Asukayama Park, Public park in Ōji, Japan.
Asukayama Park is a public park on a hill in Ōji with more than six hundred cherry trees, three museums, and a play area for children. The hill rises about 25 meters (82 feet) above the surrounding area and offers a view over the nearby residential districts and railway lines.
Tokugawa Yoshimune founded this place in 1720 as a public recreation space for the city's residents, long before Japan established official parks. The official recognition as a park came in 1873, making this location one of the oldest public green spaces in the country.
In spring, families and friends gather under the lit cherry trees for hanami, bringing blankets and food and often celebrating into the evening. The name Asukayama means flying bird mountain and refers to old legends about birds that rested here.
Entry is free and a small funicular takes visitors from Oji Station up the hill, which is especially helpful for people with mobility limitations. The paths are paved and lead through the tree rows, while individual areas are connected by stairs or ramps.
The small funicular is nicknamed snail because of its slow speed and the spiral motion along the track. Two old locomotives from the early 20th century stand on display in the park and recall the railway history of the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
