Enjoy Tokyo

Kasai Rinkai Park opened in 1989 with the concept of "interaction between greenery, water, and people." As one of the largest parks in the city, it attracts both domestic and international visitors.

 

Various areas in the park

There are five areas, each with a different theme. Visitors may stroll around the whole facility or they can choose an area in which to spend a whole day. Each area provides an array of activities from which to choose.

 

Entrance area

The entrance area is just past JR Keiyo line's Kasai Rinkai Koen Station. It has a square and fountain. The spacious area, which features a service center, a hotel, restaurants, and shops, is sure to exceed visitors' expectations.

 

 

Observatory

Walk through a path leading straight from the entrance, and you will see a large lawn area that overlooks Tokyo Bay. Located at the center of the park is a stylish glass building: the Crystal View Observatory, where visitors can take a break. A pond called Ashiga-ike is found on the west side of the park. Visitors can enjoy the smell of grass under open air, while being close to many bodies of water.

 

 

Aquarium

From the observatory, walk along the retaining wall and you will see a round facility. It is the glass dome of Tokyo Sea Life Park. Once part of Ueno Zoo, the aquarium inherited its exhibition and opened in 1989, the same year as the zoo's 100th anniversary. Penguins are showcased in one of the nation's largest exhibition facilities. There are also 600 species of marine creatures, including bluefin tuna, in large doughnut-shaped water tanks

 

 

Bird sanctuary

Mudflats in Kasai have always been rich with seafood, thus many birds come to the area to feed. A bird sanctuary was built in an effort to recreate this natural environment. Within the facility there are two ponds, a bird watching center, and an observatory. You may see greenshank and black-faced spoonbill in spring and fall, little tern and little ringed plover in summer, and common pochard and northern goshawk in winter. Aside from these wild birds, visitors may observe other animals that coexist in the habitat. Guided tours and night watching is possible, too.

 

 

Lawn field

The Diamond and Flower Ferris Wheel is another landmark of Kasai Rinkai Park. It is surrounded by a grassy lawn with a gentle slope, a lotus pond, a gazebo, and walkways where families and couples take walks.

The seasonal plants and various events attract nature-loving visitors throughout the year.

 

 

Spend the whole day with family and friends

One of the most popular recreational spots in the park is the barbeque field. A convenient service, users can buy ingredients, plates, and fuel, as well as rent tools, or bring their own. Please note that reservation is required to use the area and business hours vary depending on the season.

The park train is recommended for those who want to visit all the places of interest. The ride takes about 25 minutes. The blue train, which is called Umi (Sea), and the yellow train, which is called Nanohana (Field Mustard), are both shaped like a steam locomotive. On a sunny day you can view the Boso Peninsula and the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line, also known as the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway.

Another thing you don't want to miss is the illumination of the Diamond and Flower Ferris Wheel. Watch one of Japan's largest ferris wheels glow in pure white for one hour after sunset.

 

Many bodies of water, including ponds and the sea

While Kasai Rinkai Park is lush with green scenery, it is also surrounded by many bodies of water, including a fountain at the entrance; the aquarium; and four ponds, including the lotus pond, Ashiga-ike, Kamino-ike (freshwater pond), and Shimono-ike (brackish pond). The vast Tokyo Bay also awaits visitors.

After you've interacted with the wild birds and marine animals, and enjoyed the park's greenery, we recommend you see the city's major tourist destinations. A water bus bound for Odaiba and Asakusa leaves from Tokyo Waterway Line Station, which is just beyond the observatory area. It is a popular method of transportation among locals and tourists alike because it is much less complicated than the city's traffic network.

 

The park's important role to help prevent disaster

Kasai Rinkai Park also plays an important role in disaster prevention. It can become a base for rescue activities because the land is vast enough for the landing and takeoff of helicopters operated by the Self-Defense Force, fire department, and police department. The park also holds evacuation drills using the Tokyo Waterfront Line, to help stranded commuters.

The park is equipped with emergency toilets and installed with benches that can be used in case of emergency. Evacuation drills with local residents are carried out. Safety measures are explained and exercised regularly at Disaster Prevention Information Square, located on the ground floor of Crystal View Observatory.

While Kasai Rinkai Park is a great place to interact with nature, it is also a place that protects us in times of natural disasters.

Address: 6 Rinkaicho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-0086
Open: Daily

 

※Please contact the service center for business hours.
Inquiries: 03-5696-1331

　

*This article was posted on the Life in Tokyo website operated by the Tokyo International Communication Committee on March 29, 2017.