Tokyo

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Hibiya Park

More Photos
becks
becks
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
3
Photos
Editor Pick

Hibiya Park

  • January 27, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by becks from Mexico City, Mexico
Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park was the first Western style park in Tokyo and opened in 1903. It is across the road from the luxurious Imperial Hotel (Hibiya Subway station exit A14). The park has several sections including at least three Japanese style and two Western style sections with fountains and water features. The Japanese sections are, however, not of the high standard of the Hamarikyu Gardens. Nonetheless, they offer convenient opportunities for photographs far exceeding the actual quality of the park.

There are also several open-air concert areas and concerts are often held, especially on summer weekends. There are a few tennis courts, but the waiting lists and process to actually play there are daunting. Short-term visitors will have little luck in getting an open court.

Maps are available at most entrances and most have English descriptions – a 1.3 km walking route is mapped to see the best of the park. An eclectic selection of displays are scattered through the park – most with English explanations. These include huge stones donated to the Tokyo city government, e.g., a stone brought back from Antarctica, one from Scandinavia to commemorate the search for a polar route to Japan and a 1.3 diameter stone with a hole which was used as currency on some Micronesian island. Other displays include a fountain used by horses and old street lamps.

There are several coffee shops/restaurants offering food of indifferent quality and a picnic lunch may be a better option. However, the settings of some of the restaurants are picturesque and you can hardly go wrong anywhere with a Japanese beer on a summer afternoon. A great alternative is a coffee and sandwich at La Café Actress across the road from the park at the Imperial Hotel entrance. It serves a great cappuccino and panninis at bargain prices for this area. Head for anywhere in the Imperial Hotel for great service if someone else is paying!

Hibiya Park is pleasant enough to stroll in but in contrast to Hamarikyu and the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace it is hardly worth the effort to travel there just to see this park. Entrance is free.

From journal Parks and Gardens in Central Tokyo

Compare Tokyo Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Tokyo Links

Tokyo Travel Deals