Tokyo Weekender - November 2017

AREA GUIDE
GET BACK
TO NATURE
IN SHAKUJII
Words by Paul McInnes. Photographs by Stephan Jarvis
Craving peace and quiet? Explore the charms
of Shakujii Koen
PARK OFF
Tokyoites, to some, could be viewed as
a bit aloof and snobbish. A Japanese pal
once said that central dwellers (within
the Yamanote Line) look down their
collective nose at Nerima Ward, basically
dismissing it as Saitama Prefecture. Now,
not to ruffle too many Aoyama feathers,
but this is plainly not true. Granted,
Saitama isn’t the perfect place to live.
Known for being a tad dull and parochial,
it earned the nickname “Dasaitama”
or “Uncool Saitama.” Nerima’s Shakujii
Koen, however, isn’t in Saitama; it is
in Tokyo, and is simply stunning. It’s
quite a claim but only five minutes (by
express train) from the concrete jungle
of Ikebukuro on the Seibu Ikebukuro,
Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines, the
park is a superbly convenient and sophisticated
area for people wanting a bit
of deserved peace and quiet surrounded
by nature.
Kichijoji, in recent polls, gets all the
acclaim for being stylish and elegant
with its Inokashira Park and fashionable
boutiques and eateries. However, if
you’re looking for a park, and we mean
a real park, then Shakujii Koen with
its glorious Shakujii Lake and adjacent
Sampo-ji Lake is miles better. It’s true
that besides the ponds and park areas
there’s not that much to do in Shakujii
Koen, but the water and wildlife are second
to none in the Tokyo area. Popular
with fishermen, toy boat clubs, wildlife
8 | NOVEMBER 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER