Shakuji-koen Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trail is easy to hike and flat most of the way. There are many side trails one can spend longer exploring, and I left out these side trails. This park is my favorite in Tokyo and seems the most natural. It is like Kamikochi in Tokyo.

This is a fantastic city hike. The park contains two ponds, Shakuji and Sanpoji-ponds, and the remains of Shakuji castle. The Shakuji River runs east and west just a short distance from the pond, and both ponds are fed underground from Musashino-dai a short distance away. The remains of Shakuji Castle is at the Sanpoji pond also. The Shakuji Castle is the 12th century remains of the Toshima clan of samurai’s castle and moat.

You can also start at Wadabori Park which is a canal that empties into Shakuji pond. However, most people start from the boat rental location and do the loop trail around Sanpoji in the back.