The site was once part of a private estate for the Matsudaira clan during the Edo period.
It served as a military powder magazine site during the Meiji era, which helped prevent its development.
The park is home to a 500-year-old 'Great Pine' tree, a remnant of the original forest cover.
It remains one of the few places in central Tokyo where you can observe wild tanuki (raccoon dogs).
The grounds include a dedicated experimental field used by researchers for ecological studies.
During the Shōwa era, the site was briefly used as a royal property before being opened to the public.
The Institute for Nature Study is a protected nature reserve in Tokyo preserving a segment of the original Musashino forest landscape. It functions as a research facility under the National Museum of Nature and Science, focusing on the ecology of the Kanto Plain. The grounds feature a diverse mix of wetlands, secondary forests, and grasslands, which are managed to maintain biodiversity. Visitors walk along elevated boardwalks that traverse marshlands and ponds to minimize human impact on the ecosystem. Historical remnants, including stone walls from the Edo period and remnants of the 17th-century Matsudaira estate, are scattered throughout the site. The area serves as a significant stopover point for migratory birds within the dense urban center of Tokyo. Educational displays at the entrance provide information on current seasonal flora and fauna sightings.
The elevated boardwalk overlooking the Hyotan-ike pond during the morning light.
Follow the established wooden paths strictly to protect the delicate soil and plant roots.
Bring insect repellent during the summer months, as the marshland environment attracts mosquitoes.
Check the 'Nature News' board at the entrance for daily wildlife updates from park rangers.
Do not venture off the marked boardwalks, as the ground is protected for research purposes.
Closed on Mondays and during the year-end holidays.
Strictly no-smoking, no collecting of plants or insects, and keep voices low to observe wildlife.
