Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park
Park during cherry blossom season.
Location	Musashino and Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates	35°42′03″N 139°34′27″E / 35.70083°N 139.57417°E / 35.70083; 139.57417Coordinates: 35°42′03″N 139°34′27″E / 35.70083°N 139.57417°E / 35.70083; 139.57417
Area	385,844.02 square metres (95.34413 acres)
Created	May 1, 1917
Public transit access	Kichijōji Station

Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園, Inokashira Onshi Kōen^?) straddles Musashino and Mitaka in western Tokyo, Japan. Inokashira Pond (井の頭池) and the Kanda River water source (神田上水, Kanda jōsui^?), established during the Edo period, are the primary sources of the Kanda River.

The land was given to Tokyo in 1913. On May 1, 1918, it opened under the name Inokashira Onshi Kōen (井の頭恩賜公園), which can be translated as, "Inokashira Imperial Grant Park". Thus the park was considered a gift from the Emperor to the general public. This was the first time in Tokyo that a park was founded in such a manner.

Inokashira Park encompasses Inokashira pond in its center. Inokashira Pond is a long, narrow pond, stretching from northwest to southeast, and split into two branches at the northwest end. From the southeast end, the Kanda River flows outward. A section of the stream is also within the bounds of the park. On the west side of the park is a thicket, in Gotenyama, and a small zoo. On the other side of Kichijoji Ave. is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction. On the southern side of the thicket, the Tamagawa Aqueduct flows toward the southeast, and further south is the “western park” area. Beside the downstream section of the Tamagawa Aqueduct is there is an “Eastern Garden,” which includes a small open area.

With regard to city boundaries, the Inokashira Pond section of the Kanda River in the park, Inokashira-kōen Station, and the West and East gardens are in Mitaka. The area of the park beginning just past the northern shore of Inokashira Pond is in Musashino. Near the park, less than 500 meters from Inokashira Pond is Kichijōji station, on the JR Chuo Line. Kichijōji Station has a Park Exit (公園口, kōen guchi^?) on its south side, facing toward the park. The path from the station toward the pond is lined with shops aimed at young people. In the southeast of the park is Inokashira-kōen Station, on the Keio Inokashira Line, which runs parallel to the Kanda River. The distance from the station to the pond is very short, and there are small paths and open spaces between them which visitors can wander through. It is said that, if you ride the boats on Inokashira Park's pond with a girlfriend, you will surely break up soon.