Chidorigafuchi Park

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The moat takes its name from the 'plover' (chidori) shape, which resembles the bird when viewed from above.

2. 2

   The park borders the site of the former outer defensive walls of Edo Castle.

3. 3

   During the spring peak, the water in the moat is often completely hidden from view by falling cherry blossom petals.

4. 4

   The park provides direct pedestrian access to the Kitanomaru Park area via the bridge near Tayasu-mon.

5. 5

   It is one of the few places in central Tokyo where rowboats can be rented to navigate a historic castle moat.

Overview

Chidorigafuchi Park is a narrow, linear green space stretching along the northwestern moat of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda City. It is renowned for its dense collection of over 200 cherry trees, primarily Yoshino and Oshima varieties, which create a floral tunnel during peak bloom. The park follows the historic water-filled defensive perimeter originally constructed for Edo Castle. Visitors walk along a paved path separated from the palace grounds by the deep, stone-walled moat. The site is a primary location for the Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival. It offers views of the Tayasu-mon Gate and the Budokan from the water's edge. The park transitions from a vibrant pink corridor in spring to a quiet, shaded walking route during the summer. It serves as an accessible urban refuge between the commercial districts of Kudan-shita and Hanzomon.

Insider tips

• Walk the full length of the moat path to see both the urban skyline and the historic stone walls of the palace.

• Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the extreme congestion caused by local school groups and tourists during peak blooming weeks.

• Bring a portable battery pack if you intend to photograph the evening illuminations, as cold spring nights drain phone batteries quickly.