If you can visit Tokyo, take a lunch break at Hibiya Park, which is next to the Imperial Palace. I had a delightful outdoor lunch at a restaurant in the park called Hibiyasaro. The restaurant’s setting was lovely, surrounded by lush green trees in the city’s heart.
I walked from JR Yurakucho Station to Hibiya Park, about a 10-minute walk away. Once I arrived at the park, I entered through the Yurakumon Gate, located across from the Imperial Palace and facing it across the moat.
The stone structure with retro street lights in the photo is the Yurakumon Gate.
Hibiyasaro
After entering the park and walking straight ahead, I noticed an elegant white building on my right. This building, surrounded by green trees, was Hibiyasaro.
Hibiyasaro is a beer restaurant established in 1949. It is located on the right (north) side of Flowerbed 1, as indicated on the right side of the map.
The restaurant was designed to blend in with the trees in the park. I visited on a weekday afternoon and was seated without waiting, although about 90% of the seats were occupied.
After being seated, I requested a beer. The restaurant boasts tables with views of the park’s trees, and I found it quite enjoyable to relax on the outdoor terrace with a beer, surrounded by the beautiful greenery. It was a refreshing experience for both my body and soul.
Bangkok Gapao Rice with Jyoshu Mochi Pork
I ordered the “Serious Bangkok Gapao Rice with Jyoshu Mochi Pork” from the lunch menu.
The “Bangkok Gapao Rice” was presented on a silver plate. The dish had a spicy flavor with a hint of chili pepper, but the seasoning was well-balanced for my taste. Mixing in a half-cooked egg added depth to the flavor and helped to mellow it out.
No. 1 Popular Tokyo 36 Rice with Japanese Chicken
This dish is the “No. 1 Popular Tokyo 36 Rice with Japanese Chicken.”
This dish was Gapao Rice with a refined spicy flavor.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Park is located in central Tokyo, just a 10-minute walk from Ginza. This park has an area of approximately 161,637 square meters (40 acres). Many people enjoy the seasonal flowers and greenery found in the park.
Hibiya Park was Japan’s first Western-style park, opened in 1903. In 2023, the park will celebrate its 120th anniversary. The area around the park used to be a sea called Hibiya Inlet, which was reclaimed with earth and sand by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the urban development of Edo (Tokyo).
After the reclamation of the inlet, this land served as the residence of feudal lords until the end of the Edo period. It was repurposed as an army training camp during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Later, due to the poor quality of the ground, it was developed into a park.
Fountain and Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall
After lunch, we went for a walk in the park. Hibiya Park covers an area of 161,636m² (40 acres). In the center of the park, a large fountain shot water as high as 12 meters.The skyscraper in the background beyond the fountain is Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
At the base of the building was a pond called Shinjiike (heart character pond). The pond was created by preserving a section of the moat from Edo Castle.
Hibiya Moat
As you exit the Yurakumon Gate of Hibiya Park, you’ll find the Imperial Palace’s Hibiya Moat across Harumi-dori Avenue to your left. On the right side of the moat, you’ll come across buildings like the Daiichi Seimei Kan and the Imperial Theater. The trees in the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace, the moat, and the towers all contribute to a peaceful and harmonious scene.
The former Dai-Ichi Seimei Kan once served as the headquarters for the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during Japan’s occupation after World War II. The building was returned to Japan in 1952. Still, the room where General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, held his office was preserved as the MacArthur Memorial Room. It remains in its original state today.
A giant turtle used to swim leisurely in the moat. Thanks to efforts to improve the water quality since around 1965, the water quality has improved, allowing a diverse ecosystem to return to the ditch.
Hibiya Park is situated in the heart of Tokyo, just a short 10-minute walk from Ginza. If you can visit Tokyo, we highly recommend stopping by this park. It is a peaceful and natural oasis amid the city, providing a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle. Please take some time to relax and enjoy all that Hibiya Park has to offer.
