Inokashira Onshi Koen 井の頭恩賜公園
Around the lake
In the western part of Tokyo, Inokashira Onshi Koen and central lake surrounded by cherry trees and adjacent to the Ghibli Museum is the site of many activities.
The trip is worth it. After getting away from central Tokyo to reach the far west of the city, in the Kichijoji district, the thirty-eight hectares of Inokashira Onshi Koen, literally "Inokashira Imperial Gift Park" is a special place to stroll and visit. Inaugurated in 1918, the park is one of the first assigned by the Emperor to the city of Tokyo, which opened the way for other places in the capital during the twentieth century. There is a small temple dedicated to the goddess of love, Benzaiten (弁 財 天), and there are many other temples and shrines in the quiet district of Kichijoji encircling the park. On weekends, the Tokyoites go to small art and crafts markets held around the lake, where popular musicians entertain walkers.
This lake also has quite a forest. In addition to the main part of Inokashira park, there is a wooded area called Gotenyama with cypress trees and Japanese maples providing a shady promenade. The garden Shizen Bunka-in regularly exhibits impressive sculptures. An aquarium and a zoo where the tanukis (raccoon dog resembling a badger) delight children and curious fans of this Asian species.
Miyazaki cherries
At the southwest end of the park is the stronghold of the anime master, Hayao Miyazaki: this is where the famous Ghibli Museum is, dedicated to his work and his fantasy world. But in the spring, hanami, the craze of the cherry blossoms, attracts more towards Inokashira Onshi Koen, where families come to admire a very symbolic efflorescence.
