A civic park created to restore nature along the shores of Tokyo Bay
Since its opening in 1989, Kasai Rinkai Park facing Tokyo Bay has been a highly popular large-scale civic park. Divided into 5 zones over its 810,000 sq. meter area, there are plenty of places to see such as the forests and walking paths, the Grass Plaza Zone with Japan’s largest Ferris wheel, the Aquarium Zone which is in the center of the park, the Bird Sanctuary Zone where wild birds can be observed, and the artificial beach with the splendid seaside view. This park was redeveloped with the goal of restoring the natural environment that had been destroyed due to pollution and reclamation along the shores of Tokyo Bay. Right now, flora and fauna that have become rare within the 23 wards of Tokyo live in the forests and ponds of the park. Along with the various insects and sea life, 170 species of birds have been confirmed and the park has also become a stopover for migratory birds.
An aquarium where you can see the world’s first school of maguro tuna
Kasai Rinkai Aqua Park is the most popular aquarium in eastern Japan. In the donut-shaped water tank which has realized the world’s first school of pelagic fish, large Pacific Bluefin tuna and bonito swim dynamically. Also, there is a popular tank where over 100 penguins swim with all their might among other exhibits which have brought high praise for the park’s collection of sea life from all over the world and the ocean near Tokyo Bay.
The artificial beach and natural scenery
The artificial beach is a popular spot to enjoy the scenery of a beach along Tokyo Bay. Divided into two halves, the West Beach has low-tide clam digging in early summer and is filled with families playing in the water during the season with the sunset being beautifully romantic. Also, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Bay Aqualine and Mt. Fuji can be seen in one panoramic view with this unique beach scape in Tokyo being selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Beaches. On the other hand, the East Beach is an environmental conservation zone so entry is prohibited. Protected as a wildlife sanctuary, it is being operated to create a park with the goal of co-existence between Man and nature.