Inokashira Park: Pond Boats, a Small Zoo and the Walk to the Ghibli Museum

Swan boats on Inokashira Pond in springPhoto: Htanaungg / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Experiences
Photo: Htanaungg / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Oct 20, 2026

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 6, 2026

Rent a boat on the pond, wander through the woods, visit the small zoo and walk on to the Ghibli Museum: Inokashira Park is a large, leafy park just a few minutes from Kichijoji Station. It is free and open all day.

Quick answer

Admission: free, open 24 hours. Some facilities charge fees and keep their own hours.

Boats: rowing boats ¥800, swan and cycle boats ¥1,000, per 30 minutes.

Best seasons: autumn leaves usually mid-November to mid-December, cherry blossoms usually late March to early April.

Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from JR Kichijoji Station, or 1 minute from Inokashira-koen Station (Keio Inokashira Line).

About the park

Green trees and a red shrine reflected in Inokashira Pond, with a wooden bridge
Inokashira Pond, with a wooden bridge and shrine among the trees. Photo: ARandomName123 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Inokashira Park opened in 1917 and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. It is divided into four areas: the area around Inokashira Pond, the wooded hill of Gotenyama, the western area with sports facilities, and a second park. The pond and woodland give a feel of the old Musashino landscape. Inokashira Benzaiten, a small shrine on the pond, is also in the park.

Boats on Inokashira Pond

Inokashira Park Momiji
Photo: Htanaungg / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
BoatCapacityPrice (30 min)
Rowing boatUp to 3 adults¥800
Cycle boat2 adults and 1 child¥1,000
Swan boat2 adults and 1 child¥1,000
SeasonHours (last boat)
April – September10:00–17:50 (16:50)
October and March9:30–17:20 (16:20)
November – February9:30–16:50 (15:50)

The boating area is closed on Wednesdays from December to February. Hours can change with the season and weather.

Inokashira Park Zoo

  • Hours: 9:30–17:00. Tickets are sold until 16:00.
  • Closed on Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and December 29 – January 1.
  • Admission: adults ¥400, 65 and over ¥200. Free for elementary school children and younger.
Inokashira Park Zoo (official)

Best seasons: autumn leaves and cherry blossoms

The pond is the highlight in both seasons. The times below are the usual ones from the park’s official page, and they shift a little each year.

  • Autumn leaves: usually mid-November to mid-December. Japanese maples, cherry, ginkgo and zelkova trees are reflected in the pond.
  • Cherry blossoms: usually late March to early April. Somei-yoshino and wild cherry trees line the pond, and you can see them on foot or from a boat.
  • Winter boat days: the boating area is closed on Wednesdays from December to February, so avoid Wednesdays if a boat is your plan.

See cherry blossoms in Tokyo for more spring ideas.

How to get there

StationLineWalk
KichijojiJR Chuo LineAbout 5 min
Inokashira-koenKeio Inokashira LineAbout 1 min

The Ghibli Museum is at the southern end of the park, about a 15-minute walk from Kichijoji Station according to GO TOKYO. Tickets must be booked in advance. For shopping and food around the station, see our Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji guide and Mitaka and Musashino guide.

FAQ

Is Inokashira Park free?

Yes. The park is free and open 24 hours. Boats and the zoo charge fees.

How much are the boats?

Rowing boats are ¥800 and swan or cycle boats are ¥1,000 per 30 minutes.

How do I get to Inokashira Park?

Walk about 5 minutes from JR Kichijoji Station, or 1 minute from Inokashira-koen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line.

When are the autumn leaves at Inokashira Park?

Usually from mid-November to mid-December. Cherry blossoms are usually late March to early April.

Can I walk to the Ghibli Museum?

Yes. The Ghibli Museum is at the southern end of the park, about a 15-minute walk from Kichijoji Station. Book tickets in advance.

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Sources

Park information, boat prices and hours come from the Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Zoo information comes from Tokyo Zoo Net (checked October 20, 2026; seasons and the Ghibli walk checked November 6, 2026). Please check before you go.