Park · Shirokanedai
Institute for Nature Study 国立科学博物館附属自然教育園
A 20-hectare slice of primeval Musashino forest and marsh in Shirokanedai, deliberately left wild since the 1940s, with boardwalks, kingfishers and almost no people.
Under 18 / 65+: Free
About
Behind a modest gate on Meguro-dori lies one of central Tokyo's strangest places: a former daimyo estate allowed to revert to wild woodland and wetland, managed by the National Museum of Nature and Science. There are no lawns or flower beds, just towering chinquapins, reed marshes, ponds and dirt paths, with boardwalks over the wetlands. Birders come for kingfishers and owls, and in summer the dragonflies and dappled light are magical. Visitor numbers are capped, the only sounds are birdsong and wind, and the Teien Art Museum is next door.
Highlights
- Untamed Musashino-style forest inside the Yamanote loop
- Boardwalks through reed marsh and ponds
- Kingfishers, herons and seasonal wildflowers
- Ancient trees including the 'Orochi' (serpent) pine
- Exhibition room with seasonal nature displays
Tips
- Closed Mondays and the day after holidays; last entry 16:00
- Bring mosquito repellent in summer
- Combine with the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum next door
- Early morning is best for birds and photography
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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Open in the appNearby
- Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art MuseumMuseum · 100 m away
- JizozushiSushi & Seafood · 320 m away
- TorishikiIzakaya · 390 m away
- Matsuoka Museum of ArtMuseum · 410 m away
- Meguro CinemaMovie Theaters · 430 m away
- Coin Lockers · Meguro StationLuggage Storage · 520 m away
- Platinum Don Quijote ShirokanedaiUnique Store · 540 m away
- Minato City Local History MuseumMuseum · 550 m away