From Tokyo to Musashi Kyuryo Park (Shinrin Park) – Is it worth to travel?

Just like what I’ve said from my previous posts, our itinerary on this trip was a bit unpredictable, hence on our 4^th day in Japan, after touring around Tokyo, we decided to go out of the city, met up a friend and visit this popular park in the nearby province.

It was an hour and a half trip via different trains and busses, add to that a long trek (walk) at the park, just to witness this awesome view.

But taking out the ‘friends meet-up’, is it really worth to travel from Tokyo to Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park or Shinrin Park?

Will give you my thoughts in a bit, for now; let me give you an idea about the place and our journey.

Traveling from Shinjuku to Shinrin-koen

It was a Sunday, and we decided to leave a bit late and took more time enjoying our breakfast. We left the hotel around 10 in the morning, taking the JR Yamanote Line from Shin-Okubo, we go down at Ikebukuro Station and transfer to Tobu Tojo Line.

Then we get off at Shinrin-koen Station. At the North exit you will find a bus stop and taxi stand. There are two-bus terminal at the North Exit, the one in front and the other one nearer the police box.

If you want to enter the South Gate, Ride the direct bus located near the Police Box heading to Shinrin Park South Exit. Get off at the last stop.

If you mistakenly ride the other one, do not worry. This bus heading is heading to Kumagaya Station and Rissho Daigaku. You can just get off at the first stop, Namerikawa Chugakko and walk approximately 5 minutes towards South Gate.

This bus will also pass by the West Gate, and you can directly enter that gate as well.

South Gate of Musashi Kyuryo!

Ruth was left behind our bus, for she forgotten where she placed her ticket. Rod and I came a bit earlier at the South gate. And because both of us were hungry at the trip, we decided to grab a bite first at the restaurant near the place.

I was planning to rent a bike too for I thought this could be the best time to do it. But due to communication barrier, I wasn’t able to get one on my first attempt.

After a few hours, we met up Ruth, who was already with Kiko Cagayat, our IG friend who now works and lives here in Japan. Kiko is becoming the official tour guides of Filipino bloggers, I guess, for I am always seeing him touring around Pinoy bloggers who visits Japan. Kiko lives in the province near Shinrin, so I guess meeting him half-way isn’t that bad.

With Kiko Cagayat

Shinrin Park or Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park

Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park is the first government park in all Japan. It is a huge park with total area of 304 hectares, approximately 65 times the size of Tokyo Dome. If you love parks you will definitely enjoy hanging out here. Musashi Kyuryo also known as Shinrin Park is made of different body of trees, ponds, swampland, and grassland. Of course this park is also a home to previous plants and animals. Shinrin Park is also a popular natural getaway from the metropolitan area.

On our visit, we weren’t asked to pay the entrance fee! Yay! I do not know if there is an event happening or we were just so lucky that we visited on a free entrance day!

But in ordinary days, here are the prices for the entrance.

Entrance Fee

• Adults (High School Students and Above)
  • General (JPY 450) Group (JPY 290) Annual Passport (JPY4,500)
• Senior Citizens (Age 65 and above)
  • General (JPY 210) Group (JPY 210) Annual Passport (JPY2,100)
• Junior High School students and younger
  • (free of charge)

That’s it! Maybe they thought we were Junior High school students. J

Inside the Shinrin Park

Our real target was to visit the famous flower garden in Shinrin Park. I actually do not know what flower was in bloom in this season, but as I’ve checked in their website, the garden management basically change the plants depending on which flowers are in bloom.

It was a long walk before getting there, good thing the weather and the scenery makes it a little less tiring. At the end of our trek, we heard kids playing and jumping in joy at Japan Ponpoko Mountain. It is the largest air trampoline place in the middle of the park. Fun, I could say for even grown ups do mingle and join in.

From that point, we can already see the huge flower garden in red and yellow. It was place strategically covering a huge area of the hilly land. I think flying a drone in this place would be ideal to capture a picturesque view of the garden and the rolling hills. Our time was actually spent mostly walking and finding a good spot to take a nice shot. Kiko told us that we were a weak earlier for fall colors to even begin, it could have been nice to see the maple trees or the famous cherry blossoms to change colors.

By the way, there are also other flower Gardens scattered in the area. Actually the park was so huge that we do not really have much time to stroll around. I was told that aside from the Ponpoko Mountain, kids can also enjoy the Wading pool, Musashi Kids Dome, the Adventure Course, Musashi Kids bullpen, and Disc Golf Course. You can also take a Wild Plant Course, or do cycling in the park. But if you just want to take it easy, settling down in one of the areas of the park could already be enough.

Is it Worth it?

Well, if you are into gardens or someone who is looking for a place to do photography a stroll here at Shinrin Park is definitely something new to try on. If you got an extra day as well to visit a destination outside Tokyo, well dropping by at this park is also ideal. There are also other destinations you can visit along the way. Just make sure to manage your time properly. Remember, it’s a 304-hectare property, walking around would truly eat much of your time. Here are some more snaps with me wearing @Uniqloph Winter Collection. 

• Musashi-Kyuryo National Government Park Management Center

• 1920 Yamata, Namegawa-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture 355-0802

• TEL: 0493-57-2111 (Management Center, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Also Read: Commuting Guide: Tokyo  | Asakusa & Tokyo Kimono Experience  | Tokyo Tower

Until our next discovery in the City!

またね Mata ne!

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