Although Tokyo is a big city with many large buildings, it actually has a surprisingly large number of nature spots. If you feel a little tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend visiting one of Tokyo’s nature spots.
In this issue, we will introduce 10 nature spots in Tokyo, including large parks in the city center, gardens where you can also experience Japanese culture, and canyons and mountains where you can enjoy a short train ride away!
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Hibiya Park
Hibiya Park is a park with a history of over 100 years located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Located in the middle of the city, it is a beloved oasis for working and city dwellers. At lunchtime, you can see people working in the area having lunch on the benches. There is a library in the park and many stylish cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area.
Todoroki Valley (等々力渓谷)
Todoroki Valley is a spot where you can feel the great outdoors, just a 20-minute train ride from Shibuya. Many visitors are surprised when they go there for the first time to see so much nature that they cannot believe they are in Tokyo. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and there is also a Japanese garden and a sweet shop.
Ueno Park (上野恩賜公園)
Ueno Park is a park in Tokyo that boasts a vast area. Within Ueno Park, there is the Ueno Zoo, famous for its pandas, as well as art galleries, museums, and other facilities where visitors can experience art and culture. In spring, the park is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot with cherry trees in full bloom.
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Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園)
In Inokashira Park , also known as the “Lover’s Mecca,” you can enjoy a zoo, boat rides, and other fun and relaxing activities. The park is also ideal for picnics, and can be easily visited by parents and children, lovers, friends, and anyone else.
Shinjuku Gyoen（新宿御苑）
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the few landscape gardens in Japan, located a 10-minute walk from the south exit of Shinjuku Station. The park includes a Japanese garden, a French-style garden, a formal garden, and one of the best landscape gardens in Japan. In addition to the gardens, there are many other attractions such as historical buildings and a greenhouse where plants grow.
Rikugien Gardens
Rikugien Gardens is a metropolitan garden located in Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. In the garden, many seasonal plants such as weeping cherry trees and maple trees are planted. There is also a bridge modeled after the Watarigetsukyo Bridge in Kyoto, which makes visitors forget that they are in Tokyo.
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
This garden has a deep history dating back to the Edo period, and offers a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing time. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal flowers and autumn leaves here.
Kiyosumi Gardens
This is a Japanese garden in the “kaiyushiki rinsen-teien” style, in which visitors walk around the garden in a circle to appreciate the beauty of the garden. Visitors can feel the history that has been passed down since the Meiji era. It is a place where you can experience the depth of Fukagawa’s culture.
Meiji Jingu Forest
![Meiji Jingu Sightseeing Guide] Information on the worship course and power spots! Cover image of](https://image.hldy-cdn.com/c/w=1336,h=826,g=5,a=2,r=auto,f=webp:auto/holiday_article_images/6281/6281.jpg?1584421206)
Meiji Jingu Forest is a forest of shrines surrounding Meiji Jingu, one of the most famous shrines in Japan. It is located just a short distance from the bustling areas of Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya, but once you pass through the huge torii gate and enter the grounds, you will find a surprisingly quiet area. Visitors can not only visit the shrine, but also enjoy the lush forest that grows thickly around the approach to the shrine.
Mt. Takao
Mt. Takao, located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, is one of Tokyo’s most famous mountains and can be reached by train from Shinjuku in about an hour. The number of annual climbers reaches approximately 3 million, making it the highest mountain in the world. The low elevation of 599 meters makes it easy to climb, and its natural beauty in each of the four seasons has made it a popular destination for many people.
In addition to its natural attractions, Mt. Takao offers well-maintained mountain trails, tourist facilities from the foot of the mountain to the summit, and gourmet cuisine. Takao has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide and has become even more popular in recent years.
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Introducing Tokyo’s most popular areas
