Senzoku-ike Park: Autumn colors

Returning to neighborhood parks that aren’t on everyone’s radar for Kōyō (colourful leaves), I made a quick trip to Senzoku-ike Park in the Ota Ward of Tokyo.

This park is open 24 hours a day and is dominated by a large pond. You can rent row and paddle boats or walk around the pond to explore the park. I started my trip on the Tokyu Ikegami Line which stops at Senzokuike Station. I got out of the station, crossed the street and turned left. You can already see the park from there.

A Place With History

What at first glance was just a bigger neighborhood park is actually much more. During the Edo period (1603-1867), the park was featured in many pictures and literary work. Naval engineer, commander and statesman Katsu Kaishu was so enamored with the park, that he built his retirement home there.

After he passed away in 1899, he was buried near the site of his home, with his wife Tami later transferred there upon her death. You can visit their gravesite as well as the Katsu Kaishu Memorial Museum located next to the park.

Religious Sites at Senzoku-ike

Besides memorial sites and various facilities like a playground, there is also the Shinto shrine Senzoku Hachiman Jinja , the Myofukuji Temple and the Itsukushima Jinja. The latter is located on a small island of the pond connected by a bridge.

Add to that the vegetation, and you have many scenic spot around the pond. The park was formally designated as a scenic spot in 1930.

Scenic Beauty

…and scenic it is! With its location far outside the big transit hubs, Senzoku-ike is more quiet and tranquil than Yoyogi or Shinjuku Gyoen. You can spot carp and turtles in the pond and there was enough autumn colors to make me happy.