- Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
- Phone: +81 3 3469 6081
- Website: www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/index039.html
- Opening date: 1967.
- Area: 54,1 hectares
- Phone of the Museum of Japanese Swords: +81 3 3789 1386
Yoyogi Park (also used as the transliteration of Yoyogi) is one of the largest parks in Tokyo , with an area of more than 54 hectares. The park was founded in 1967 and immediately became a popular resting place for the people of Tokyo and one of the must-see attractions of the Japanese capital.
Features of the park
The vast territory of the park is very well planned. There are wide alleys along which you can ride rollerbikes and bicycles (which you can rent here), jogging tracks, sports grounds, lots of benches for relaxation, cozy gazebos, several ponds with fountains, forest areas, a large rose garden and, of course , specially equipped places for picnics.
From other Japanese parks Yoyogi is distinguished by the fact that sakura is not the predominant tree here. However, it is also there, and due to the appropriate care the trees look so attractive that most of the people come to admire its bloom here.
On Sundays, cosplayers, lovers of Japanese rock music gather here, classes of martial arts sections take place, various street performances, including fire-shows. There is in the park and a special fenced off area for the walking of dogs, on which animals can be without a leash. It is divided into 3 parts, on each of which you can walk dogs of certain breeds.
The Museum
The park also houses the museum of Japanese swords of Yoyogi. His exposition is small, but in detail and capacitively tells about the art of making samurai swords: traditions, technology, design. The museum collection consists of more than 150 items. Periodically, the building hosts a variety of exhibitions, directly or indirectly related to the subject of the museum.
Historical milestones
The park is associated with many historical events:
- December 19, 1910 from this place was made the first successful flight by captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa, one of the founders of Japanese military aviation;
- after World War II during the American occupation in this area were the barracks of American officers Washington Heights;
- in 1964 it was the place where the Olympic Village was located. By the way, the Yoyogi Stadium was built specifically for the Tokyo Olympics;
- in 2020, the next Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, and the handball competitions will be held at Yoyogi Park's sports grounds.
Stadium
Yoyogi Stadium is still the largest in Japan . It differs in its unusual design: its overlapping is arched in the shape of a shell. They are held especially strong steel cables. The stadium regularly hosts various national championships as well as international competitions.
The Meiji Sanctuary
On the territory of the park is Meiji Dinggu - Shinto shrine, which is the burial vault of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shoken. The building is built of cypress and is a sample of a unique temple architecture. Around the building is planted a garden in which all the trees and shrubs that only grow in Japan are presented. Plants for the garden were donated by many residents of the country.
On the territory of the complex there is a museum-treasure, in which items of the period of the reign of the Emperor Meiji are preserved. In the outer garden of the temple there is the Picture Gallery, in which you can see 80 frescoes depicting important events from the life of the emperor and his wife. Not far from it is the Wedding Hall, in which ceremonies are held in Shinto traditions.
Visitors to the sanctuary can receive a prediction representing an English translation of a poem written by the Emperor Meiji or his wife. Below is the interpretation of the prediction performed by the Shinto priest.
How to get to the park?
The closest thing to go to the park from the Harajuku Station (Haradzuyuki) stop is about 3 minutes. From the station Yoyogi-Koen (Yoyogi-koen), the path to the park will take about the same (both stations belong to the line Chiyoda line (Chiyoda)). From the Yoyogi-Hachiman (Yoyogi-Hachiman) line Odakyu line (Odakyu) can be reached in about 6-7 minutes. For those who decided to use not public transport , but by car, parking is available around the park around the clock.