Inokashira Park

The major attraction in Kichijouji and Mitaka's is undoubtedly the Inokashira Park. This was the foremost garden established by a monarch open to the public. Its individuality is the stretched out lagoon around which the park is formed. The lake is divided by a bridge and pleasure boats are available for dating couples or families that flock at weekends.

The park possesses a place of worship devoted to Benzaiten, the Goddess of property, good looks, entertainment and love. However, this one must be a cruel one, as it is believed that couples courting in the park will come apart soon afterwards. This spell is thought to mainly take effect on couples, which venture out on the pond in boat.

The award-winning novelist, Osamu Dazai, strangely committed suicide here with his beloved in 1948.

At weekends and public holidays, an excess of vendors, musicians, performers and portraitists get together in the park. Cultural goods from India and Nepal as well as hand-made and second-hand clothes are sold by (ex-) backpackers. This is especially the case during the cherry blossom season when the entire park is overrun with visitors for the occasion of hanami. Inokashira cites a world apart from the stereotypes of salary men and stylish brand-bag girls found in Shinjuku or Ginza.

Opening date-1 May 1918
Land area-383,773 m2
Number of trees-Tall trees: 11,060 / Shrubs: 12,800 / Lawn: 10,000 m2
Variety of plants-Cherry trees, cypresses, red pines, azaleas
Nearest station-5min walk from Kichijoji (JR Chuo line), 1min walk from Inokashira Koen (Keio Inokashira line)

On the southwest end of Inokashira Park is the Ghibli Museum. This museum is a popular destination dedicated to the animated productions of Studio Ghibli.

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