Inokashira Park (井の頭公園) was the first park founded by an emperor open to the public. Its particularity is its elongated lake around which the park is shaped. The lake is divided by a bridge and pleasure boats are available for dating couples or families that flock at weekends.
The park has a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the Goddess of property, good-looks, entertainment and love. However, this one must be a vicious one as it is said that couples courting in the park will split soon afterwards (and, as far I am concerned, I can testify that these hearsays are correct).
The award-winning novelist Osamu Dazai mysteriously commited suicide here with his lover in 1948.
Some numbers about 井の頭公園:
- Opening date: 1 May 1918
- Land area: 383,773 m2
- Number of trees: Tall trees : 11,060 / Shrubs : 12,800 / Lawn : 10,000 m2
- Variety of plants: Cherry trees, cypresses, red pines, azaleas
