Tokyo Traveling: Arisugawa Park

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Owsianka
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  One of the most interesting aspects of living in another country is being able to explore and see what the host nation has to offer. Living on the outskirts of Tokyo, the largest and most-populated metropolitan city in the world, provides a multitude of attractions to explore.

If you are looking for an environmental adventure, there is a fascinating location in the outskirts of Tokyo.

The Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park is a unique place to visit in Minato, Tokyo, for people who enjoy nature and/or fishing. This family friendly park is enjoyable for anyone who enjoys scenery.

The area covers 67,131 square meters that are home to multiple hills and valleys, ponds and densely wooded areas that have been arranged with natural terrain. In addition to the beautiful terrain, there are multiple areas provided for people to eat throughout the park.

There are two tiers in the park: the lower section is a heavily wooded area with streams, waterfalls, bridges and ponds. In the upper section, there is a large plaza with an adjacent children's playground. The plaza is also home to an equestrian statue of Prince Arisugawa Taruhito, with smaller statues of a newspaper delivery boy and the youth playing a flute.

During the Edo period, between 1603 and 1868, the land was used as an urban villa. In 1896, it was acquired by the Arisugawa-no-miya line of the Imperial family, and then was passed on to the Prince Takamatsu line. Out of a great personal interest in promoting children's health and education about nature, Takamatsu donated 36,325 square meters of land for the park on Jan. 5, 1934. The city immediately began construction and the park was opened on Nov. 17, 1934.

In the area surrounding Arisugawa Park, there is the Tokyo Japan Temple, Tokyo Metropolitan Library, and many restaurants and souvenir shops.

The park is approximately a two-minute walk from the Hiro-o Station, and an eight minute walk from the New Sanno Hotel.