Mizumoto Park (Mizumoto Koen Park), in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, Japan, is the largest park in the 23 special wards of Tokyo. It is renowned for its varied plant life, wild birds, and spectacular view of the Hanami season. Many locals consider it the site of a haunted phone booth.
The park lies along the Shogotamari River, providing a remarkable walkway featuring the 1.2km long walkway bordered with 20m-high poplar trees. The ‘Metasequoia Forest’ is the biggest park-based forest in Tokyo, comprising approximately 1,800 Metasequoia trees. Other attractions in the park include ‘Hanashobu Japanese Iris Garden,’ which is home to around 100 types of irises, Seseragi Square, and a waterbird sanctuary, creating a peaceful atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Table of Contents
Location:
The biggest Park in Tokyo, Mizumoto Park, is located in Katsushika Ward. Katsushika Ward has borders with three special wards, Adachi, Edogawa, and Sumida. Besides, two rivers, Shin-Nakagawa and Nakagawa, flow through the ward.
The park location is significant as two very important parks of the two prefectures lie next to each other, keeping the Shogotamari River in the middle.
Misato Park (Misato Koen) is located in Saitama Prefecture, on another side of the Shogotamari River, and Mizumoto Park (Mizumoto Koen) is on another side of Tokyo Prefecture, and Shogotamari River is in the middle.
Look Mizumoto Koen Park satellite map.
You can look at the park’s Wikipedia to get some ideas if my post is insufficient.
Short History:
Katsushika City has many beautiful parks, such as Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Park, Kamichiba Sunahara Park, and Minamiokudo Park. But these parks are neither big nor beautiful as Mizomoto Park.
The Park was entitled in 1975 as the Edogawa Waterway Metropolitan Natural Park but was first opened to the public in 1965.
The Obagawa flows to the north, and Edo follows around one km east of the Park. At the Park’s main entrance, visitors can enjoy the Edo clean water and a fantastic view of Misato Park (Misato Koen) opposite side of the river.
Besides, one of the two main rivers of Katsushika Nakagawa flows to the west.
Tokyo’s Biggest Park:
Most of us are usually eager to know when we hear comparative words, especially when someone says the biggest or largest word. Of course, we want to know how big.
Regarding Mizumoto Park, many of us want to know the largeness of the Park. It is 0.963 km2. It is enormous, no doubt.
Surprise! It is unbelievable that Tokyo has such a vast park.
But the surprise is not over yet. On the opposite side of the river is a park called Misato Park, which has 16 hectares of land.
Misato Park is located in Saitama Prefecture, but you will feel that Mizumoto Park and Misato Park are just one Park.
Features:
Before visiting something, we like to find out what kind of place we will see. So, Mizumoto Park is no exception, but it has everything to make it clear.
However, most bloggers say it is wet. Of course, it is moist, dry, and flat; no hills. But it is not muddy wet; people say it is wet because of damp or moisture lover plants.
There are a hundred types of plants and trees in the Park. I wanted to find out some plants that I needed.
But sadly, I only found out a few things similar to my homeland except a few things. I only saw some similar plants, such as one kind of medicinal plant to stop severe vomiting, kingfishers, lilies, and lotus.
However, what I found was much more precious than I had ever imagined. I was delighted to hear the birds’ tweets.
Mizumoto has a large space, and there are lots of things to see. Most people enjoy iris flowers, poplar-dense forests, fantastic greenery views, and bird sanctuaries.
Not only that but also the Park is a perfect place for nature lovers where they can enjoy nature. No matter where or which parts of the Park you are going to be in, you can enjoy the beauty of nature here.
Mizumoto Park Spring:
Do you like flowers?
Mizumoto Koen Park is a home of Roses, Cherry Blossoms, Hydrangea, Wisteria, and aquatic flowers are always at the park. Aquatic plants are very popular here; Tokyo people can’t see these other parks.
If you are in Tokyo during the Hanami season, remember to visit the park to enjoy Sakura at Mizumoto Park. But if you’re autumn, you’ll see golden and red leaves of the Cherry Blossom trees.
It depends on when or in which season you are going to visit the Park. But no matter which season you visit, the park flowers will welcome you.
A survey shows more than 80 kinds of lotus flowers are available in the Park’s water. During my visits, I see many types of flowers which even I do not know. But there are always some sorts of beautiful flowers in the Park.
The iris, lotus, and lilies are the most popular flowers. But, of course, there are always some kinds of nursery flowers in the park nursery.
But among the moisture lover flowers, iris are the most famous in the Park. The huge iris garden attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Because of the Park’s moisture environment, over 200,000 iris plants are alive, classified as over 80 kinds. Because of the iris’ abundance, the most famous festival in Katsushika is Iris Festival, held in May-mid June and lasts for 20 days.
The Iris Festival is colorful as the Iris colors in Mizumoto Park. The iris flowers have several colors, such as Red-purple, purple, and white.
Amazon Forest:
Have you ever been to Amazon? I mean the Amazon forest. If so, if you ever visit Mizumoto Koen Park, you will member it.
