2026年8月3日（月） 第177号

ニュースそのものより、ニュースを見た人のこと。

Travel / Tokyo Metropolis

Yoyogi Park

A 3-minute walk from Harajuku and Shibuya, this metropolitan park is free to enter and open at all times. The fifth-largest Tokyo Metropolitan Government park within the 23 Special Wards, it also holds the legacy of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

View of Yoyogi Park's grounds and scenery

Photo: Nyao148 / CC BY 3.0

Key Facts August 2, 2026 · confirmed on official site
Access
3-min walk from JR Yamanote Line 'Harajuku' Station / 3-min walk from Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line 'Yoyogi-koen' Station / 3-min walk from Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line & Fukutoshin Line 'Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku)' Station / 6-min walk from Odakyu Line 'Yoyogi-Hachiman' Station
Duration
1–2 hours for a stroll; allow approximately half a day if including a picnic or visiting facilities (no official guideline stated)
Price
Free admission (some facilities may charge separately)
Hours
Open at all times (Service Center and individual facilities maintain their own hours)
Closed
The park itself is open year-round. The Service Center and some facilities are closed over the New Year holiday period.
Visit official site ↗

Prices and hours may change. Please check the official site before you go.

Vast Greenery, Free to Enter, Just 3 Minutes from the City Center

Yoyogi Park is a metropolitan park located in Shibuya City, Tokyo. Just a 3-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line 'Harajuku' Station and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line 'Yoyogi-koen' Station, it sits right in the heart of the city — and admission is completely free. It ranks as the fifth-largest Tokyo Metropolitan Government park within the 23 Special Wards. Because the park is open at all times, visitors can drop by whenever suits them, from an early-morning stroll to a late-evening walk. The expansive lawn area offers a remarkable sense of openness: children run freely, groups spread out picnic sheets and relax, and everyone finds their own way to enjoy the space. On weekends it becomes a true urban oasis, drawing local families, joggers, and tourists alike.

A Historic Stage Where the Memory of 1964 Lives On

Yoyogi Park is also deeply connected to the 1964 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The park's athletics track, 'Oda Field,' served as the opening ceremony venue and competition site for the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games. It takes its name from Mikio Oda, the track-and-field athlete who became Japan's first Olympic gold medalist at the 1928 Amsterdam Games — a storied name still in active use today. Within the park stands another landmark: a building known as the 'Olympic Memorial Lodge.' Originally used as accommodation for the Dutch national team during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, this historic structure was demolished and rebuilt in 2025 due to aging, then reopened on April 9, 2026 as 'Doutor Park Café YOYOGI' (open 7:00 AM–7:00 PM, with 34 indoor seats and 44 terrace seats). It has quickly gained popularity as a spot where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee inside a building with a remarkable history (sources: Tokyo Shimbun, BE-PAL).

Picnic on the Lawn, Break a Sweat on the Running Course

The vast lawn that forms the heart of Yoyogi Park is one of the most open and unrestricted spaces in all of Tokyo. With few obstacles in the way, there is more than enough room for children to run at full speed. Note that under the park's official rules (revised June 2023), ball sports such as baseball, soccer, and golf are prohibited. If you are planning any ball activities, please check in advance with the official website or the Service Center (03-3469-6081). The lawn is a favourite spot for picnickers who spread out mats and enjoy packed lunches; on sunny weekends, the grass is blanketed in colourful sheets as far as the eye can see. The park's perimeter and interior paths are also popular with runners, with many joggers gathering from early morning. Everything is flexible — there is no set course or dress code — and the park is just as enjoyable at a leisurely walking pace. For cycling, there are several shared-bike ports around the park, and it is common to see visitors cycling around the surrounding area (check individual services for terms and fees).

Walk Straight to Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya

Another great strength of Yoyogi Park is its location right next to some of Tokyo's most vibrant neighbourhoods. Step out through the Harajuku Gate and you are just a few minutes' walk from Takeshita-dori. Omotesando and Shibuya are also easily reachable on foot. This makes it perfectly natural to relax in the park first and then head out shopping, or to duck into the park for a breather after a long day of browsing — no transit required. On weekends the park sometimes hosts flea markets and events, offering a green, unhurried alternative to the busy shopping streets nearby. A particularly popular way to experience Tokyo like a regular is to spend the afternoon wandering Harajuku and Omotesando, then wind down on the lawn at dusk before heading home.

Things to Check Before You Visit

Because Yoyogi Park is open at all times, you do not need to worry about entry hours. However, the Service Center and individual facilities within the park have their own operating hours, and some close over the New Year holiday. If you are heading to a specific facility or café, it is worth confirming in advance (enquiries: Yoyogi Park Service Center, 03-3469-6081). Entry to the park itself is free, though some facilities charge separately. A 65-space car park is available and open 24 hours (paid; details on the official website and s-park), but access restrictions may apply on weekends and public holidays due to congestion. Arriving by public transport — JR or subway — is the most practical option.

Misaki Takahashi

How this character would spend the day

Misaki's Recommended Route (Harajuku × Yoyogi Photo-Ready Course)

  1. 10:00Set off from JR Harajuku Station. Head out from the Omotesando Exit and enter Yoyogi Park in a 3-minute walk. Start by taking photos on the lawn — the sweeping green and blue sky on a clear day are effortlessly photogenic.
  2. 10:45Head over to 'Doutor Park Café YOYOGI.' The building is a rebuilt version of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics lodge that housed the Dutch national team, opened in April 2026. Getting a shot with this historic building as your backdrop is a composition you simply cannot recreate anywhere else. Sit back, have a coffee, and take in the architecture at your leisure (open 7:00 AM–7:00 PM).
  3. 12:00Lay out a picnic sheet on the lawn for lunch. Bread from a Harajuku bakery somehow tastes so much better when you eat it surrounded by greenery. Since the park is free, you have a little extra budget to spend on something nice to eat.
  4. 13:30Exit the park and head towards Harajuku and Takeshita-dori. Browse the shops that catch your eye as you drift towards Omotesando.
  5. 15:30Afternoon break at a café in Omotesando. For Misaki, the right balance is spending a free half-day in the park and then treating yourself here with the money you saved.