Arisugawa Park

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park (more commonly referred to as Arisugawa Park) is perhaps the most popular expat park in central Tokyo. It is a great little getaway nestled into a large city block in Azabu just behind Hiroo station where many of the city’s foreign embassies are located.

The park is built into a hill so it has several tiers – there is a heavily wooded area at the bottom with streams, bridges and a pond. On a tier above, there is a large plaza with an adjacent children’s playground. On the other side of that, is the Tokyo Metropolitan Library with an open lawn in front which is a great spot for lounging in the summer.

Plush and packed with a surprising variety of greenery, Arisugawa park is a much-needed jungle retreat in the heart of Tokyo. It’s a little slice of tranquility and a great place to enjoy the outdoors – walking, bird watching, picnicing, cherry blossoms, and even fishing. Locals gather there almost every day to fish in the small pond near the entrance across from the National Azabu Supermarket.

History

During the Edo period, the Arisugawa park land belonged to Minonokami Nambu, a feudal lord who used it as an urban villa. The park land was acquired by the noble Arisugawa-no-miya family in 1896. In 1934, the noble Arisugawa-no-miya family kindly donated the land to Tokyo city to help educate children more about nature. Tokyo city promptly re-developed the land and opened it as a public park later that same year. In 1975, administration for the park was given over to Minato ward where it remains today.

View Arisugawa Park in a larger map

Access by Train

2 minute walk from Hiroo Station (Hibiya Subway Line). Turn left out of Exit 1 and immediately left again. Turn left at the end of the street.

Address: 5-7-29 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3583-4151Open: All year around
Admission: Free
Bicycle Parking: Available