Attractions

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park

Travel Guide

Introduction

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest city parks in Tokyo, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is located adjacent to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine.

The 54 hectares (133 acres) landscaped park has picnic areas, bike paths, cycle rentals and public sport courts, makes the park a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities. On Sundays around the outer perimeter of the park bands and individuals play music.

Although Yoyogi Park has relatively few cherry trees compared to other sites in Tokyo, it makes a nice cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Furthermore, it is known for its ginko tree forest, which turns intensely golden in autumn.

Yoyogi Park is divided into two sections by the main road with other part of the park containing Yoyogi National Gymnasium and an open theatre where community groups hold festivals and concerts.

History

Yoyogi Park stands on the site from where the first successful powered aircraft flight in Japan took place by Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa on 19 December 1910. The area later became an army parade ground. From September 1945, the site housed the military barracks known as the "Washington Heights" for U.S. officers during the Allied occupation of Japan.

In 1964, the area was used for the Tokyo Olympics housing the main athletes village and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. The distinctive building, which was designed by Kenzo Tange, hosted the swimming and diving, with an annex for the basketball.

In 1967 most of the area north of the gymnasium complex and south of Meiji Shrine was turned into Yoyogi Park.

Yoyogi ParkYoyogi ParkYoyogi Park

 
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Travel Advice

Sightseeing

- Yoyogi Park is the perfect comic relief after a low-key shrine stop. With living space so tight in this city, parks are the places for club meetings and practice sessions and even play rehearsals, and Yoyogi draws all sorts of talent, from horn players to hip-hop dancers to rockabilly gangs, complete with poodle skirts and Elvis-inspired pompadours, who usually gather by the park's east side entrance on Sundays to jam to American pop music from the '50s. Somehow this scene is more satisfying than the Gothic Lolitas and Cosplay kids, costumed fans of Japanese manga and anime characters hanging out on the Harajuku bridge, but I always take my friends to see them too.

- Yoyogi Park has a mellower side that's also worth exploring — areas to the north and west, past the fountain pond and central field. There's a cycling center (81-(0)3-3465-6855) northwest of the central field that rents bikes, including tandems, for just a few hundred yen (you're not supposed to go off the path, which is long and lovely) and a snack hut with tables that sells ice cream and beer. There is also a little dog run, so you're bound to see at least a few terriers decked out in rhinestones and denim or chihuahuas dressed like cheerleaders.

Yoyogi Park

Autumn Leaves

Yoyogi Park is a spot to see autumn leaves. Please see Autum Leaves in Yoyogi Park.

Events

Events in 2019
Sri Lanka Festival The largest Sri Lankan festival in Japan. More than 90 food stalls prodiving traditional Sri Lankan food, craft beer and black tea. The traditional dance performances are not to be missed. Aug 4(Sat) and 5(Sun)
Harajyuku Omotesando Genki Festival Super Yosakoi Over 6,000 dancers in more than 100 teams performing the Yosakoi dance on the various stages located in Meiji-jingu, Harajuku station and Yoyogi Park. Foods and drinks sold in the street can be enjoyed while watching the performances. Aug 24(Sat) and 25(Sun)
Nepal Festival The largest Nepal Festival in Japan. You can find a variety of Nepalese local food, drink and handicaft products. Nepal folk dances and fortune telling are also enjoyable. Time 10:00~20:00. Aug 26(Sat) and 27(Sun)
Indonesian-Japanese friendship Festival Tens of booths offering Indonesian delicious food and beverages. Not only traditional dance and musical performances, visitors can also enjoy POP music from Indonesia. Oct 19(Sat) and 20(Sun)
Events in 2020
Thai Festival One of the largest and most anticipated ethnic festivals in Japan. It features up to 100 booths selling delicacies, crafts, fruit smoothies and alcoholic beverages. There will also be a full schedule of musical performances on the stage. May 9(Sat) and 10(Sun)
Namaste India The largest Indian festival in Japan. There will be tens of different food and drink stalls, traditional musical and dance performances, lectures, handicrafts, textiles and other displays. Nov 28(Sat)~
29(Sun)
 
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Visit

Address 2-1 Yoyogikamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone 03-3469-6081 (Yoyogi Park Management Office)
Admission Free  
Hours 05:00 to 17:00 Oct 16 to Apr 30
05:00 to 18:00 May 1 to Oct 15
 
Closed Open 7 Days a Week
Duration 1 hour
Getting There By Train
1 minute walk from Harajuku Station on JR Line.
3 minutes walk from Yoyogi-koen Station on subway Chiyoda Line.

By Car
Take Shuto Expressway to the Shibuya exit. It is approximately 15 minutes from exit.
Parking Paid parking available
 
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