Visit Date: 11/17/2014 (Best viewing Time: early November to early December)
Showakinen Park (officially known as Showa Commemorative National Government Park 国営昭和記念公園) is located in Tachikawa, which is only a little over 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku station. With its about 163 hectares land area, the park includes sport fields, barbecue pits, a boating pond, pools, and different magnificent gardens that blooms at various time throughout the year.
Visitors to the park can choose to get off from several stations and we chose the Nishi-Tachikawa station as it is only less than five minutes walk to the entrance gate.
The koyo season around the park usually tends to begin earlier than most of the Tokyo parks, which starts around late October and peak either mid or late November. The colors in this entrance however is still very green, only few trees have changed color.
Maple tree with orange, green, and red leaves along the path to the park’s open field.
One of the momiji tree that is ahead of the others.
One of the beautiful koyo spot near the open field.
Gorgeous spot with fallen sycamore leaves carpeting the ground.
The Open Field is the largest open space within the park with the size of about 11 hectares. The area serve as a venue for various events like concerts, firework displays, sports events like frisbee or family relay marathon, and many more. On a regular day, the field serves as a picnic and family bonding grounds.
Families having a picnic in the Open Field area whilst enjoying the autumn foliage.
The trees in the Cherry Blossom area located on the west of the Open Field are already past their peak. Most of the cherry trees have already shed their leaves. Almost the entire area is carpeted with crunchy leaves.
Cherry trees with shed leaves.
Senior citizen relaxing in the fresh autumn air.
The Japanese Garden located near the Open Field area is one of the highlights of the park. The garden depicts a traditional Japanese landscape with a large pond at the center and surrounded by stones and colorful trees. It offers breathtaking views and natural skyline with no buildings obstructing the view, unlike most Japanese gardens in Tokyo. It is indeed a place wrapped in a calm atmosphere.
The maple trees surrounding the park were at various states of color from complete green, yellow, orange, to blazing red. The most colorful trees are found around the pond and tea house which are mostly near their peak.
View of the pond from the tea house.
Radiant maple trees can be found around the graden.
Colorful fall colors near the garden’s entrance.
Fallen momiji leaves on the stream.
Colorful walkway around the garden.
The bridge in the middle of the pond, surrounded by water and colorful trees.
Visitors enjoy taking photos of the stunning landscape.
Another highlight of the park is the ‘Ginkgo Avenue’ which consist of more than 100 ginkgo trees lining up the canals close to the Tachikawa entrance gate. The trees at the rear of the entrance already started shedding leaves. However, those close to the fountain still possesses green leaves.
View of the avenue from the fountain area.
Lovely ginkgo corridor.
Several other clusters of ginkgo trees can be found along the trails throughout the park and some of these have already reached their peak.
Ginkgo trees around the children’s playground, close to the west side of the open field.
Visitors love cycling under the brilliant ginkgo trees.
Overall it seemed like it was still slightly before the peak colors around the park today. There were some attractive foliage especially the maples in the Japanese garden, the ginkgo trees in the Tachikawa entrance and along the walking paths throughout the park but most of the other trees were still green and may be reaching their peak within the next two weeks.
Accessibility:
Additional Info:
| Contact Info: | Address: 3173 Midori-cho Tachikawa City, Tokyo 〒190-0014 Telephone: 042-528-1751 Website: www.showakinen-koen.jp |
| Park Hours: | Jan – Oct: 9:30 to 17:00 | Nov – Dec: 9:30 to 16:30 |
| Admission: | General Groups Adult: ¥410 Adult: ¥290 Child (6-15): ¥80 Child (6-15): ¥50 over 65: ¥210 over 65: ¥210 |