Parks Near Ekoda & Nerima for Kids: A Local's List

The best parks for kids near Ekoda and Nerima are Hikarigaoka Park, Shakujii Park, Nerima-joshi Park next to the Harry Potter studio, and the free adventure playground at Nerima Kodomo no Mori. All are free to enter and within about 20 minutes of our homes by train. Two more, Egota no Mori Park and Johoku Chuo Park, are a short bus ride or a longer walk from Ekoda. Here is what each one is good for, with the details parents ask us about: playgrounds, toilets, hours and how to get there with a stroller.

Where can kids play in the dirt with real tools?

Nerima Kodomo no Mori (Children's Forest) is a ward-run adventure playground in Hazawa, north of Ekoda, on what used to be farmland. Instead of plastic play sets, it has a woodworking area where children use real hammers, nails and saws, simple climbing structures, a water-play spot and plenty of mud. Staff are on site. Entry is free.

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March to September, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October to February, per Nerima Ward
• Closed: December 29 to January 3
• Access: about 10 minutes on foot from exit 2 of Hikawadai Station (Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines)

Bring a full change of clothes and a towel. Kids will get dirty, which is the point.

Which park is best for a full day out?

Hikarigaoka Park is the biggest park in the area at more than 60 hectares. It has a large lawn for running and picnics, a kids' play area with play equipment, baseball fields, tennis courts, an athletics track and a bird sanctuary. It also has about 1,000 cherry trees for spring and tall ginkgo trees that turn gold in late autumn. The paths are wide and flat, so strollers are easy.

Getting there: ride the Toei Oedo Line from Nerima Station to Hikarigaoka, the last stop, then walk about 8 minutes. From Ekoda, take the Seibu line two stops to Nerima and change. There is a shopping mall by Hikarigaoka Station if you need lunch or a diaper change indoors.

Is there a playground near the Harry Potter studio?

Yes. Nerima-joshi Park is a Tokyo metropolitan park on part of the old Toshimaen amusement park site, right by Toshimaen Station and the Warner Bros. studio tour. Its first areas opened on May 1, 2023. They include a lawn, a riverside walk, and an inclusive playground designed so children who use wheelchairs can play too. The playground has wide slopes, swings where a parent and child can face each other, slides, seesaws and mini trampolines on a soft rubber surface. More of the park is still being developed, so expect some fenced-off areas.

It makes an easy before-or-after stop on studio day. Younger siblings who are not into the tour can burn off energy while the rest of the family queues. Our guide to Harry Potter Studio Tokyo with kids has more on timing that day.

Where can kids ride a swan boat?

Shakujii Park, about a 7-minute walk from Shakujii-koen Station, is built around two ponds. On Shakujii Pond you can rent rowboats and swan-shaped pedal boats, usually from March to November. Sanpoji Pond is quieter, with ducks and herons to spot. The park has playground areas and plenty of space for a picnic. From Ekoda it is a direct ride of roughly 15 minutes on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, no change needed.

In late November the trees around the ponds change color, as we describe in our guide to autumn leaves in Tokyo near Nerima.

Which parks are closest to Ekoda?

• Egota no Mori Park: Nakano Ward's largest park, 6 minutes on foot from Shin-Egota Station or a short bus ride from Ekoda. It has wooden play equipment, a sandbox, swings, a biotope pond and an accessible toilet. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Johoku Chuo Park: a large park along the Shakujii River north of Ekoda, with a playground, sports fields and lots of trees. Good for a weekday morning when it is quiet.

Most neighborhoods around our homes also have small pocket parks with swings and a slide. They are not destinations, but they are perfect for 30 minutes before dinner.

What should parents know about Tokyo parks?

• Toilets: larger parks have public toilets, often including a multipurpose toilet with a changing table. Bring your own tissues and hand sanitizer.
• Trash: many parks have no trash cans. Bring a bag and take your garbage home to sort.
• Food: picnics are normal. Pick up onigiri and drinks at a supermarket or convenience store on the way.
• Ball games and bikes: rules differ by park and by area within a park. Look for signs before kicking a ball.
• Summer: July and August are hot and humid. Go early in the morning and carry water.

Where should a family stay to use these parks?

A house near Nerima or Ekoda puts all of these within about 20 minutes, plus a kitchen and a washing machine for muddy clothes. Our nightly houses can provide a baby bed and stroller if you ask before check-in.

• Nana House Nerima: 2 bedrooms near Nerima Station for up to 6 guests, one stop from Toshimaen. From ¥12,000 a night (about US$80) for two, plus ¥4,000 (about US$27) per extra guest and an ¥8,000 (about US$53) cleaning fee.
• Nana House Ekoda: 3 bedrooms, 8 minutes from Ekoda Station, for up to 8 guests. From ¥14,000 a night (about US$93) for two, plus extra guests and cleaning.

For more on choosing a place, read our guide to choosing a family apartment in Tokyo and our Ekoda and Nerima stay guide.

FAQ

Are parks in Tokyo free?

Most public parks are, including all the parks on this list. Some large gardens, such as Shinjuku Gyoen, charge an entry fee, and activities like boat rental cost extra.

Which park near Nerima is best for toddlers?

Nerima-joshi Park's playground has a soft surface and gentle equipment, and Egota no Mori Park has a sandbox and swings. Kodomo no Mori suits slightly older kids who can handle tools.

Can we combine a park with the Harry Potter studio?

Yes. Nerima-joshi Park is right next to Toshimaen Station and the studio, so it fits before or after your timed entry.

Are the parks open in winter?

Yes. Kodomo no Mori closes from December 29 to January 3, and boats at Shakujii Pond usually stop after November.

Traveling with kids? Check dates for a 3-bedroom family house near Ekoda or the 2-bedroom house one stop from Toshimaen.

Dollar figures use ¥150 = US$1.