Compared to its fancy and well-manicured counterpart like Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Koen, is the park for locals to go to for just about anything - dance rehearsals, dog walking or evening jogs - right beside the Meiji Shrine, in the heart of the city in Shibuya. Yoyogi Koen, today a city park, has its roots as a US military barracks post-Second World War and later, the athletes village during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
It's a park that slows you down and reminds you of the lighter side to life - right from the park entrance.
A Park for the Masses - Get to meet everyday people doing everyday things.
It's a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring but the golden ginkgo forest in autumn is also not-to-be-missed. But come winter, the gingko trees turns bare and the gold blankets the ground instead.
Deeper in the park, discover the pond fountain.
Apparently there's a cycling centre, but that's an adventure for another time.
Cost: free
Access: JR Harajuku Station / Odakyu Line Yoyogi-Hachiman (5 min walk)
Related Posts:
Japan Day 3 – Tokyo, Day 3:
- Shinjukugyeon National Garden 1 (where some cherry blossom trees bloomed)
- Shinjukugyeon National Garden 2
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories (for a free panoramic view of the city)
- Meiji Jingu Shrine (disguised as a guide to visiting shrines)
- Yoyogi Park
- Shibuya (seeing Tokyo in a different light)
- Roppongi
