Tokyo Leisurely Stroll | Hibiya Park: A Green Oasis for Quiet Breathing Amidst the Bustling City

Address: 1 Hibiya Park, Chiyoda City, Tokyo Having passed by the Hibiya area several times, I always felt a European vibe here. One afternoon, feeling a bit tired and looking for a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, I wandered into this historically rich park—Hibiya Park. This park is one of Japan's earliest Western-style parks, boasting over a century of history. Inside, you can still find charming old-fashioned Western-style lampposts and antique washbasins, instantly transporting you back to the Meiji era. Interestingly, the name "Hibiya" dates back to the Edo period when this area was still a bay. Later, Tokugawa Ieyasu came to Tokyo to develop the region, transforming it into a noble district and reclaiming land to create a place called "Outer Sakurada." Today, the park still houses a large hat-shaped stone, a silent witness to the area's historical evolution. What touched me the most was learning that this park miraculously survived the Tokyo air raids during World War II, possibly due to its proximity to the Imperial Palace. Century-old trees provide a lush canopy, and during flower seasons, tulips and cherry blossoms bloom in turn, making even the act of breathing feel gentle.