Parks in Tokyo - Mizumoto Park
Mizumoto Park (水元公園 Mizumoto-koen) is the largest park within the 23 Wards of Tokyo. Located at the northeastern edge of Tokyo, this park may only be familiar to residents of the surrounding districts, but it is one of the best places in Tokyo to kick back and enjoy the outdoors on the weekends.
A vast greenery location in Tokyo 23 Wards
Mizumoto Park, located in Katsushika ward of Tokyo, is a waterside park alongside a pond that once supplied water to local farms. When it first opened in 1965, the park was just an empty field with young trees planted. Over the years, those trees have grown and transformed the place into a forest park in a city. Mizumoto Park today has a variety of trees, including Poplar, Metasequoia, Bald cypress, and Sweetgum, which feature the landscape of Mizumoto Park.
The park is about 96.6 ha, almost 135 football pitches in size.
For locals, the park is a favored spot for jogging or walking.
People enjoy their time in their own way
Mizumoto Park gets lively during the holidays, with many people coming to enjoy their time. Laughter and the sounds of cheerful gatherings fill the air, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
"When I visited on a weekend, I saw a group taking romantic wedding photos in front of the entrance to the forest garden, just 5 meters away from kids playing badminton. On another visit, I saw a woman playing the Japanese banjo (shamisen) while sitting on a bench next to two girls who were dancing hip-hop. I enjoy eating my sandwich with coffee while watching others enjoy themselves like that."
Peaceful places are still there
Despite the lively atmosphere of Mazumoto Park, it remains a peaceful option for quiet time. Covering approximately 96.6 hectares—equivalent to nearly 135 football pitches—the park is large enough to offer tranquil areas hidden within its forest. You can take a leisurely stroll through these wooded sections, chat with friends on a shaded bench, or have a picnic on the spacious lawn.
A tranquil walking path leads to a bird sanctuary
As you approach from the left side of the park entrance, you can reach a forest zone with walking paths beside the pond. Along the walking path, there is a bird sanctuary known to bird-watching/photographing lovers, where visitors can observe various birds - Kingfishers, Goshawks, Herons, and Long-tailed Tits, which are rarely seen in other areas of the Tokyo 23 wards.
More fun with various leisure activities
Mizumoto Park is a spot not only to chill out in the greenery, but also to experience outdoor activities. The park has a lot to offer for leisure facilities, including a playground, barbecue spots, a dog run, a camping site, as well as spacious lawns and water gardens. A sports climbing center that recently opened in the park is making the park a hangout spot for visitors of all ages looking to have some fun and relax.
Mizumoto Park also has facilities to learn about the flora and fauna of the park. If you walk to the right from the park entrance towards the edge of the park, you will see a small biological display. Close to this display, there is a goldfish exhibit operated by Katsushika City.
The exhibition place is free for admission, but it has a gate to keep animals from coming inside.
Watching the lovely goldfish swim leisurely is truly soothing, another wind-down moment on a day off.
Don’t miss the seasonal flowers at Mizumoto Park.
Mizumoto Park is known for its cherry blossom viewing, as the roads surrounding the park are lined with cherry blossom trees. The park also features flower gardens, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal beauty.
- Ume Plum blossoms in Winter (February)
- Sakura blossoms in Spring (late April)
- Japanese Iris in early Summer (late May)
- Lotus in Summer (July and August)
- Red Metasequoia in late November
The north side of the pond is another park in Saitama Prefecture called Misato Park. The facing park also has Sakura trees, which you can view from the Mizumoto Park.
Getting to Mizumoto Koen Park
Mizumoto Park (水元公園 Mizumoto-koen) is located in Katsushika City in the Tokyo 23 wards. The nearest station is Kanamachi Station 金町駅 on the JR Joban Line/ Chiyoda Line (Tokyo Metro Subway) or Keisei Kanamachi Station 京成金町駅 on the Keisei Line.
Walking from Kanamachi Station
Mizumoto Park is about 2km away from Kanamachi Station, a 25 - 30 minute walk.
By Bus
Bus services are also available from Kanamachi Station. From a bus stop at the North Exit, take a Keisei bus (bound for 戸ヶ崎操車場 or 西水元三丁目行き) and get off at the bus stop "Mizumoto-koen (水元公園)." A 8 to 10 min. ride) From the bus stop to the park entrance, it is about a 7-minute walk. (400m)
The bus does not run frequently. Walking directly from Kanamachi Station may be a better option than taking the bus.
Loop Bus Services
On weekends and holidays from March to November, a loop bus operates around the park. The bus departs from South Exit No. 7 at Kanamachi Station.
Paid parking lots
The park has 3 parking lots.
Fees: 200 JPY per hour, plus 100 JPY every 30 minutes extended, up to 800 JPY/ 12 hours.
*On weekends, the parking lots fill up quickly.
Dog run
The use of the dog run is free of charge, but member registration is required. To check the membersip, see the official website.
BBQ site
BBQ-ing at the site is free of charge, but booking is required. BBQ gear rental with food service is available. To find the fees and booking requirements, see the official website.
Camping site
The camping site in the park is intended for educational purposes for kids. Kids in a group with instructor (at least one or more person for 10 children) can use site for camping. The office in Mizumoto Park accepts application requests for use.
Tokyo Metropolitan Parks Association
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/mizumoto/facility/
Cycling around the park
Mizumoto Park is not easily accessible by public transport, so the best way to reach the park is by bicycle. Once you arrive, you can enjoy riding through the spacious grounds and exploring nearby popular attractions.
From Mizumoto Park, it takes about a 20-minute ride to Taishakuten Temple (帝釈天) in Shibamata (柴又), a town famous for the movie “Otokowa Tsuraiyo,” which resonates with many Japanese people. Even if you don't know about the movie, it is worth visiting the Taishakuten shrine, as its sculptural decoration is a must-see.
Without a bike? Consider walking to Shibamata from the park, which takes about 70 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train on the Keisei line from Keisei Kanamachi Station to Keisei Shibamata Station, just one stop away.
Related Information
Google Maps - Kanamachi Station and Mizumoto Koen Park
Mizumoto Park by Tokyo Metropolitan Parks Association
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/mizumoto/index.html
Kanamachi Sports Climbing Center by Katsushika Ward Sports Facility
https://spo.katsushika-web.net/facility/higashikanamachi-climbing/
Taishakuten Temple by Katsumaru Guide
https://www.katsushika-kanko.com/guide/history/89.html
Related article on digi-joho: Edogawa Cycling Road
https://tokyo.digi-joho.com/trips-excursions/saitama-misato-cycling.html
