Hello, I'm Inaba from NEULO. In this journal, I'll be introducing walking routes and spots so appealing you'll want to lace up your shoes and head straight out the door. As you read, I hope you'll feel a spark of "I never knew this place existed!" or "Maybe I'll take a walk there myself."
For this first installment, I'm introducing Mizumoto Park, a Tokyo Metropolitan Park in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. It's the largest waterfront park in the city, with scenery so lush and expansive it's easy to forget you're still within Tokyo's borders. Let me take you through a walking route where, amid this vast natural landscape, you might feel as though you've wandered into the countryside of some other country entirely.
Access to Mizumoto Park:
From Kanamachi Station (JR Joban Line, with through-service to the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) or Keisei-Kanamachi Station (Keisei Kanamachi Line), take a Keisei Bus bound for Togasaki Soshajo or Nishi-Mizumoto 3-chome and get off at the Mizumoto Koen stop. From there, it's a 7-minute walk.
*On weekends and holidays from March through November, a loop bus runs along the park from Kanamachi Station between 9:00 a.m. and 4:40 p.m.
Walking time (approximate): about 30 minutes
Clear blue water, abundant green: resetting the mind at the water's edge
Mizumoto Park sits in the northeastern part of Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. This time, I made my way there by train and bus. The moment you step into the park, the first thing that catches your eye is a vast pond called Koai-dame. Around 300 years ago, in 1729, the eighth Tokugawa shogun, Yoshimune, ordered flood-control works to prevent the old Tone River (now the Naka River) from overflowing its banks. As part of that project, the river was dammed against the opposite bank in what is now Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, creating a long, narrow reservoir. This became known as Koai-dame.
Because this reservoir served as a vital water source for the surrounding rice paddies, the area came to be called "Mizumoto," meaning "source of water." Koai-dame was once an essential supply of water that sustained the daily lives of the people here. Feeling the breeze drift across its surface, I set off on my walk.
This is also a resting place for many wild birds. Part of the pleasure of walking here is spotting the birds that change with the seasons — ducks, kingfishers, and more. Watching them live so freely, I noticed my own mind gradually opening up and letting go of its usual tension.
The park is also home to a "Bird Sanctuary" area, where you can quietly observe wild birds going about their lives through viewing windows.
Soft, natural ground beneath your feet
Stepping away from the water's edge, I made my way in among the trees.
The scent of wood and leaves drifted in from somewhere. Breathing deeply as I walked, I began to hear birdsong. The sound of the trees swaying in the wind joined in, layering into a chorus of natural sound.
My attention, too, gradually settled into the simple act of walking. I moved from the hard asphalt path onto soft ground thick with grass.
With every step, the feel of the earth beneath me seemed to sharpen the sensitivity in the soles of my feet more than usual. Breathing deeply, placing each step with care, staying present in the moment as I walked — just doing that, you can feel the thoughts in your head begin to quiet, one by one.
Looking up into the metasequoia forest
Continuing further in, I arrived at my favorite spot in the whole park: the metasequoia forest. The metasequoia is a conifer belonging to the cypress family. Fully grown, it can reach heights of 25 to 30 meters — roughly as tall as a ten-story building.
Mizumoto Park is home to the largest stand of metasequoia trees of any Tokyo metropolitan park, with about 1,800 trees standing in neat rows. The atmosphere feels almost otherworldly, more reminiscent of a Nordic conifer forest than anywhere in Japan.
These towering trees rise straight up toward the sky. Because the metasequoia forest blocks the strong sunlight, the air beneath stays relatively cool, and you feel as if you're enveloped in nature itself.
Walking on, feeling the pleasant breeze, both mind and body begin to feel refreshed. After a good stretch of focused walking, it might be worth sitting down at one of the tables and benches within the metasequoia forest to let your thoughts settle.
Spending time bathed in the energy of such vibrant, living plant life is bound to feel like the ultimate reward for both mind and body. You don't have to travel far — a place this rich in nature exists right within Tokyo.
Why not go find your own comfortable first step? Look forward to the next recommended spot!
Mizumoto Park
Address
Mizumoto Koen, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo 125-0034
Access
From Kanamachi Station (JR Joban Line, with through-service to the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) or Keisei-Kanamachi Station (Keisei Kanamachi Line), take a Keisei Bus bound for Togasaki Soshajo or Nishi-Mizumoto 3-chome and get off at the Mizumoto Koen stop. From there, it's a 7-minute walk.
*On weekends and holidays from March through November, a loop bus runs along the park from Kanamachi Station between 9:00 a.m. and 4:40 p.m.
Parking (paid)
Open
Open year-round
*The service center and individual facilities are closed during the New Year holiday period.
*Please contact the service center for hours and other details.
Admission
Free (some facilities within the park charge a fee)