Of course, Mizumoto Park is not Amazon, but one of the parts of the Park is covered with tall and dense poplars, where you can see big trees; and because of the density, the sunshine cannot penetrate and reach the ground.
Some of the trees are classified as Italian or Lombardy poplars and are believed to have been spread during the late 18th century.
As a result, the ground remains moist for almost the whole year. But the tourists do not have to worry about mud or moisture. The roads under the dense trees are well-pitch and very comfortable to walk.
You can hear numerous kinds of bird tweets here. But you can hardly see them with bare eyes.
You can hear bird tweets and different kinds of small bug sounds. It is great to hear such lovely bug sounds if you do not have a problem with that.
Overall, I like the sounds as I do bird tweets in my homeland in my childhood in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
But the Park has several kinds of trees and plants. The greenery of the Park pleases me, which we usually cannot see in Tokyo.
Besides, there are huge grounds covered with green grass. The green grass grounds are so huge that the camera lens cannot reach the end.
Probably, you are eager to know how large it is!
Yes, more than 10 hectares are covered with green grasses, where people enjoy playing, rolling with kids on the grass, and flying kites in the sky.
Birds Sanctuary:
Do you have a hobby of doing bird photography?
There are three Bird observation locations in Mizumoto Park. The Metropolitan Government is very eager to protect wildlife. Some of the red signboards are found under the dense tree, letting visitors remind that they are in the bird’s sanctuary.
The bird’s sanctuaries are located where there are tall trees in the Park. As I mentioned earlier, it is hard to see the birds in the bushes because of the tall trees and their density.
However, the photographers do not cease watching or photographing the birds. On the contrary, the people who love birds seem to be very enthusiastic about finding out about the birds in the bushes.
Most bird watchers and photographers are probably in their sixties, awaiting birds under the trees with their big-heavy tripods supporting expensive long-range camera lenses.
The numbers of bird watchers are not less than hundreds in three bird sanctuary locations. But, of course, when I go there, I am one of them.
Most bird watchers and photographers are probably in their sixties, awaiting birds under the trees with their big-heavy tripods supporting expensive long-range camera lenses.
The numbers of bird watchers are not less than hundreds in three bird sanctuary locations. But, of course, when I go there, I am one of them.
Among the birds, Alcedo atthis or kingfishers, Egretta garzetta, Phalacrocorax carbo, and goshawk are famous to photographers. However, the swift action of the kingfishers astonishes the birdwatchers and photographers.
They put their camera in the holes of the bird sanctuaries hour after hour to catch a picture of the kingfisher’s swift fish-catching actions.
However, they are very considered because they keep some of the central birdwatching holes for the tourists in every bird sanctuary.
Autumn in Mizumoto park:
Mizumoto Koen Park is not only famous for spring flower festivals but also for autumn foliage. During autumn, the park is filled with autumn foliage. People from different parts of Tokyo come here to enjoy autumn leaves.
Autumn is the main visible and enjoyable season at the Mizumoto Koen.
Besides, the Tokyo weather remains stable and outdoor activities are comfortable. So, people flock to the park to enjoy autumn, as an example-some people like playing on the playgrounds and flying kites with family and friends.
Fishing:
Basically, local people come here and enjoy the view. The lake is also vast, and those who like fishing come here for fishing.
In addition, there is a particular fishing pond here where a few hundred people do fishing every day. There is a big artificial cascade where fishermen go fishing, listening to the sweet cascade sound.
It is better to make clear that the people who come here fishing are not real fishermen. They are mostly retired persons, and fishing is their hobby.
The fishing pond is exceptional in Mizomoto Park. There are two significant temples near the pond: Chodenji Buddhist Temple and Higashimizomotokatori Shrine.
Chodenji Buddhist Temple has graveyards like other Buddhist temples in Tokyo. I found many of the people who go fishing come to the temple to see the grave of their loved one every week, and after visiting the grave, they go fishing in the pond.
Cycling:
Do you love cycling? Mizumoto Park is one of the safe havens for cycling.
The Park is suitable for cycling without any traffic. The roads are ideal for cycling and useful for any wheeler because the roads are very smooth.
Mizumoto Park is big. Some people find it challenging to finish roaming the park on foot within a few hours.
But if they have bicycles, it is no longer challenging, relatively painless, and enjoyable.
You probably think you are a tourist and where you will get a bicycle. No problem at all, you can rent a bike at the park.
Rental bikes are available there, and you hire a bicycle. But please return the bike after finishing your work.
Jogging:
Most people come here to enjoy themselves and instead decide not to use bicycles. They start jugging after viewing the lovely scenery on the Edo river banks.
Some people sit on the bench near the banks and enjoy the views because people can see far and even view the opposite part of the river where Misato Park is situated.
Usually, kindergarten kids come with their teachers holding hands in long queues during the day.
Ducks fly over the water, kingfishers dive into the water to catch a fish, or a long beak harlot comes nearby without being noticed.
