Yoyogi Park is one of the largest public parks in Tokyo, Japan, with an area of 54.1 hectares. It is located in Shibuya district, west of Shibuya Station, and is surrounded by many tourist sites such as Meiji Shrine, Meiji Forest and Omotesando Avenue.
History of Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park has a rich and interesting history. Before World War II, the site was used as a maneuvering field for the Imperial Japanese Army. After the war, American forces took over the site and used it as a military base until 1964, when the Summer Olympics were held in Tokyo.
At that time, the site was transformed into an Olympic village for the athletes. After the Olympics, the Olympic village was demolished and the site was turned into a public park. The park was opened in 1967 and quickly became a popular place for Tokyo residents and tourists.
What to see and do
Yoyogi Park offers many activities for visitors. It has extensive green spaces, walking paths, sports fields, picnic areas and children’s play areas. The park is also home to many cultural and musical events throughout the year.
On Sundays, the park hosts a wide variety of groups and individuals who gather to enjoy different activities. You can see groups of dancers of all kinds, musicians, street performers, jugglers, stilt walkers and many more.
The rose gardens are another popular attraction in the park. Visitors can admire beautiful roses of different varieties and colors during the flowering season, which takes place from late May to mid-June.
Yoyogi Park is also a great place for sports enthusiasts. It has soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis courts. There is also an indoor gym where visitors can practice various sports activities.
Meiji Shrine is located right next to Yoyogi Park. It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Visitors can walk through the shrine’s gardens and admire the traditional Japanese architecture.
Finally, Omotesando Avenue is a popular shopping area located near Yoyogi Park. It is famous for its fashion boutiques and cafes.
Access and hours
Yoyogi Park is open every day of the year and admission is free. The opening hours of the park vary slightly depending on the season, but in general, the park is open from 5am to 8pm or 9pm.
To access the park, visitors can use several means of transportation. The most convenient way is to take the train to Harajuku Station or Yoyogi Station, both of which are within walking distance of the park.
Visitors can also take the Tokyo subway to Meiji-Jingu-Mae Station, which is located right next to the Meiji Shrine and within walking distance of the park.
Finally, visitors can also use the bus lines that serve the Shibuya area, with stops near the park.
