Institute for Nature Study — Attraction in Tokyo

Exceeded expectations. What i thought would be an average park like shinjuku gyoen, turned out be more like an actual nature conservation area (albeit a very small one). It’s a dense forest comparable to those of singapore, with ponds and marshes in them. because i was going in the middle of August i didn’t see any good wildlife, but during the fall and winter, there should be good birds to photograph (goshawks, kingfishers, etc). Speaking of kingfishers, it looks like an amazing place for them - ponds, rivers, lots of great perches. But i must mention that other parks like kasai seaside park are much better options if you’re wanting to see some rare species. The park is amazing well designed. There are paths that have frequent rest areas (with benches, tables, and water fountains) and public bathrooms (i counted two inside the park). The visitor center is even more impressive. it is well air conditioned, which is very important during the summer. There is a display in the middle of the visitor center with what seems like taxidermied birds, which have labels and a button that when pressed, plays the bird’s calls. There’s a dilettante room with a display of butterflies. There’s even a gift shop, from which you can buy books about birding (yes, sadly they are all in japanese), bird dolls, and other...

For people who love botanic gardens or natural forest, finding a nature reserve can be rather difficult in metropolitans, but visitors and residents can find a huge nature reserve in the heart of Tokyo, and it is Institute of Nature Study, which is actually a national reserve, quite like a large forest park. This nature reserve is located near Megura Station in the center of Tokyo. Institute of Nature Study was formerly an estate of noble and then imperial family from 500 years ago and it is open to the public in 1949.

It is an ideal place for lovers of bird-watch, trees and flowers, and natural trails. But it is also an excellent educational ground for showing young students about nature. This forest reserve has pond, marsh, grass lands, pine and oak forest, in addition to plant gardens.

The nature reserve has various wooden posting signs to explain how tree-leave color changes, soil use, and other natural elements which affect our life and our earth.

Entrance fee is $320 Yen for adults, but free for seniors over 65 years old and for high-school students...

A great place if you need to take a break from the city but don't have the time to actually go hiking. Very nice momiji colours in the autumn (best bring your long lens for these!)

It takes about 1.5h to walk around the park (you can only walk on paths). There are no great views but it's enough to get a "Nature fix" because the plants have a "wild" look about them and there are no vending machines or shops apart from the ones at the exit/entrance.

If you plan on having a picnic, there are benches and toilets in various places around the park but no thrash cans.

The paths are not paved and can get muddy...