Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park Photo Guide
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is a favorite for the city’s birds. It has about 200 species of them. A few call it home, but some drop by on their annual migrations. With so many in one place, it’s popular with local birders. I am happy to admit I am one of them!
The park is a fantastic place, considering it is on the edge of a busy port. It’s true. You can see industrial areas and ships outside. Planes often pass overhead. But that doesn’t matter because what is inside is incredible. It has ponds that connect to Tokyo Bay. Tides influence them and bring specific birds.
There are also freshwater ponds that attract their birds. Then, there are the streams, wooded areas, and grassy fields. It is fantastic to think that this ecosystem and its occupants exist inside a massive port area.
Several years ago, I visited it for the first time in August. That means I went in the summer. Getting to the park was a trial, to say the least. The weather was scorching hot and humid, which was typical for Tokyo in that season. I had no car so I walked from Ryutsu Center (the closest train station). Even though it only took fifteen minutes, I ended up in sweat.
Upon entering the wetlands, which the park is, the “sweat meter” went up another notch. Later I realised the best time for birding is either spring or autumn. Summer might be too oppressive for some. Still, visiting in that season wouldn’t be a waste as there is much to photograph.
The park is well-thought-out. It has comforts for humans to observe the birds. Each pond has at least one hut (or large blinds if you prefer) from where you can shoot. They are sparse inside but have chairs and benches.
There is the four-story Nature Center if you want more. It has air conditioning and is spacious. Large windows face a freshwater pond. There are bird books and staff members to talk with (sorry, I can’t guarantee they speak English). The observation areas have free-to-use binoculars. It is an awesome facility.
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park doesn’t have restaurants or kiosks. But it has an open field with tables and benches, so if you want to picnic or have a break, that is no problem. There are many drink machines and toilets too.
The park does have scheduled events on weekends to attract visitors. Still, most of them are in Japanese, with the occasional bilingual event. For more information, contact the admin office for details.
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is an incredible place for bird lovers. Put it on your list of places to visit in the city. The variety of bird life is terrific. It is well worth a visit for any photographer.
A Brief History of the Park
Tokyo Bay covered the area a long time ago! Eventually, it was reclaimed and became the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market. But grasslands remained along the shoreline, which attracted birds. Many people saw the value of protecting them for future generations.
That led to the park opening in October 1989. The markets kept about thirty-eight hectares. Twenty-five was given to the birds. The result was a beautiful nature reserve for the city.
Birds at Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park
A partial list includes:
- Brown-Eared Bulbul
- Common Kingfisher
- Cormorants
- black-winged stilts
- Egrets
- Grebes
- Herons
- Naumann’s Thrush
Problems at the Park
- Summer there is hot and humid. You will be drenched in sweat. Make sure you keep yourself hydrated.
- With birding, the longer your lens, the better. You’ll struggle to capture the birds with smartphones as you need to take photos from paths or huts. The distances will be too great.
- Photographing the ponds at golden hour is impossible. Trees and the sun are behind the blinds. That means shadows cover the water well before sunset.
Bird observation positions
- Four (4) observation huts
- Two (2) blinds
Are binoculars available for loan?
Yes, get them from the ticket office.
Where is Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park?
Address: 3-1 Tokai, Ota City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train station:
Ryutsu Center on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line. It’s then about a sixteen-minute walk to the park.
Opening hours
- February to October: 9 am to 5 pm
- November to January: 9 am to 4:40 pm
You can enter up until 30 minutes before closing time.
The park closes every Monday
If Monday is a national holiday or Tokyo Citizens’ Day the park will open and close the following Tuesday.
Closed over New Year’s holidays (usually December 29 to January 3).
Admission costs
¥300
Other birding spots in Tokyo
Conclusion
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is incredible for birding. The variety of birdlife there is terrific and well worth a visit for any photographer. And it isn’t too far from the city center. Come back to check this article in the future, as the pictures will change over time.
If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. And for those birders out there, have you visited this place? Let us know if you have.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
Here are more birding articles:
External related websites
- Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park (official website)