Nope. It's not the famous Ichō Namiki, the ginkgo-lined avenue that runs from
Aoyama 1-chome to Meiji Jingu Gaien. Ichō Namiki
may be beautiful, but it's crowded and there are too many cars and it's entirely too predictable. (Quoth she with her tongue firmly in her cheek.)
Tokyo's best ginkgo avenue* is in Shōwa Kinen Park in Tachikawa. As a matter of fact, you'll get two avenues for the price of one: one marches neatly disciplined next to a shallow canal, the other ambles au naturale through the sports area. However, you'll have to hurry, because the trees are at their peak right now. (My photos were taken this morning.) It's a bit far away if you don't live in Western Tokyo, but it takes only 30 minutes on a Chuo Line express train from Shinjuku to Tachikawa. The park's entrance fee is ¥400.
Quick warning that you'll need at least two hours to enjoy the ginkgo trees. If you want to include the Japanese garden in your visit, double that time. Shōwa Kinen Park is a big, beautiful complex that requires a day trip, not a quick scamper. Just a pity about the constant whop-whop-whopping of helicopters from nearby Yokota, a United States Air Force base. (All your park are belong to us?) The noise puts me on edge. Do residents get used to it? I don't think I could ever live in that area, and heaven knows how the Okinawans cope.
I've included maps that show you exactly where you should go to see the two avenues. The canal walk is closer to Tachikawa Station; the sports area walk is closer to Nishi-Tachikawa (one stop from Tachikawa on the Ome Line).
* My favourite ginkgo spot remains the University of Tokyo's Hongō campus, but this is the best avenue.
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| This photo was taken with my Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. Nice colours. Click on the photos to see bigger versions . |
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| The ginkgo avenue closest to Tachikawa Station |
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| The ginkgo avenue in the sports area |
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| Friends |
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| Yellow on yellow |
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| The big pond near the Nishi-Tachikawa entrance |
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| The REAL symbol of autumn in Japan: not autumn leaves, but susuki (ススキ, scientific name Miscanthus sinensis). |
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| You want red leaves? OK! Some Japanese maples have started changing. |
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| I love cats! |
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| The ginkgo area closest to Tachikawa Station |
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| The ginkgo area in the sports area |
Goodie! It's like you can read my mind and put up this post for me.
ReplyDelete;)
If you have enough time, this park would be a great excursion, and then you're so close to Takao-san you might as well go for a run up the mountain ... (^_^)
ReplyDelete@Rurousha,
ReplyDeleteDon't tempt me! LOL
But think of the lovely photos you could take and the great story you could tell on your blog! ;) Oh all right then. You'll probably get enough exercise marching through the park anyway.
ReplyDeleteHi Rurousha, came here from Lina's.
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome shots of the lovely park. How timely too for Lina's forthcoming visit.
Hallo, HappySurfer! (What a great name!) These trees are just jaw-droppingly gobsmackingly flabbergastingly beautiful. Sometimes I wish it could remain autumn forever, but then we won't see the cherry blossoms, so ... maybe the different seasons are best. :) Lina and her family are arriving at just the right moment. I hope they will have a red-and-gold great time.
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