Senzokuike Park

In short

Senzokuike Park is an Ota City park surrounding Senzoku Pond (Senzokuike), a freshwater pond with an area of approximately 3.9 hectares. It is said that the pond came to be called "Senzokuike" (literally "foot-washing pond") from a legend that Saint Nichiren washed his hands and feet here. In 2019, it became the first Place of Scenic Beauty designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Ota City.

• ​Ikezuki Bridge (Ikezukibashi)​​: A three-span arched drum bridge on the west side of the pond, with a statue of the famed horse "Ikezuki" facing it.
• ​Sakurayama and Matsuyama​​: Hills on the north side of the pond planted with Somei Yoshino cherry trees, making this one of the premier cherry blossom viewing spots in the ward.
• ​A Place Associated with Katsu Kaishu​​: On the east side of the pond are the graves of Katsu Kaishu and his wife, as well as a poem monument (Ryukonshihi) dedicated to Saigo Takamori.

History and Highlights

​Senzokuike Park​ is an Ota City park centered around Senzoku Pond. Senzoku Pond is a freshwater pond of approximately 3.9 hectares, making it one of the largest in Tokyo. In the past, it was also called the Great Pond of Senzokugo and served as a reservoir for irrigating fields. It is said to have come to be called "Senzoku Pond" due to a legend that Saint Nichiren stopped by on his way to take hot spring cures and washed his hands and feet in this pond.

During the Edo period, it was known as a scenic spot along Nakahara Kaido and was depicted by Utagawa Hiroshige in his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series in the print "Senzoku no Ike Kesakakematsu" (The Robe-Hanging Pine at Senzoku Pond). In the late Edo period (Bakumatsu), Katsu Kaishu visited this location, and later, in 1891, he established a villa called Senzokuken as his final residence. In March 2019, it became the first Place of Scenic Beauty designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Ota City.

One of the main water sources for the pond is a waterway flowing on the west side of Sakurayama. It gathers water from sources such as the Shimizukubo Spring (designated as an Ota City Natural Monument) and flows into the pond.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Ikezuki Bridge and the Statue of the Famed Horse Ikezuki​​: On the west side of the pond stands the three-span arched drum bridge, Ikezuki Bridge. Facing it is a statue of Ikezuki, the cherished horse of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Looking east from atop the bridge, you can see lush greenery including the aquatic botanical garden, the cherry blossom plaza, and the woods of Myofuku-ji Temple.
• ​Benten Island and Kesakakematsu​​: On Benten Island in the northern part of the pond, the vermilion-lacquered shrine of Benzaiten can be seen through the trees. In the forest of Myofuku-ji Temple on the pond's eastern shore stands the "Kesakakematsu" (Robe-Hanging Pine), associated with Saint Nichiren.
• ​Graves of Katsu Kaishu and His Wife​​: On the east side of the pond are the graves of Katsu Kaishu and his wife, along with the Ryukonshihi poem monument of Saigo Takamori. The gravesite is designated as an Ota City Historic Site.

Walking Tips

It is about a 2-minute walk from Senzoku-Ike Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line. First, stand on the south side of the pond along Nakahara Kaido and look toward the north. In front of you spreads the greenery of Sakurayama and Matsuyama, and in the middle of the pond, you can see the vermilion shrine of Benzaiten. Sakurayama and Matsuyama are planted with Somei Yoshino cherry trees and are one of the finest cherry blossom viewing spots in the ward.

On sunny days, going out onto the pond in a boat is also recommended. The Ota City Katsu Kaishu Memorial Museum is located within the park grounds and can be visited together.