Mitake Park
Japan · Shibuya · Parks & Gardens
Image source: Wikimedia Commons; license credits as shown.
Overview
Mitake Park is a small community park located in Shibuya, Tokyo, at the intersection of Shibuya 1-chome, easily accessible from Shibuya Station. It was previously known for its green space and recreational areas. Currently, the original site is being incorporated into the large-scale redevelopment project 'MITAKE Link Park'. The park itself has been closed and is expected to reappear in a new form after redevelopment.
Getting There
To reach the original site of Mitake Park, you can take the JR Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, or Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Fukutoshin Line to 'Shibuya Station'. From exit B1, it takes about 1 to 4 minutes on foot to reach the area around Shibuya 1-chome 18.
Highlights
Mitake Park was one of the few open green spaces in the Shibuya 1-chome area, providing a brief respite for residents and commuters. Currently, the park area, along with the site of the former Tokyo Children's Hall and surrounding public land, is being integrated into the 'MITAKE Link Park' redevelopment project. In the future, it will be reborn as an 'urban living room' coexisting with offices, residences, children's educational facilities, multipurpose halls, and a newly developed park. For travelers, this is one of the sites to observe the latest urban renewal and public space reconstruction in Shibuya, as well as a case study on how Tokyo promotes redevelopment through public-private partnerships (PPP).
What to See
In the past, Mitake Park featured open grass fields, pathways, and surrounding trees, serving as a small oasis in the bustling area and part of the commuting routes. Since around 2022, the park and its surroundings have been enclosed and entered a large-scale construction phase, where you can see the construction site of the high-rise mixed-use building for 'MITAKE Link Park'. Once completed, the plans include a newly developed green space for Mitake Park, a new multipurpose gym (tentatively named 'Mitake Arena'), children's and cultural education facilities, and publicly accessible plazas, which will become a new landmark urban complex.
Hours & Admission
The existing facilities of Mitake Park are currently closed, and the site is a redevelopment construction area, making it inaccessible to general visitors. The newly developed Mitake Park is expected to remain a free public park, but specific opening times, facilities, and usage rules will be officially announced by Shibuya Ward and the project operators, with detailed information yet to be released.
Address
Around Shibuya 1-chome 18, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Japan (the original site of Mitake Park, now part of the MITAKE Link Park development area).
Travel Tips
Currently, travelers can only observe the construction site and building exterior from the surrounding streets or nearby pathways, making it unsuitable for a typical 'park stroll' itinerary. The planned 'MITAKE Link Park' is expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027, after which the newly developed Mitake Park and public facilities will be more suitable for inclusion in walking tours and urban architecture observation in Shibuya. When visiting to take photos or observe the construction site, it is advisable to avoid construction entrances and heavy vehicle routes, and to pay attention to fences and no-entry signs to ensure safety. If you simply want to enjoy greenery and have a picnic in the Shibuya area, consider temporarily choosing other nearby large parks like Yoyogi Park or Miyashita Park as alternatives.
Nearby Dining
The original site of Mitake Park is very close to Shibuya Station, and the surrounding area is a typical city center commercial district, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains within a few minutes' walk. Although the park itself does not have independent dining facilities, the future mixed-use building of 'MITAKE Link Park' is planned to include multiple floors of commercial and retail spaces, expected to introduce cafes, restaurants, and everyday convenience stores for office workers and visitors. Before the development is completed, travelers are advised to use nearby department stores around Shibuya Station (such as Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya Scramble Square, etc.) or commercial facilities at Miyashita Park as dining spots, while also walking past the Mitake Park development area to observe urban renewal.
FAQ
Q: Can I still enter Mitake Park now? A: Mitake Park is currently closed, as the entire area has been enclosed for the 'MITAKE Link Park' redevelopment site. The park land and the surrounding former Tokyo Children's Hall site are being developed as one unit, and at this stage, visitors can only observe the construction status from the sidewalk, with no access to the original playground equipment or green space. Q: What will Mitake Park look like in the future? A: The future Mitake Park is expected to reappear with newly developed green spaces and plazas as part of the 'MITAKE Link Park' mixed-use development. Official information indicates that the overall development will include offices, rental housing, children's education and cultural facilities, multipurpose halls, and gyms, while also incorporating the redeveloped Mitake Park, creating a space that coexists with greenery and urban functions. Q: How do I get to Mitake Park (original site)? A: The most convenient way to reach the original site of Mitake Park is to take the train to 'Shibuya Station', then walk about 1 to 4 minutes to the area around Shibuya 1-chome 18. You can exit from Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station B1 and proceed towards Shibuya 1-chome along the surface or underground passage to reach the fenced-off MITAKE Link Park construction site and the surrounding area of the former Mitake Park. Q: Is it worth a special trip to Mitake Park for general tourists? A: Before the redevelopment project is completed, the original site of Mitake Park has limited tourist value for general visitors, mainly suitable for travelers interested in observing urban renewal and building development. If travelers want to experience green spaces, picnics, or family outings, it is recommended to prioritize other nearby large parks like Yoyogi Park or Miyashita Park, and consider the original site of Mitake Park as a supplementary site for observing urban regeneration in Shibuya. Q: When will MITAKE Link Park be completed and operational? A: According to development and real estate information, MITAKE Link Park is expected to be completed and operational around 2026 to 2027. After completion, the surrounding public spaces, including the newly developed Mitake Park, will gradually open to the public, with detailed operating hours and facility content to be announced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shibuya Ward, and the operators in the future.