Besides, big fishes jump out of the water and break the silence.
Picnic and BBQ:
Among various public facilities, Barbeque is very appreciable here. The barbeque area is a perfect family fun spot in Tokyo, with a huge camping ground.
You can bring cooked food or packages from your home or supermarket.
If you are a tourist, you can buy from Kanamachi or a nearby Park and enjoy your lunch as a picnic on the river’s bank or at the green longe.
However, there is one good option here, and that is to do a barbecue.
If you are only two-three people, then without informing before, you can go directly to the barbecue place and buy what you want to eat.
Of course, sometimes, it may not work this way. But there is a contact number below you can call them anytime to be sure what you have to do for doing a barbecue in the Park.
The barbecue area of the park is vast, like other playgrounds. In addition, some kids’ playgrounds have facilities to enjoy their time while parents are having a picnic.
Besides, there is a barbecue shop, and you can buy all kinds of drinks, including beer.
Playgrounds:
Okay. Some people get bored living in the city and get bored. They need some quiet place to relax.
But Mizumoto Koen Park is so big that no matter how many people visit daily still, the Park remains quiet. So it will not take long for you to be alone; So to avoid loneliness, you will feel like playing with others.
You can play any game, including football. But the football ground does not have green grass.
Other games are enjoyable here except for football because people do not come here for football; usually, people come for other purposes.
At the same time, Mizumoto Park is enormous. So having a good football field is a good idea. People who love football can spend a few minutes at the football ground.
Parking Facilities:
What a lovely park! This fantastic Park is available in Tokyo; probably, many people who live in Tokyo do not know.
Besides, the Park has no entrance fee. It is always free for the public, but parking is not free.
However, the parking fee is relatively inexpensive, like in other expensive areas. It is very cheap and can be Parked in a car the whole day for a few hundred yen.
The parking space is enormous, and more than 1300 cars and buses can be parked together.
People may not know because of the lack of English information. I hope many people will find out about the Park and have a good time here to forget their busy lives in Tokyo.
Historic Koaidame Pond:
There is a pond named Koaidame Pond, which was dug by hand more than 270 years ago. It has two purposes, to use it as a reservoir for Edo city and Katsushika town. And another reason was to control the flood caused by the Tone River.
The pond is mostly being used for the bird sanctuary in the Park. However, there are lilies and lotus in the pond.
Disadvantages:
This fantastic flood control basin park has numerous public facilities. Not only that, it is the most beautiful park I have ever seen in Tokyo. But it seems to me public facilities still can be improved for better tourism.
Accessing the park from one side to another on foot is time-consuming. No internal accessing option is available here. So, it’s hard to finish all the park on food within a short time. Those who don’t live nearby or in Tokyo have no chance to spend half-day walking in the park even though they want to see the whole park.
Besides, there’s no recreation for the tourists. For example, the second biggest Park, Kasai Rinkai Park, has a train service for kids. as well big Ferris Wheel. However, the bird sanctuary of Kasai Rinkai Park can still manage to keep wildlife safe.
Furthermore, Tokyo Sea Life Aquarium is a part of the Kasai Rinkai, where people can enjoy it.
On the other hand, Mizumoto Park is very quiet. But, of course, the bird sanctuary is very important, and that should be preserved.
But still, some can be done. As the biggest Park in Tokyo, tourists want to see more recreation.
Fun recreation, such as small boats, tiny trains, or cable cars over the Shogotamari River between two parks, Mizumoto and Misato Park, can make a good connection between the two parks.
Misato Park (Misato Koen) is located in Saitama Prefecture, on another side of the Shogotamari River, and Mizumoto Park (Mizumoto Koen) is on another side of Tokyo Prefecture, and Shogotamari River is in the middle.
People can then enjoy both parks easily. As a result, local and international tourists will be attracted to visit the Park more.
Admission: free
Opening hours:
24 hours open
Closing time: no closing time. However, the car parking closes at 17:00.
Access:
Keisei Kanamachi Station is the best to excess Mizumoto Park. Of course, several ways to go there.
But according to my survey, I found the Keisei Kanamachi line most exciting because there is a chance to see Kanamachi town and its local people.
From Keisei Kanamachi to Mizumoto Park is very easy. It takes 8-10 minutes by bus and the bus stop at the park in less than 3 minutes.
However, if you want to see the Kanamachi locality, you can walk from Kanamachi station to Mizumoto Park, and it takes only 20 minutes.
It is useful to wear a good pair of walking shoes and keep a flask of water with you.
Of course, there are vending machines in parks in some places.
Closest Station: Kanemachi Station
By Bus:
Take Keisei Bus from Kanemachi Station and get off at Mizumoto Koen Bus Stop.
Contact information:
For further information, you can always call the park at (03) 3607-8321 or the Green Advice Center at (03) 3600-6417.
Besides, for information on camping and barbecues, you can contact (03) 3627-5201.
Or, if you like to go camping and barbecues in Saitama’s Misato Park, you can contact (0489) 55-2067.
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