Your Trip to Tokyo: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Beaches Near Tokyo Shopping in Tokyo Top Markets to Visit Food to Try in Tokyo Tokyo's Top Restaurants Nightlife in Tokyo Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Neighborhoods to Know Best Hotels Narita International Airport Guide Haneda Airport Guide Public Transportation 48 Hours in Tokyo Day Trips From Tokyo Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Best Parks in Tokyo Your Trip to Tokyo: The Complete Guide close Overview Asia Japan Tokyo The 10 Best Parks in Tokyo By Robert Schrader Updated on 08/22/19 Share Pin Email Tokyo is the prototypical concrete jungle, with hundreds of skyscrapers spread out over the Kanto plain, covering more than 800 square miles in total. While Tokyo's northerly latitude precludes its from being an actual jungle, the city is surprisingly lush, thanks to a variety of green spaces, large and small, across its footprint. Here are the 10 best parks in Tokyo (and vicinity), no matter the sort of nature escape you've craving. 01 of 10 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden MB Photography / Getty Images View Map Address 11 Naitōmachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan Get directions Phone +81 3-3350-0151 Web Visit website Exploring Shinjuku, whether strolling through Kabukicho or clinking glasses atop the Park Hyatt Tokyo in your own "Lost in Translation" moment, it can be difficult to imagine that one of the best parks in Tokyo is steps away. Yet Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a true oasis in the heart of the urban jungle, boasting more than 1,700 plants spread across 150 acres with more than two centuries of heritage. 02 of 10 Ueno Park Yuuta Kinoshita / Getty Images View Map Address Ueno Park St, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan Get directions Located in northeastern Tokyo a stone's throw from both ancient Senso-ji temple and ultra-modern Akihabara "Electric Town," Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most popular green spaces. Ueno Park covers more than 5 million square feet, and is home not only to hundreds of species of plants and flowers, but also the five-story Kaien-ji pagoda. If you happen to visit Ueno Park on a cloudy or rainy day, fear not: The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum sits within the park's grounds, and perfectly complements the outdoor experience, rain or shine. 03 of 10 Koishikawa Koraku-en Airyuhi / Getty Images View Map When you think of impeccably manicured Japanese gardens, you probably don't imagine that the center of Tokyo is where you can find one. Yet Koishikawa Koraku-en, located in Tokyo's bustling Bunkyo district, is one of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo. It's also one of Tokyo's oldest parks, having been built in the 17th century when the city was still known as Edo. Koishikawa Koraku-en is a great place to visit if you come to Japan for cherry blossoms, but don't arrive too early to see the standard somei yoshino variety at full bloom—many of the sakura in Koishikawa Koraku-en bloom late. 04 of 10 Yoyogi Park TripSavvy / Ryan Smith View Map Address 2-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan Get directions Phone +81 3-3469-6081 Web Visit website If you're looking for the best parks in Tokyo near hectic Shibuya and the wild alleys of zany Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Yoyogi Park is the place to be. This is especially true during cherry blossom season in late March or early April, when Japanese people flock here with their blue tarps and picnic baskets to enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing). It's also possible to see the iconic Harajuku girls in Yoyogi Park if you come on Sundays. Otherwise, come during the week if if rest and relaxation are your priority. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Tokyo Imperial Palace Robert Schrader View Map Address 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan Get directions Phone +81 3-3213-1111 Web Visit website "Tokyo" means "Eastern Capital" in Japanese. Surprisingly enough, Japan's Imperial capital is not only located in Tokyo, but right amid the skyscrapers of the Maranouchi district, just west of Tokyo Station. One of the best Tokyo parks also sits on the grounds of the Imperial Palace (the East Gardens are open to the public for tour). Just north of the Imperial Palace is where you'll find Chidorigafuchi, a moat that's one of the top spots in Tokyo for cherry blossom viewing. 06 of 10 Hamarikyu Gardens Duane Walker / Getty Images View Map Address 1-1 Hamarikyūteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046, Japan Get directions Phone +81 3-3541-0200 Web Visit website At first glance, the wildest thing about Tokyo's Ginza district is the price tag on the some of the fruit sold in its department stores. Cantaloupes in particular seem to sell for a lot, often for hundreds of dollars per piece! However, as lovely as the neon signs and posh sushi bars of Ginza are, the rejuvenating quality of a stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens cannot be denied. After you stroll around the perimeter of this compact park, which juts out into Tokyo Bay, visit the tea house located at its center for a steaming cup of matcha green tea. 07 of 10 Todoroki Valley Dar_st / Getty Images View Map Address 1-1 Todoroki, Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-8577, Japan Get directions Phone +81 44-788-2311 Web Visit website Think you can't find someplace truly wild within Tokyo's city limits? Located in Setagaya ward, which is almost home to Gotoku-ji "beckoning cat" temple, Todoroki Valley (also sometimes known as Todoroki Gorge) definitely doesn't feel like it's 30 minutes away from the world's largest city. In spite of how far away it feels, Todoroki Valley only takes about 30 minutes to walk through, even if you visit atmospheric Fudo Temple. 08 of 10 Mount Takao I Love Photos and Apple / Getty Images View Map Address Mount Takao, Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan Get directions If you want an even wilder escape from central Tokyo, travel further west outside the city and ascend Mount Takao. As much one of the best parks in Tokyo as a bonafide hiking destination in its own right, Mount Takao has long been the destination of choice where stressed Tokyoites go to relax. Ride the Mount Takao cable car up to the observation deck (which is also home to a monkey park), or strap on your hiking boots and ascend it by foot. After exploring the rest of the mountain top, where you can visit Yakuo-in temple, descend back down and visit one of several onsen hot springs before taking the train back into central Tokyo. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Shiba Park Robert Schrader View Map Address Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan Get directions Tokyo Tower is a polarizing landmark. Although designers had good intentions in attempting to disguise a telecommunications tower as an homage to the Eiffel Tower, many people (especially Japanese) find it tacky. Whatever you think of the Tower, however, it's difficult to deny the charm of Shibakoen, the park that sits at it's base. Shiba Park is especially beautiful during spring, when pink and white cherry blossoms perfectly frame the tower from most any angle. 10 of 10 Meiji Jingu Gaien Toshi Sasaki via Getty View Map Address 1-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0013, Japan Get directions Phone +81 3-3401-0312 Web Visit website Around the time of the last Tokyo Olympics, in 1964, Meiji Jingu Gaien was home to the iconic Olympic Stadium, which has sadly since been demolished. That's the bad news. The good news? In addition to the fact that dozens of athletic complexes still exist here, Meiji Jingu Gaien is home to some of Tokyo's lushest acreage. The highlight of this is the so-called "Ginkgo Avenue" is the autumn season in late November and early December, which results in a bright golden color, both on the towering trees and the leaves that line the paths you walk upon. Where to Have a Beach Day Near Tokyo Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit