You don’t have to be a kid to fling socks and shoes to the wind and dip your hot, tired feet in these inviting summertime streams, pools and fountains. Best of all, these are all in public parks, so they’re free!
A typical splashpark has water so safely shallow that even for the tiniest tots it can barely be called wading.
But you don’t need to go deep or get very wet to enjoy the refreshing sensation of cool water between your toes.
This fountain is in Asukayama Park, near Oji Station, but it’s just the beginning of the water features designed for summertime wading!
The plaza anchored by the fountain is ringed by an artfully gorgeous rocky cliffs and waterfalls…
And the stream is designed for children to play in.
•
But it’s another nearby splashpark that’s my favorite secret summertime spot in Tokyo. Chances are, you’ll never find the Otonashi Water Park without a map, because you can’t see it from sidewalk level until you’re right on top of it. This gorgeously landscaped stream runs along the bottom of a gorge…
shaded by towering cherry trees…
and crossed by picturesque bridges.
It invites people of all ages to get their feet wet—whether you wade and splash or just perch on one of the handy boulders and dangle your feet— and a little detour through its leafy coolness will definitely restore your soul.
Even better, it’s never crowded.
•
A different kind of splash park starts near Skytree and runs toward Kinshicho Station. Oyokogawa Water Park is about as close as you can get to summertime kid heaven. It’s a string of playgrounds—all with different play equipment—connected by a meandering stream and bordered by a lush and shady green space. If you’ve got kids, this is the easiest place to spend a few happy hours with them in the months when Tokyo is hotter than yakitori on a grill.
Steppingstones and little beaches invite socks and shoes to be abandoned on the grass…
Bridges make it easy for those still wearing shoes to get from one side to the other…
But be forewarned: I suspect that 100% of children who are told they can play here as long as they don’t get their feet wet go home with at least one soaked shoe.
Extra bonus: Oyokogawa Water Park is right next to the delightful Tobacco & Salt Museum, which provides a different kind of air conditioned entertainment for all ages for only ¥100 (kids get in for ¥50!)
•
Click here for more Seasonal Secret posts
•
Or get more seasonal delights sent to your email every month when you subscribe!
•
•
•
Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Japanagram 