Yoyogi Park

Revision as of 08:20, 16 April 2008

Yoyogi Park (代々木公園) is a large public park in the Harajuku area of Tokyo, Japan. The park is located near Harajuku Station and Meiji Jingu Shrine and not too far from the East area of Shibuya. Yoyogi Park is a popular gathering spot for Japanese and tourists, especially on weekends.

Yoyogi Park is the largest park in Tokyo if you include the area of nearby Meiji Jingu Shrine. The park contains vast areas of grass where people can play sports and lay out, ponds and fountains, and a huge number of trees including cherry trees, making the park a popular destination for Hanami parties in the spring.

Youth Subcultures and Yoyogi Park

The Harajuku Bridge, where young Japanese go to show off their cosplay on Sundays is located between Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Park. Other youth subculture activities in and around Yoyogi Park include:

• Hundreds of Japanese indie bands and amateur Japanese idols who perform along the road that runs along the West side of the park and on Shibuya Koen Dori every Saturday and Sunday.
• Japanese hippie style drummer and dancers (and sometimes jugglers and other street performers) who congregate around the fountains of the park each weekend.
• The famous Japanese Greasers - the 50's retro style guys and girls who dance near the entrance to the park on Sundays.
• Sometimes on Friday or Saturday nights people will setup guerrilla all night dance parties where DJs play music and young Japanese drink and dance into the early morning.

Yoyogi Park History

Yoyogi Park was created in 1910 and was an important military facility for U.S. forces after WWII.

Yoyogi Park Access

You can reach Yoyogi Park via various train and subway stations:

• JR Harajuku Station - Omotesando Exit (5 minute walk from the M
• Meiji-jingu-mae Station (5 minute walk)
• JR Shibuya Station (about a 20-30 minute walk)

Nearby Attractions

• Yoyogi Olympic Stadium
• Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Shibuya Koen Dori
• CC Lemon
• Shibuya AX
• Shibuaya Ward Office
• Harajuku
• Shibuya
• Harajuku Bridge

External Links

Tokyo Official Website Yoyogi Info