Kinuta Park

In short

Kinuta Park is a comprehensive park centered around lawn open spaces, located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. Its predecessor was a large green space planned as part of the 2,600th Imperial Year Commemorative Project, developed as a park that families could enjoy together.

• ​Family Park​​: A grassy open space retaining the gentle undulations from its time as a golf course, planted with about 840 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura (mountain cherry).
• ​Bird Sanctuary​​: A protected reserve where a woodland is enclosed by fences; wild birds such as spot-billed ducks and little egrets can be viewed through observation windows.
• ​Yatogawa Suspension Bridge​​: The Yatogawa River flows through the park, and at its furthest upstream point stands a suspension bridge, a rare sight within Tokyo's 23 special wards.

History and Highlights

The predecessor of Kinuta Park was a large green space decided upon in 1940 (Showa 15) as a commemorative project for the 2,600th Imperial Year. During the war, it served as an air defense green space, and after the war, it was opened as a metropolitan golf course. It opened as a park in April 1957 (Showa 32).

The theme of its development was a park that could be enjoyed by whole families. Making use of the natural terrain, areas were laid out for the Family Park—consisting of lawn plazas and woods—and for sports facilities. The park is situated on the edge of the Musashino Plateau, with the Yatogawa River flowing from north to south through the grounds.

The Family Park features about 840 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura, and is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers in spring. Many are large trees with branches extending close to the ground, allowing visitors to see the blossoms at eye level.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Family Park Lawn​​: Located on the west side of the park, the Family Park is an open space that retains the gentle undulations of its golf course days. On sunny holidays, circles of families spreading out bento lunches can be seen. Bringing dogs or riding bicycles into the Family Park is not permitted.
• ​Bird Sanctuary​​: A reserve surrounded by fences protecting trees such as konara oak, sawara cypress, and Japanese snowbell, featuring a pond inside. More than a dozen species of wild birds, including spot-billed ducks and little egrets, visit here, and their activities can be viewed from observation windows.
• ​Suspension Bridge and the Slopes of the Seasons​​: Spanning the furthest upstream part of the Yatogawa River is a suspension bridge, which is rare in the 23-ward area. In addition, the park features slopes divided into eight seasons, where both sides of the path are planted with trees that blossom and plants that bear fruit according to each season.

Walking Tips

It is about a 20-minute walk from Yoga Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line. Around the Family Park is a 1.75-kilometer cycling course where visitors can bring and ride their own bicycles. After taking a break on the grassy lawn, try extending your walk to the Yatogawa suspension bridge and the Bird Sanctuary.