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Shinjuku Chuo Park

An 8.8-hectare former waterworks site turned park, with waterfall plazas, lawn and wooded terraces that give the tower district different places to pause.

Visit fitFor slowing the pace between the observatory and museum, with time to pause by the waterfall plaza or under the trees.

Opened in 1968 with the sub-centre redevelopment, its 8.8 ha make it the largest park Shinjuku City runs. The artificial “Shinjuku Niagara Falls” and the 2020 lawn and SHUKNOVA pavilion layer new uses over an old grove.

Good to know

From the plaza by the falls, watch how the towers ring the park — and match it to the green outline you saw from the observatory.

The Shinjuku Chuo Park sign in front of its artificial waterfall
Shinjuku Chuo Park’s “Niagara Falls” and park sign
Image infoMikhail Kotykhov · 2024-12-12 · CC0-1.0 · resized and cropped

Space left beside the towers

Chuo Park opened in 1968 as part of the Shinjuku subcentre project on land formerly used by Yodobashi Water Purification Plant. At about 88,000 m² it is the ward’s largest municipal park. Arriving from the government building puts the redevelopment’s two scales together: tall offices and a large space at ground level. Pick a named destination such as SHUKNOVA, the waterfalls or the wooded viewing terrace before navigating the roads and level changes around the park.

WHERE · On foot from here

How far from the station, and which side

South-west of Tochomae Station, about 250 m in a straight line from the station point. The shaded areas are about 5 and 10 minutes on foot from here.

1Shinjuku Chuo Park新宿中央公園Tochomae都庁前駅Nishi-shinjuku-gochome西新宿五丁目駅TMG Observatories~5 minKoen-dori St.100 mN1Shinjuku Chuo Park新宿中央公園Tochomae都庁前駅TMG Observatories~5 min250 mN
This placeAbout 5 · 10 min on foot from here (computed, approximate)Read together

Walking bands are computed by FOW on the OpenStreetMap surface street network at 80 m/min and drawn as a smoothed approximate area around the streets reached. They ignore exit positions, station interiors, underground passages, signals, slopes and routes inside buildings — not directions; follow on-site signs.

Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Walking bands: computed by FOW · Station and gate notes: official guidance (2026-10-16)

Choose the kind of pause

The north area offers several distinct settings. Fun More Time Plaza faces Shinjuku Niagara and accommodates events; the Shiraito waterfall has the government building behind it. The lawn was renewed in 2020, while the separately marked display lawn is not for unrestricted entry. Choose Chobo no Mori for a wooded setting with views of the towers; its usual 06:00–22:00 hours differ from the park’s round-the-clock opening. SHUKNOVA combines cafés, a restaurant and sports facilities with terrace seats open to anyone. For a short walk, allow 20–30 minutes around the waterfalls and lawn as a planning estimate, adding meals or exercise separately.

Separate the park from its facilities

An ordinary park walk needs no admission ticket. Waterfalls may stop for weather, energy or water conservation, and terraces and sports facilities have their own rules. With a stroller or companion, locate the toilets and rest areas you need on the park map before entering.

Read it with

The twin towers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building under a blue sky
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building ObservatoriesSee it from above first.
Shinjuku Park Tower with its three pointed crowns
Park Hyatt TokyoOptional paid lounge afterwards.
Lawn and path in Shinjuku Gyoen with high-rises beyond
Shinjuku Gyoen National GardenConsider the park separately when the paid garden’s schedule and rules do not fit.
Cocoon Tower wrapped in its white diagonal lattice
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower“THE VERTICAL WEST” · Street · exterior

Before you go

Hours and fees
The park is open 24 hours with no regular closed day. The office keeps 09:00–17:00; facilities inside keep their own hours.
Good to know
Waterfalls may stop for weather, energy or water conservation. Terraces and sports facilities keep their own hours and rules.
Access
The facility guide marks ramps and multipurpose toilets. Use the park map to choose the facilities and access route you need.
Official information ↗
See this item in the Atlas ↗Read in the Mapbook ↗
Sources · image info
  1. 公園についてShinjuku Chuo Park designated manager · as of 2026-09-29
  2. AccessShinjuku Chuo Park designated manager · as of 2026-09-29
  3. 新宿中央公園Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Social Welfare · as of 2026-09-29
  4. Shinjuku Chuo ParkTokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau · as of 2026-09-29
  5. Shinjuku Chuo Park — north-area facilitiesShinjuku Chuo Park operator · as of 2026-10-19
  6. Citizens’ Plaza: An Evolving Oasis Among SkyscrapersTokyo Metropolitan Government · as of 2026-09-29