Sarue Onshi Park

Sarue Onshi Park is a 16-hectare public park located in Koto Ward, Tokyo, originally part of the Kiba Imperial Timber Yards that supplied wood to Edo Castle during the feudal period. The site was converted into a park and gifted to Tokyo City by the Imperial Household in 1924, with the name "Onshi" meaning "imperial gift." The park was significantly renovated and reopened in 1932, establishing its current layout as a Western-style landscape garden that incorporates both natural elements and recreational facilities.

The park centers around a large ornamental pond that attracts diverse birdlife throughout the year, making it a notable spot for urban birdwatching in Tokyo. Cherry trees line the pathways and surround the pond, drawing considerable crowds during the spring bloom season when the park becomes one of the area's popular hanami viewing locations. The landscape includes open lawns, tree-lined promenades, and a Japanese garden section that provides a contrast to the broader Western design. Sports facilities within the grounds include tennis courts and a baseball field available for public use.

Visitors can walk the circumference of the pond on paved paths that offer changing perspectives of the water and vegetation, while wooden observation decks extend over the water for closer views of waterfowl and aquatic plants. The park serves local residents as a regular recreational space but also functions as an evacuation area designated for disaster preparedness, reflecting its role in Tokyo's urban infrastructure. Children's play areas and rest facilities are distributed throughout the grounds, accommodating families and casual visitors.

The park is accessible via the Toei Shinjuku Line at Sumiyoshi Station, approximately 15 minutes on foot from Exit A4, or from Kinshicho Station on the JR Sobu Line and Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, about 15 minutes walking distance. Entry to Sarue Onshi Park is free of charge year-round, though fees apply separately for tennis court reservations and other sports facility bookings through the park's management office.