Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park

Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park is a prefectural park located in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, and it opened in 1978. It is a vast park of approximately 50 hectares (equivalent to about 11 Tokyo Domes) developed on the site of Japan's first airfield, Tokorozawa Airfield, and is known as the "birthplace of Japanese aviation." The park is easily accessible, just a short walk from the east exit of the Seibu Shinjuku Line's Kuko Koen Station, making it a popular spot that boasts the largest scale in Saitama Prefecture.

Inside the park, there are sports facilities such as artificial turf fields, tennis courts, and baseball fields, as well as an outdoor stage with a capacity of 2,000 people, Japanese gardens, and a tea house called Saishotei, which blend sports and culture. The spacious lawn area includes playground equipment, a barbecue area, a dog run, and a basketball court, providing families and friends with a full day of enjoyment.

At the center of the park is the "Tokorozawa Aviation History Museum," which exhibits real aircraft such as the American-made C-46 transport plane and Japan's first passenger aircraft, the YS-11. Inside the museum, visitors can experience a flight simulator, a gravity experience device called the "Space Walker," and engage in activities like paper airplane making and large film screenings, allowing both children and adults to learn about aviation history and mechanics in a fun way.

Please note that the Tokorozawa Aviation History Museum is scheduled to be closed for extensive renovations from September 1, 2025, to the end of March 2027. Be sure to check for the latest information before your visit.

The park, rich in nature, showcases approximately 500 cherry trees in bloom during spring, while summer brings lush trees that provide cool shade. In autumn, ginkgo and maple trees turn beautifully colorful, and in winter, fragrant plum blossoms bloom in yellow. Particularly striking is the ginkgo tree-lined avenue that extends from the clock tower, which becomes a bustling spot during the leaf-changing season. The teahouse "Saishotei" in the Japanese garden offers a service of local Sayama tea, providing a moment of tranquility.

Additionally, regular "Living Creature Guide Walks" led by specialized instructors are held, allowing visitors to enjoy learning about the park's flowers, wild birds, and natural environment in a fun way. For local residents, it serves as a place of relaxation, while for tourists, it is an attractive park where aviation, nature, and culture can be experienced all at once. Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park, with its seasonal colors, is cherished by many as a "memorial park of the sky" that connects the past and the future.