Nogawa Park
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Tama Station · 15 min walk (Seibu Tamagawa Line)
- Hours
- Open 24 hours (Service Center: 8:30–17:30; Nature Observation Garden & Center: 9:30–16:30, closed Mondays)
- Admission
- Free
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time to go
- Late September to early October for the blooming of approximately 10,000 red spider lilies (higanbana) in the Nature Observation Garden, or late March to early April for cherry blossoms.
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Nogawa Park is a sprawling, nature-rich oasis spanning Mitaka, Chofu, and Koganei. Built on a former golf course, it features a pristine natural spring, the scenic Nogawa River, and a dedicated sanctuary protecting local flora and fauna. It is an ideal escape from Tokyo's concrete jungle, offering visitors lush lawns, peaceful walking trails, and vibrant seasonal cherry blossoms.
What Japanese guides note
Nogawa Park forms a continuous green walking belt along the Nogawa River alongside adjacent Musashino Park and Tama Cemetery, making it a popular trail for birdwatching kingfishers. While the outer lawns and river paths remain accessible around the clock, entry to the enclosed Nature Observation Garden requires daytime arrival before its 16:30 closure, and it remains closed on Mondays. Major thoroughfare Tōhachi Road separates the southern sports fields and barbecue grounds from the northern forest, but pedestrian bridges connect both sides directly.
Details from local sources
- The park was constructed on the former golf course of International Christian University, which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government began purchasing in 1974 before opening the public park in June 1980. [source]
- The grounds span across the borders of three separate municipalities: Mitaka, Chofu, and Koganei cities. [source]
- The park is physically divided into three distinct sectors by Tōhachi Road and the Nogawa River, resting against the Kokubunji Cliff Line on its northern edge. [source]
- The former golf course here served as the real-world setting depicted in Haruki Murakami's 1980 novel Pinball, 1973. [source]
- Around 10,000 red spider lilies grow across the forest floor of the park's Nature Observation Garden alongside rarer white varieties. [source]
- The Nature Observation Garden and its accompanying center operate only from 9:30 to 16:30 and close on Mondays or the following Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. [source]
Insider Tip
Bring a picnic blanket and head to the Kokubunji Cliffline section for the best shaded spots under the towering ancient trees.
Frequently asked
How do you reach Nogawa Park using public transit?
Take the Seibu Tamagawa Line to Tama Station or Shin-Koganei Station and walk 15 minutes. Alternatively, board local buses from JR Mitaka Station, Musashi-Koganei Station, or Keio Line Chofu Station, getting off at either Nogawa-kōen-ichinohashi or Nogawa-kōen-iriguchi stops near the park borders.
Is the Nature Observation Garden open at all times?
No. While the main park grounds are open 24 hours, the Nature Observation Garden and Nature Observation Center operate strictly from 9:30 to 16:30. Both facilities close every Monday (or the following weekday if Monday falls on a national holiday) and between December 29 and January 3.
What is Nogawa Park's connection to Haruki Murakami?
Before opening as a metropolitan park in 1980, the site served as a private golf course owned by neighboring International Christian University. Japanese literary commentary and regional guides recognize this former course as the model for the abandoned golf links described in Haruki Murakami's 1980 novel, Pinball, 1973.
Can visitors barbecue in Nogawa Park?
Yes, but cooking is restricted entirely to the dedicated barbecue plaza and requires free advance reservations with the service center. Open campfires, cassette stoves, tents, and tarps are banned. All barbecue supplies must be brought by visitors, and all garbage must be taken home when leaving.
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