please let us know what you think of it. I’m looking forward to seeing it again in spring next year.