Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park, A Large Park Built Around A Spring Fed Pond In Western Tokyo Beside Kichijoji, With Swan Boats, An Old Shrine To The Goddess Benzaiten, A Small Zoo And Cherry Blossoms That Hang Over The Water. Weekend Crowds And Street Performers. · Musashino, Tokyo
Inokashira Park is a large park in Musashino, western Tokyo, centred on a spring-fed pond beside Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo line. It opened in 1917 as one of Japan's first suburban parks - confirm. The pond is said to be a source of the Kanda River, which runs east through the city. Visitors rent swan boats and rowboats, and a local legend says couples who ride together will split up, a story told with a smile - confirm. A shrine to Benzaiten stands on the water's edge, and a small zoo - Inokashira Park Zoo - is closed on Mondays - confirm. In late March to April the cherry trees hang over the pond and draw crowds. On weekends street performers and artists set up stalls. Kichijoji's shops and cafes are a few minutes away. The Ghibli Museum is nearby, but tickets must be booked well in advance - confirm. It suits an easy half day, free to enter, and is not worth a long trip unless you also want Kichijoji.
1-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo, a short walk from Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo line, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
The park itself is open all day with no gate and no entry fee. Boat rental commonly runs from about 10:00 to 17:00, with shorter hours in winter and closures in bad weather - confirm. The zoo is commonly open about 9:30 to 17:00, closed on Mondays and the next day if Monday is a holiday - confirm, with a small entry fee. The shrine is open in daylight. From central Tokyo reach Kichijoji in about 20 minutes on the Chuo line, then walk five to ten minutes; IC cards work. Cherry blossom weekends are the busiest. Carry cash for boats, stalls and small shops.