Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park is a municipal park straddling the Musashino and Mitaka areas in western Tokyo, established as a public park in 1917. It is one of the city’s well-known green spaces and serves both local residents and visitors to nearby Kichijoji.

The park’s main feature is a large central pond with islands and ornamental bridges, where rowboat rentals operate in warmer months. Additional attractions include a small zoo and aquarium, a lakeside Benzaiten shrine, and extensive walking paths that are particularly popular during cherry blossom season.

The park was developed from older woodland and water features into a municipal park in the early 20th century and has been maintained as a public recreation area since. Over time amenities such as the zoo and lakeside facilities were added to serve visitors.

Geographically the park sits in western Tokyo near the Kichijoji neighbourhood and is within walking distance of Mitaka and Kichijoji stations. The Ghibli Museum lies to the west of the park and is frequently visited on the same trip.

• Cherry blossoms: Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws heavy local crowds along the pond's shoreline paths.
• Boating: Boat rentals operate on the central pond and are a popular activity in warmer months.

What to See #

• Central pond: The central pond that covers a large portion of the park, used for boat rentals and ringed by walking paths and cherry trees.
• Inokashira Park Zoo: A small municipal zoo with a focus on local fauna and a children's area, located on the park's eastern side.
• Benzaiten shrine: A lakeside Shinto shrine dedicated to Benzaiten located on a small island in the pond, accessed by a footbridge.