At a glance
Showa Kinen Park is a sprawling 180-hectare national memorial park in Tachikawa, Tokyo, featuring extensive cycling paths, seasonal flower gardens, a traditional Japanese garden, and family-friendly recreational facilities. The park showcases spectacular displays throughout the year, including tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and iconic golden ginkgo-lined avenues.
Photographs
Showa Kinen Park
Showa Kinen Park transforms dramatically with each season, offering distinct natural displays throughout the year. Autumn is the most popular season, when the famous ginkgo avenue turns a vivid gold from late October through November. Spring brings cherry blossoms and large-scale flower displays, with tulips blooming from March to April. Other highlights include cosmos fields in early autumn, nemophila (baby blue eyes) carpeting open meadows in April, and sunflowers brightening the park in midsummer.
Spanning approximately 180 hectares, the park is divided into several themed areas, including a traditional Japanese garden with a pond, teahouse, and seasonal bonsai exhibitions, wide lawns ideal for picnics, and long cycling paths that pass through flower fields and wooded areas. Visitors can rent bicycles to cover more ground, walk along canals lined with trees, or let children loose in the large playground zones. During certain peak seasons, the park also hosts limited-time light-up and illumination events, especially around the ginkgo area and Japanese garden.
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Located in Tachikawa, a short walk from both Tachikawa and Nishi-Tachikawa stations, this national memorial park was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa’s reign. The grounds are largely wheelchair accessible and include dog-friendly areas, including a designated dog run. Amenities are extensive, with barbecue sites, boat rentals on the central pond, plenty of restrooms, cafés, and food stands. Admission tickets and rentals can be paid using cash as well as electronic options like transit IC cards and PayPay, depending on the facility.
Before you go
Entry fee is modest and easy on the budget. Adults (15 and older) pay about ¥450, seniors (65+) about ¥210, and children up to junior high school age enter free. Tickets can be purchased at the park gates and you can even pay with IC transit cards like Suica or Pasmo at many entrances. The park is largely flat and wheelchair accessible with paved paths. Bike rentals are available, and walking distances are long, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Dogs on leash are welcome in most areas, and there’s a dedicated dog run. Barbecue zones require advance reservation, and tripods for photography are normally allowed but may be discouraged during very busy flower seasons or special events. Restrooms, cafés, vending machines, benches, and picnic spots are scattered throughout for convenience.
The park is generally open year-round but closed on December 31 and January 1, and also on some weekdays in mid-January. Daily opening times vary by season: typically around 9:30 to 17:00, with extended hours on weekends and holidays in spring and summer.
When to go
Autumn stands as the premier season, with golden ginkgo trees lining the canal reaching peak color in mid-November and vibrant cosmos blooming from mid-September through October. Spring brings spectacular displays of tulips in April and nemophila (baby blue eyes) in late April to early May, while summer features sunflowers and winter offers illumination events in the Japanese garden. Weekday mornings provide the most peaceful experience, with significantly fewer crowds between opening at 9:30 AM and noon. Arrive at opening time to enjoy the iconic ginkgo avenue and Japanese garden before tour groups arrive, and consider visiting on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when occupancy remains lowest throughout the day.
Average crowd levels throughout the day, based on historical data.
Public review summary
Visitors praise the parks stunning seasonal displays, particularly the golden ginkgo avenue and vibrant autumn foliage that create breathtaking photo opportunities. Many appreciate the vast grounds, cycling paths, and Japanese garden, though some note crowds during peak seasons and long walking distances between attractions. Reviewers mention limited food variety and occasional signal issues, but consistently highlight the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery throughout the year.
What you'll find here
Location & access
- DirectionsAddress
3173 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014, Japan
- How to get there
By Public Transportation:
Take the JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa Station or the JR Ome Line to Nishi-Tachikawa Station. From Nishi-Tachikawa Station it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk to the park entrance. Tachikawa Station is also walkable but takes a bit longer (around 10–15 minutes on foot).
By Car:
The park has several paid parking lots around its gates. Parking fills up quickly during peak flower seasons and weekends, so arriving early is a good idea. Paid parking can be around ¥900 per day for standard cars.
Common questions
What flowers bloom at Showa Kinen Park?
Showa Kinen Park showcases different flowers throughout the year. Spring features tulips and cherry blossoms, early summer brings baby blue eyes and poppies, summer displays sunflowers, and autumn highlights cosmos flowers. The park also has a Japanese garden with seasonal plantings and a bonsai collection year-round.
Can I bring my dog to Showa Kinen Park?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Showa Kinen Park. The park features a dedicated dog run area where pets can play off-leash. Dogs must be kept on leash in other areas of the park. This makes it a popular destination for families visiting with their pets.
How do I see the famous ginkgo trees?
The iconic ginkgo tree-lined avenue is located immediately after entering through the Tachikawa entrance gate. The trees are most spectacular in November when they turn golden yellow. There is also another ginkgo area near the Akishima entrance. Best viewing time is typically mid-November.
Are bicycles available to rent at the park?
Yes, bicycle rentals are available at cycle centers located at Tachikawa, Nishi-Tachikawa, and Sunagawa entrances. Rentals cost around 1500 yen for tandem bikes and allow three hours of use. During busy periods like Golden Week, bikes may sell out, so arrive early when the park opens at 9:30 AM.
What facilities are available for children?
Showa Kinen Park is very family-friendly with extensive playground areas, kid-friendly hiking trails, slides, and swings. The park also features picnic areas with tables, barbecue grills, and large open lawns for children to play. Public restrooms and various snack shops are conveniently located throughout the grounds.
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