Shimizudani Park

In Tokyo, Zen often hides where you least expect it - in the shadows of office towers and luxury hotels. Shimizudani Park (often referred to as Shimizu Valley) is a portal to the past, preserved at the crossroads of Minato and Chiyoda.
The name comes from the pure water springs (Shimizu) that once flowed here. Today, it remains a serene green escape in the heart of the busy city, situated near the Hotel New Otani and Hie Shrine.

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The Urban Zen Experience: Standing by the pond, you can watch the sunlight pierce through the canopy, sparkling on the water’s surface. It is the perfect spot to slow down after a long day at the office. Take a deep breath while watching the graceful carps and still turtles. Feel the contrast between the roar of the city at Akasaka-mitsuke and the sudden, almost tangible silence of the valley.
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💡 Interesting to Know: During the Edo period, this valley served as a border between the ancestral estates of the powerful Kii and Ii clans.
In the center of the park stands the massive Okubo Toshimichi Memorial. On May 14, 1878, this site was the scene of the "Kioizaka Incident," where Lord Okubo Toshimichi - the "Iron Chancellor" and a founding father of modern Japan - was assassinated on his way to the palace. This event marked a turning point in history, signaling the end of the early Meiji Restoration and the definitive birth of the modern nation we live in today.
Move. Connect. Belong. Find your Zen in Tokyo.

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