Tokyo Toritsu Oyamadairi Park

Only 5 minutes' walk from Tamasakai Station is the huge Tokyo Toritsu Oyamadairi Park. When you enter the park area, it almost feels like being in a forest. Lots of trees and animal life create this feeling and provide a typical smell of woods - along with the opportunity to take a chilly walk in the shade if you happen to come here during the heat of the midday in early autumn.

Once you've made it to the upper level of the park, you will find a perfect route for cycling and running. You can even choose between a concrete lane or a softer, forest soil lane. And for sure you will encounter one or more of the different running groups doing their workouts.

There are many spots where you can stop and view the surrounding city of Sagamihara from above. Lots of benches and picnic areas invite you to take a rest or enjoy your lunch outside!

In the northern part of the park are two lakes. One of them creates a special atmosphere with its many dead trees that stick out the water like skewers. Carp and turtles gently swim through the water, giving you the chance to take a nice picture and capture the circular movements on the water's surface.

In between the two lakes you can find a small café and a park information center as well as a playground for children. The park opened in 2004 and is one of the newest parks in greater Tokyo.

Along the paths there are a lot of information boards, giving you an overview of the different kinds of flora and fauna in the area, though the information is in Japanese only. Nevertheless, pictures illustrate which animals you could encounter here, including dragonflies, frogs, herons, and even rare big hawks that live in the area.

You can easily spend an hour or more walking through Tokyo Toritsu Oyamadairi Park. And even if you're not here for running or cycling, you will feel your feet and calves in the evening as the park provides a nice hike through beautiful nature.

The closest station is Tamasakai (on the Keio-Sagamihara Line); or you can take a 15-20 minute walk from Hashimoto Station (on the JR Yokohama Line).