Showa Kinen Park
This spacious 1.47-square-kilometer site (about 363 acres) offers many diversions: a water play area; swimming pool; boats; a place to barbecue; a stream; and Kodomo No Mori (Children's Plaza). The largest trampoline in Japan is also here.
Open:9:30-17:00 (March to October), 9:30-16:30 (November to February)
Closed:Mondays
Address:3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo. A 15 min. walk from Tachikawa Station on the JR Chuo Line or a 13min. walk from Tachikawa Kita Station on the Tamatoshi Monorail Line.
http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/showa/
Shinjuku Gyoen
A metropolitan oasis encompassing both Western-style and Japanese-style gardens. A beautifully maintained, quiet park.
Open:9:00-16:30 (Entrance until 16:00)
Closed:Mondays
Address:11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. A 5 min. walk from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Station on the Subway Marunouchi Line or from Shinjuku 3-chome Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line.
http://www.shinjukugyoen.go.jp/english/english-index.html
Koganei Park
Tokyo's largest publicly operated park, with amenities including a cycling course and a sledding slope. It is also worthwhile to take a stroll around the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, which is located within the park but charges an entrance fee.
Open:9:00-16:30 (Entrance until 16:00)
Closed:Mondays
Address:1-13-1, Sekino-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo. Take the bus to Koganei Koen-mae from Musashi Koganei Station on the JR Chuo Line.
http://fmusashi.koganei.com/~fendou/kouen.html(site is Japanese only)
Wakasu Kaihin Park
The whole family can get its fill of fun at this park, which offers a campground, cycling, ocean fishing, and an artificial beach. The park also affords a view of Disneyland.
Open:6:00-21:30 (Entrance until 16:00)
Closed:Open every day
Address:36, Wakasu, Koto-ku, Tokyo. Get off at Shinkiba Station on the Subway Yurakucho Line.
http://www.tptc.or.jp/park/wakasu.htm(site is Japanese only)
Mizumoto Park
A riverside park with a botanical garden, Mizumoto Green Plaza, and facilities where visitors can learn about plants and insects.
Open:Always
Closed:Open every day
Address:3-2, Mizumoto Koen, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo. Take the JR Joban Line or Keisei Line to Kanamachi Station, and take a bus to Mizumoto Koen. It is a 7 min. walk from there.
http://www.katsushika-sangyo.or.jp/
kanko/spots/mizumoto_park.html
(site is Japanese only)
Katsushika City Museum
This museum not only showcases the history of Katsushika Ward but also has the latest astronomical facilities, including a planetarium and a telescope.
Open:9:00-17:00 (Tuesday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays), 9:00-21:00 (Fridays and Saturdays)
Closed:Mondays, second and fourth Tuesdays
Address:3-25-1, Shiratori, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo. An 8 min. walk from Ohanajaya Station on the Keisei Honsen.
http://www.city.katsushika.tokyo.jp/museum/index-e.html
Komatsugawa Sakaigawa Shinsui Park
This park extends for about 4 kilometers along a winding river. Adults and children alike enjoy playing in the water in the summer. Visitors can enjoy cycling and many other outdoor activities.
Open:Always
Closed:Open every day
Address:1, Higashi Komatsugawa, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo. Take the train to Koiwa Station on the JR Sobu Line, and from there take a bus to Keiyo Kosaten.
http://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/
shisetsu/recreation/recreation02.html
(site is Japanese only)
Waterbus
Another enjoyable way to pass the time is to get a look at Tokyo's constantly developing, ever-changing landscape from a boat.
Open: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays
Address: 6-35-11, Nishi Ogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo. A 3 min. walk from Arakawa Yuenchi-mae Station on the Toden Arakawa Line.
http://www.suijobus.co.jp/english/index.html
http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/mizube/(site is Japanese only)