Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park, which opened in 1903, was Japan’s first “Western-style” urban park and is located in the Hibiya area of Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Adjacent to major centers of politics, business, and culture such as Kasumigaseki and Ginza, it is beloved as a “green oasis” where visitors can feel both nature and history in the heart of the city.

Originally, the site was home to feudal lords’ residences such as that of Matsudaira Hizen-no-kami during the Edo period, and during the Meiji era it was used as an army drill ground. Later, as part of Tokyo’s city improvement and planning project, the area was designated for park development, and Hibiya Park was created based on the design of Dr. Seiroku Honda.

While actively incorporating elements of Western gardens, Hibiya Park also preserves Japanese scenery in many places, giving it a distinctive harmony of Japanese and Western aesthetics. Seasonal flowers, the grand fountain, and Kumogata Pond are among the many highlights that delight visitors.

Main Highlights

Grand Fountain / Fountain Plaza (currently under construction)
The Grand Fountain, a symbol of Hibiya Park, operates from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (except on regular cleaning days, etc.), and offers 24 fountain patterns in a 28-minute cycle. The fountain basin has a three-tier structure of upper, middle, and lower levels, with a diameter of about 30 meters and a main jet reaching approximately 12 meters high. At night, it is illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.

No. 1 Flower Bed / Pelican Fountain
The “No. 1 Flower Bed,” which dates back to the park’s opening, was the first place in Japan to adopt a Western-style flower bed design. It was originally planted with many Western flowers that were rare in Japan at the time, such as tulips and pansies. Even today, seasonal flowers bloom beautifully and delight visitors. The “Pelican Fountain” within the flower bed was donated in 1953 with the sponsorship of a cement company, and its unique design leaves a strong impression.

Hibiya Mitsuke Ruins / Shinjike Pond
Inside the park, the stone walls of “Hibiya Mitsuke,” an Edo-period relic, remain. This was once one of the outer gates of Edo Castle and an important passage for feudal lords heading to the castle. The stone walls were built using a technique called nozurazumi, preserving early Edo-period stonework techniques to this day. The area has been developed as Shinjike Pond, named because the shape of the pond resembles the character for “heart” (心). Visitors can enjoy a graceful Japanese garden-like landscape.

The Hanging-Neck Ginkgo
One of the most striking trees in the park is the “Kubikake Ginkgo,” an enormous tree estimated to be 400 to 500 years old, with a trunk circumference of about 7 meters. It originally stood near the present-day Hibiya intersection, but just before it was to be cut down for road expansion, Dr. Seiroku Honda insisted that it should be transplanted “even if it cost him his own neck.” In 1902, the tree was transplanted over a distance of about 450 meters in 25 days. Today, it is cherished as a symbolic tree of Hibiya Park.

Cranes Fountain and Kumogata Pond
The “Crane Fountain,” a symbolic feature since the park’s opening, was temporarily removed during wartime and the pond was filled in, but it was restored after the war and continues to welcome visitors today. Kumogata Pond, where the fountain stands, is said to be the third-oldest artificial pond in Japan, and in autumn it offers a beautiful view of colorful foliage reflected on the water’s surface.

Events and Facilities
Hibiya Park is equipped with cultural facilities such as the Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall and Hibiya Public Hall, where music events, lectures, and festivals are held throughout the year. The park also has cafés and restaurants scattered throughout, creating a space where visitors can relax even in the middle of the city.

The Appeal of Hibiya Park
As an urban park where nature, history, and culture come together, Hibiya Park was a pioneer of modern urban parks in Japan. Seasonal flowers and autumn leaves, landscapes featuring ponds and fountains, and a tranquil atmosphere that seems unimaginable in the center of the city bring comfort and relaxation to many people.

Because government offices and business districts are nearby, it is widely appreciated by a diverse range of visitors: office workers come on weekdays for a break, while families and tourists visit on weekends to stroll through the park.