Inokashira Park

nihongo|Inokashira Park|井の頭恩賜公園|Inokashira Onshi Kōen straddles Musashino and Mitaka in western Tokyo, Japan.

Inokashira Pond (井の頭池) and the nihongo|Kanda River water source|神田上水|Kanda jōsui, established during the Edo period, are the primary sources of the Kanda River.

The land was given to Tokyo in 1913. On May 1 1918, it opened under the name "Inokashira Onshi Kōen" (井の頭恩賜公園), which can be translated as, "Inokashira Imperial Gift Park." Thus the park was considered a gift from the emperor to the general public. This was the first time in Tokyo that a park was founded in such a manner.Fact|date=September 2007

Data

* Date opened: May 1 1918
* Area: 383,773 m2
* Addresss: Gotenyama 1-chōme, Kichijōji Minami-chō 1-chōme, Musashino city, Inokashira 3~5-chōme, Shimorenjaku 1-chōme, Mure 4-chome, Mitaka city, Tokyo
* Nearest stations: 5 min walk from Kichijōji (JR Chūō line), 1 min walk from Inokashira Kōen (Keiō Inokashira Line)
* Number of trees: Tall trees: 11,060 / shrubs: 12,800 / lawn: 10,000 m2
* Variety of plants: Cherry trees, cypresses, red pines, azaleas

Attractions

The Park contains a small temple dedicated to Benzaiten, a vengeful goddess of love. Benzaiten is said to have cast a spell on courting couples, bringing love affairs to an untimely finish. This spell is rumored to particularly take effect on couples which venture out on the pond in boat.Fact|date=September 2007

The park has a petting zoo and a small aquarium, and is a place where vendors, musicians, artists and street performers gather. The park is bustling with crowds who arrive to take in the lively environment on weekends and holidays, especially during the cherry blossom season when the entire park is overrun with visitors for "hanami."

On the southwest end of Inokashira Park is the Ghibli Museum, a popular destination dedicated to the animated productions of Studio Ghibli.

ee also

References

External links

* [http://www.jref.com/practical/kichijouji.shtml Inokashira Park at Japan Reference]
* [http://kazama2.sakura.ne.jp/ino.html Photographs of the park] by Kensuke Kazama. Accessed 9 September 2007.