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In early May 2023, at Nishi Tachikawa Station (JR Chuo Line), lots of people got off the train to go to Showa Kinen Park. They all had the same bright idea for the holidays: Go somewhere close, but nice. Only 30 min. from Shinjuku.
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Nishi Tachikawa entrance to Showa Kinen Park. Use your Suica card or buy tickets from the vending machine. The signboard promotes the flowers currently in bloom: red poppies.
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After entering the park through the Nishi-Tachikawa Entrance, you see this scene of the Waterfowl Pond and pedal boats. 水鳥の池
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Pedal boats are very popular. This is the boat dock.
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Long line to buy tickets for the pedal boats. This was during Golden Week in early May 2023.
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Another long line to get on the boat.
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Waterfowl Pond.
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Waterfowl Pond.
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The park has multiple ponds, but this Waterfowl Pond is the largest one.
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Lots of large trees for shade.
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Long line to rent a bicycle at Nishi-Tachikawa Cycle Center. Only ¥600 for 3 hours. 西立川口サイクルセンター
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Types of bicycles available for rent. But all gone. Long wait.
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More large trees.
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Oka Cafe built with wood from the Tama Region of Tokyo. オカカフェ
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Since it was a sunny day, many people brought their own tents and stayed under the tree shade.
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Long lines at most refreshment stands. This one was for snow cones.
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Center of the park is this large lawn where people can play. Called "Minna no Harappa" or Field for All. みんなの原っぱ
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The large field is lined with shady trees along the fringe. Most must be cherry blossoms.
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The park is fringed with a tree-lined walking path.
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Pleasant place to be with all the trees and greenery. Wise decision to convert the former Tachikawa US Air Force Base into this park.
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Directional signs in English.
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Rental bicycles are popular to get around the large park.
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Train-shaped bus to get around the park.
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Entrance to the Japanese Garden.
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Map of Japanese garden at Showa Kinen Park. The Japanese garden is a 20-min. walk from the Nishi Tachikawa park entrance. That's how big the park is.
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Peonies
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Peony
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Japanese garden at Showa Kinen Park.
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Showa Kinen Park's Japanese garden.
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Showa Kinen Park's Japanese garden.
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Showa Kinen Park's Japanese garden.
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Red poppy field on the western fringe of the large field. Called the Bouquet Garden. ブーケガーデン
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The field of red poppies has a walking path in the middle. Poppy field is much bigger than it looks.
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The field of red Shirley poppies at Showa Kinen Park. シャーレーポピー
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The field of red poppies at Showa Kinen Park.
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Bouquet Garden has poppies mixed in with other flowers blooming in May. Perfect to make a bouquet, but we're not allowed to pick the flowers. シャーレーポピー
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Pretty flowers.
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Other flowers in the mix include dianthus and delphinium.
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Path through the Bouquet Garden's poppies and other flowers.
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More red poppies.
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The field of red poppies at Showa Kinen Park.
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The field of red poppies at Showa Kinen Park.
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Bouquet Garden's poppies and other flowers at Showa Kinen Park.
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes). There's more on a large slope elsewhere in the park.
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Closeup of nemophila (baby blue eyes)
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Moss pink
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Cornflowers
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Reminds me of artist Murakami Takashi.
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Patches of tulips already finished blooming. Must've been colorful from late March to mid-April.
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Across this pond was a crowd ogling baby blue eyes.
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Showa Kinen Park also has a large slope with nemophila (baby blue eyes). Crowd favorite.
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes) at Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa, Tokyo.
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes)
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JR Nishi-Tachikawa Station, the closest train station to the park. A bridge connects the station to the park entrance.
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Nishi Tachikawa park entrance (admission charged). The following photos were taken during cherry blossom season.
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Waterfowl Pond and boats. Grass is still dry and not green in April.
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Boat pier
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Oiutdoor cafe near the boat house.
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Putter golf course
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Transportation
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The large field named "Minna no Harappa" or Field for All. みんなの原っぱ
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Cherry blossoms
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Cherry blossoms bloom from late March to mid-April.
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Cherry blossoms
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Japanese Garden 日本庭園
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Bonsai exhibition
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Bonsai exhibition
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Cherry blossoms
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Water Fountain
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Katarai Promenade and canal
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Emperor Showa Memorial Museum within Hana-midori Bunka Center. One-room museum with various exhibits on Emperor Showa (Hirohito). His marine biology lab is reproduced, a horse-drawn carriage, videos, etc., are shown. 昭和天皇記念館
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Inside Hana-midori Bunka Center
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Hana-midori Bunka Center
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