Arakawa Nature Park
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Arakawa-Nichōme Stop · 1 min walk (Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line))
- Hours
- Varies by season and gate: typically 6:00–21:00 (Apr–Oct), 7:00–18:00 or 21:00 (Nov–Mar); South Gate closes earlier. Closed 1st & 3rd Thu (2nd & 3rd in Apr), Dec 29–Jan 3
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 45–90 min
- Best time to go
- Late June to late July, when the seasonal Insect Observation Garden opens for viewing live Japanese rhinoceros beetles
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Built directly atop a water reclamation center, Arakawa Nature Park is a masterclass in urban greening, featuring scenic wooden boardwalks, a swan pond, and seasonal wildflower gardens. It is a fantastic off-the-beaten-path escape where you can stroll through insect sanctuaries, watch local baseball games, or simply enjoy a quiet moment on the viewing platforms. Expect a serene, family-friendly atmosphere that showcases how Tokyo beautifully blends community spaces with environmental utility.
What Japanese guides note
Because the park sits atop an elevated artificial deck covering the active Mikawashima Water Reclamation Center, entry requires using ramped access paths or elevators, with the south gate opening right beside Arakawa-Nichome tram platform. Closing times differ depending on the gate and the calendar month, with the south gate shutting up to two hours earlier than the northern exits during the warmer seasons. The park enforces regular closures on the first and third Thursdays of each month, shifting uniquely to the second and third Thursdays in April.
Details from local sources
- Swan Pond is deliberately landscaped in the exact geographical shape of Arakawa Ward. [source]
- When its central zone opened in 1974 atop the Mikawashima Water Reclamation Center, it was only the second park in Tokyo built on artificial decking above a sewage treatment facility, following Ochiai Central Park. [source]
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government selected the park as one of the New Tokyo 100 Views in 1982. [source]
- While the northern traffic park lends bicycles and pedal karts to children for free, bringing personal bicycles into the park is prohibited. [source]
- During its summer operating window from late June to early August, the Insect Observation Garden closes daily from 12:00 to 13:00 so the beetles can rest. [source]
- The adjacent red-brick pumping complex of the Former Mikawashima Sewage Treatment Plant is a National Important Cultural Property accessible via advance reservation. [source]
Insider Tip
Visit the park's cycling park on the south side, where kids can borrow bicycles and go-karts to ride on a miniature road course for free.
Frequently asked
Can visitors bring their own bicycles into Arakawa Nature Park?
No, bringing personal bicycles into the park is prohibited. However, the traffic park in the northern section provides free rental bicycles, tricycles, and pedal go-karts for preschool and elementary school children to ride on dedicated practice streets outfitted with functioning signals and road signs.
When is the Insect Observation Garden open?
The Insect Observation Garden opens only during summer, typically from mid-to-late June through early August, between 10:00 and 16:00. It closes temporarily between 12:00 and 13:00 daily to let the beetles rest, and it shuts completely on rainy days and regular park closure days.
How can visitors tour the historic red-brick building next to the park?
The red-brick facility is the Former Mikawashima Sewage Treatment Plant Pumping Station, designated a National Important Cultural Property. It cannot be entered directly from the park walkways; prospective visitors must book guided tours in advance through the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Sewerage reservation system.
Is there parking available at Arakawa Nature Park?
No, Arakawa Nature Park has no on-site parking lots for motor vehicles. Drivers must find coin-operated public parking lots in the surrounding residential neighborhood. Arriving on foot via the Tokyo Sakura Tram to Arakawa-Nichome Stop provides direct elevator and ramp access to the south entrance.
Is Arakawa Nature Park open every day?
No, the park closes on the first and third Thursdays of each month, shifting to the next weekday if that Thursday is a public holiday. In April, closure moves to the second and third Thursdays. It also closes annually for New Year from December 29 to January 3.
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