Gallery - Mizumoto Park -水元公園

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Growing up in my hometown, abundant with lots of different types of trees, it wasn't strange to hear mystic and supernatural stories about them passed on by older relatives. Spooky stories about them were always a hit among cousins and childhood friends in my neighborhood. Now that I am in my early 30s and I do not see the usual coconut and cacao trees back in my home country, I marvel at the pine trees, cedar, and cypresses here in Japan. Luckily, I do not hold a grudge against the trees here because I haven't developed pollen allergies yet (crossing my fingers). I grew up with the ocean just a few minutes away from home back in the Philippines. When I moved to Japan, I knew I had to find a way to love the outdoors here. From where I lived back in Tokyo to where I currently reside which is in Chiba, the ocean is not impossible to reach, however, it would take a bit of time to get there. Everything changed when I stumbled upon "Shinrin-yoku" also known as Forest Bathing. I mean, I obviously have been to a forest before because I used to hike a lot. I have seen way too many anime to understand that in Japan, trees are sacred. I am no expert but I do understand that when I walk in the middle of trees, I feel more at ease. Time slows down and the shade is like a warm hug on a cold day. No scary stories about them like the ones I used to hear about from home! And if there's one thing besides the safety that Japan offers that I am always thankful for, it would be the abundance of parks that have mini-forests. I know it's not fancy or anything but if you are like me, you would get it. These public parks are free and most of them are easy to access. One such park is Mizumoto Park -水元公園 in Katsushika Ward. I've only been here twice, once in spring and now in autumn (or early winter?). The first time I went, I didn't have much time to walk around the entire park and I ended up entering a different entrance. However this time around, I ended up taking the bus in front of Kanamachi Station that took me to a different entrance to the park. I must say, this was such a wonderful coincidence. I'm afraid I can't recall which entrance I took but this one led me to the part of the park where 1,500 metasequoia trees are planted. It was truly a majestic experience. I say this still albeit seeing the gigantic sequoia trees in California so that says a lot, right? What I love about it is that picnic tables and chairs are placed in the middle of this forest so you are not only forest-bathing, but you can also enjoy eating snacks in the midst of all these trees! The park also boasts a dog run, a bird sanctuary, and a big pond. I know that they can't beat the beaches and the tropical trees we have at home, but the view and atmosphere of this park are at the top of my list of best places to visit again. The other big parks in Tokyo could never beat how tranquil, wide, and wholesome this park is. You will definitely walk away with awe and a heart that is more at peace and content.