Shiba Park

Lost beneath the shadow of Tokyo Tower, Shiba Park whispers stories of centuries past. Shiba Park isn’t just a green oasis amidst the urban sprawl. It’s a living testament to Tokyo’s rich history. Officially designated a park in 1873, Shiba Park holds the distinction of being Japan’s oldest public park. This tranquil haven predates even the iconic Tokyo Tower that now looms over it. Imagine strolling through lawns once part of the Okubo clan’s Edo-period garden. Today, these same lawns offer respite to young mothers and children. Salarymen stretch on exercise machines, and joggers circle the park’s perimeter. Shiba Park is more than just open space. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of history, nature, and hidden gems. Within Shiba Park lies the Maruyama burial mound, one of Tokyo’s largest kofun. This 110-meter-long mound, shrouded in trees, is a silent sentinel of an unknown past. Nearby, the restored Momiji-dani, or “autumn leaf valley,” offers a spectacle of color in the fall. A massive Japanese zelkova tree, reaching 20 meters high, stands as a testament to nature’s enduring power. Shiba Park also holds a connection to a figure more commonly associated with Nagasaki: Thomas Glover, the Scottish merchant. Glover’s Tokyo residence was located within the park, and it was here that he passed away in 1911. Originally, Shiba Park encompassed the adjacent Zojoji Temple. After World War II, the temple was separated from the park. However, the Shiba Toshogu Shrine, once part of Zojoji, remains within the park. Near its entrance, a giant ginkgo tree, a National Treasure, is believed to have been planted by Iemitsu Tokugawa himself. Shiba Park invites you to explore its diverse sections, from the area around Tokyo Tower’s base to the serene expanse west of Zojoji Temple. It offers a tranquil escape, a place to connect with nature and history, and a chance to discover the hidden wonders within this bustling metropolis.