 Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park
History  Layout Hours Admission Access
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park has to be one of Tokyo's most "enchanted" green spaces. Tucked away just off Gaien Nishi-dori avenue, behind Hiro-o Station, surrounded by foreign embassies, the Park is a tranquil retreat. It can seem, however, as much a jungle, packing a surprising degree of natural variety into a piece of land the size of a city block.
History
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park was originally the urban villa of a feudal lord, Minonokami Nambu. In 1896 it was acquired by the noble Arisugawa-no-miya family. However, as Japan modernized, more and more importance began to be placed on the role of nature in educating children, and the family donated the land to Tokyo city in 1934 as a park for that purpose.Tokyo city set to work redeveloping it, and Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park was born in the same year. In 1975, the Tokyo metropolitan authority transfered the administration of the park to the local ward office of Minato.
Layout
The area of the park is divided into five:
-the green forested dell at the bottom,
-a large plaza higher up dominated by an equestrian statue at one end
-a children’s playground adjacent to it on the forested side,
-a large circular “chill-out” lawn (in the warmer months) on the other side, and, facing this lawn,
-the Tokyo Metropolitan Library.
The forested dell features streams, waterfalls, ponds and bridges, which, by Tokyo park standards, do not take up that great an expanse of land. However, because it is nestled in a small valley, it is tiered, meaning the walkways of stepping stones, or just dirt, rise and fall, and twist and turn. This plus the density and variety of the flora gives the impression of being somewhere you could almost get lost in – and certainly not the feeling of being within shouting distance of civilization.
Also, the cacophony of the wildlife has to be heard to be believed. It could well be the full on aural experience of trills, chirps, caws, buzzes and warbles that really endows this park with its magic.
Rising above the landscape is a golden trumpet-blowing angel at the top of the spire of the Tokyo Mormon Temple across the road, adding another aspect to many of the landscapes available within the Park.
A signboard at the entrance from Hiro-o Station has reproductions of the sixteen main species of bird that inhabit the park. It is equally rich in insect life, and the huge variety of trees and plants means that there is something different happening any season of the year. The plum trees, flowering dogwood and water lilies are a treat in spring, and in fall the park is colored by the maples.
Walk to the very top of the park for the children's playground and the plaza mentioned above. The equestrian statue of His Royal Highness Taruhito Arisugawa-no-miya is the biggest statue, but not the only one. Check out, also, the little Newspaper Delivery Boy and the Youth Playing a Flute.
The park has bicycle parking inside the main gate (i.e. the one nearest Hiro-o Station). Fishing in the ponds is allowed. Feeding the pigeons is not.
Hours
Open 24 hours, 365 days.
Admission
Free
Access
From Hiro-o Station (Hibiya subway line), turn left out of Exit 1 and immediately left again. Turn left at the end of the street and it's in front of you. 2 minutes.
From Roppongi Hills in Roppongi, from inside the West Walk of Mori Tower, follow the signs to the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, go downstairs, out the doors and go left. 11 minutes.
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