Wellhead natural culture park, A Serene Cherry Blossom Haven for Couples

The park is right next to the Ghibli Museum

4.3

Introduction

Inokashira Natural Culture Park is located in western Shinjuku, Tokyo, between Kichijoji Station (JR Chuo Line or Keio Inokashira Line) and Mitaka City. It is a spacious leisure and relaxation destination. Every year in April, the park is filled with blooming cherry blossoms, known as the "best cherry blossom viewing spot for couples". The magnificent rows of cherry blossom trees along the pond edge sway in the wind creating a snow-like effect while the lake shines with pink hues. Boating on the lake is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty. During the blooming season, the park is bustling with tourists. Inokashira Natural Culture Park was a gift from Emperor Taisho to his subjects and has been open since 1918 as Japan's first western-style suburban park. The park has a variety of facilities such as lakes, forests, walking paths, tennis courts, zoos, botanical gardens, children's playgrounds, and sculpture museums. Miyazaki Hayao's "Mitaka no Mori Art Museum" is also located inside the park. In addition, there are sports fields and jogging trails in the park. The terrain near the JR station is relatively low, and there are bridges connecting both sides of the pond, making it easy for visitors to choose their sightseeing route. Various waterbirds and colorful carp inhabit the lake, and there is a small shrine for the god of love and water, Benzaiten, behind the lake. In the spring, the sunny park is a beautiful place to visit.