Thoroughly enjoyed paddling on a lake in a swan boat. Although we missed the sakura (cherry blossoms) we picked a beautiful 24 degree C weekday to visit in late April and it was not very busy. You can buy tickets from a machine at the front of the boat jetty, just 800 yen per boat for 30 minutes (which will be enough for the average person without tiring). Surrounding the lake are a variety of trees and plants. On the day we visited there was a large group of school children painting trees and landscapes around the lake and the sound of their excitement added to our enjoyment of the park. There are toilets and food shops around the park, and the pathways are a mix of concrete and gravel. It rained a bit the day before we went, but there was not a lot of mud of water on the paths. Overall the park was peaceful, and a nice way to spend a couple hours in Tokyo.

Inokashira Park, which is not far from the noisy Kichijoji Station and spreads a little further south, is a symbol of Kichijoji and Musashino City. It is divided into several zones, including the park and the Ghibli Forest. I have only experienced a small part of the area near Kichijoji Station. Hanami is famous in spring. I am surprised that there is such a quiet and rich nature when you leave the hustle and bustle of Kichijoji. On Saturday mornings, there were a variety of people - walking, running, reading on the bench.

This park features a rather large pond with swan paddle boats, walking paths, athletic fields, and even a zoo. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the pond and over the bridges. It was very quiet and relaxing. The trees were gorgeous and green. I can only imagine how beautiful it would be with the Sakura blossoms in the Spring and the changing colors in the Fall. Just outside the park, you'll find many boutique shops and restaurants. My wife found a great small store that was cat-themed and I found a very impressive used T-Shirt shop.

I visited the week after the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, when the leaves had already fallen, so the park wasn't too crowded. Although I missed the cherry blossoms, the rhododendrons, azaleas, irises, and Japanese yarrows were in full bloom, and it was fun to stroll around looking at them. The boat pond here is a little smaller than the neighboring ones, so when it's crowded it can be difficult to change direction on the water, so I recommend going early. It's not that far to go around the edge of the pond, but you can move between the aquatic park and the zoo, so families can spend the whole day in the park without the kids getting bored, and I think it's perfect for a holiday picnic.

It was a very good park with all the good spaces and facilities for its accessibility in Tokyo! Enjoy the view, get on the boat and enjoy the space with lots of little squirrels. I enjoyed a very nice date with my elementary school daughter.