４K Japan Walking Tour: Inokashira Park to Mitaka Tokyo | 2026(68 Min)

This time, I walked from Inokashira 3-chome to Mitaka Station—68 minutes covering Inokashira Park's pond and temple, residential streets, and Mitaka's commercial center. Filmed on a clear afternoon in May 2026. INOKASHIRA PARK & BENZAITEN TEMPLE The walk begins in residential Inokashira, Mitaka City. Mitaka is a residential city west of Tokyo, known for quiet neighborhoods, Inokashira Park, and the Ghibli Museum (though not on this route). Inokashira Benzaiten Omotesando is the approach path to the temple. The forested path descends toward Inokashira Pond—a large pond that is the park's central feature. The pond has spring-fed water historically used as a source for Edo's water supply. Today people come for boating, walking around the pond, and cherry blossom viewing in spring. Inokashira Benzaiten sits on a small island in the pond connected by bridge. The temple is dedicated to Benzaiten, a deity associated with water, music, and arts. The temple's location on the pond reflects this water connection—Benzaiten temples often sit near water sources. The temple grounds are small but atmospheric—traditional architecture, stone lanterns, the pond water surrounding the island. People visit for temple worship, photography, and walking through the park. KICHIJOJI-DORI & INOKASHIRA PARK ZOO After leaving the pond area, the walk ascends to Kichijoji-dori, a major road. The route passes Inokashira Park Zoo (officially Tokyo Metropolitan Inokashira Park Cultural Zoo). The small zoo has native Japanese animals, birds, and a small aquatic section. It's less extensive than Ueno Zoo but serves as a family destination within the park. HATCHO-DORI & INOKASHIRA-DORI The walk turns onto Hatcho-dori, then joins Inokashira-dori. These are main roads carrying traffic through western Tokyo. The character transitions from the park's greenery to urban roads with car traffic, shops, and apartments. TAMAGAWA JOSUI & MITAKA-BASHI BRIDGE The route crosses Mitaka-bashi Bridge over Tamagawa Josui. The Tamagawa Josui is a historic canal built in 1653 to supply drinking water to Edo (Tokyo). The canal carried water from the Tama River to central Edo—a major infrastructure project for the growing city. Today the canal still exists as a waterway with walking paths along both banks. The paths are lined with cherry trees—popular for cherry blossom viewing in spring. Locals use the paths for walking, jogging, and cycling. Crossing the bridge means entering Mitaka's central area from the Inokashira side. MITAKA CHUO-DORI SHOPPING STREET Mitaka Chuo-dori Shopping Street extends from near the station. The covered shopping arcade has local shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies—the typical mix serving residential populations. The street provides daily shopping infrastructure for Mitaka residents. MITAKA STATION Mitaka Station serves the JR Chuo Line, providing rapid access to Shinjuku and Tokyo. The station area has developed as Mitaka's commercial center with shops and services, but the city overall maintains residential character—people live in Mitaka and commute to central Tokyo for work. WHY WALK INOKASHIRA TO MITAKA This route combines Inokashira Park's natural areas (pond, temple, zoo) with walking through residential streets to Mitaka's commercial center. You see the park that makes this area desirable, cross the historic Tamagawa Josui canal, and reach the station serving commuters. 🕒 TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 — Inokashira, Mitaka City(Start of Walking Tour) 00:10:55 — Inokashira Benzaiten Omotesando 00:17:14 — Inokashira Benzaiten temple 00:24:51 — Kichijoji-dori 00:31:35 — Inokashira Park Zoo area 00:33:48 — Hatcho-dori 00:41:00 — Inokashira-dori 00:50:36 — Hiranumaen-mae Intersection 01:00:47 — Mitaka-bashi Bridge (Tamagawa Josui) 01:04:39 — Mitaka Chuo-dori Shopping Street 01:08:00 — Mitaka Station 🔔 Subscribe for more Tokyo walking tours 👍 Like if Inokashira Park's pond and Tamagawa Josui canal showed you western Tokyo #japan #walkingtour #tokyowalking #citywalk #japantravel #mitaka