Shinjuku Central Park, An Urban Oasis of Serenity and Greenery

2 Chome 11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku ward, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

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Introduction

Located behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Central Park is a park in the suburban center that provides an oasis for surrounding residents. It is the third largest green space in Shinjuku ward and the largest among Shinjuku's municipal parks. The park covers an area of 88,000 square meters and consists of three areas - East, West, and North - connected by a park bridge. The park's history dates back to 1960 when it was included in the plans for the development of Shinjuku's suburban center. It opened in 1968 as a metropolitan park and was later transferred to the jurisdiction of Shinjuku ward in 1975. After a series of large-scale renovations, the park gradually took on its present form. The East area features a "multi-purpose sports square" with facilities such as a running track and a 5-a-side soccer field. The West area has a popular "splash pool" and children's play area, while the North area offers a "citizens' forest," "ecological park," "water plaza," "lawn plaza," and a "sports zone." The park is known as an oasis of green in the city, catering to the needs of different users such as surrounding residents, businesspeople working in high-rise office buildings, OLs, and foreign tourists.