オフィシャル
Nightscape of Harumi-futo Park
As we step into February, a month has already passed since the arrival of 2025. The cold days continue, making it clear that winter is still in full swing. However, with plum blossoms set to bloom soon and cherry blossoms likely to follow by late March, spring is just around the corner. Compared to the winter solstice, daylight hours have gradually lengthened, and the season of beautiful nightscapes will soon come to an end.
Over the past three months, I have introduced the nightscapes of Nihonbashi, Kyobashi, and Ginza. This time, I would like to take a different approach and showcase the night views of Harumi-futo Park and the nightscape as seen from the park.
About the Harumi Area
The Harumi area was created by reclaiming land at the mouth of the Sumida River from the late Meiji (1868-1912) to early Showa (1926-1989) period. Geographically, it is the southernmost part of Chuo Ward. Many people may remember it as the former site of the International Exhibition Center, once bustling with events like the Tokyo Motor Show. Harumi was also home to the iconic Harumi Passenger Terminal, but being at the very southern tip of Chuo Ward, it was not a place many visited unless they had a specific reason to go. In fact, the former exhibition center site was used as a training ground for the Metropolitan Police Department’s motorcycle unit for some time. The area also featured a rare baseball ground within Chuo Ward, giving it a very different atmosphere compared to Nihonbashi or Ginza.
About Harumi-futo Park
Harumi-futo Park is located at the very tip of Harumi Wharf. Opened in 1975, it has a long history. Until recently, the area surrounding the park consisted of little more than the passenger terminal, baseball fields, and a waste incineration plant. As a result, the park itself was just that—a simple park with few visitors. However, that simplicity made it a great spot for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and experiencing a sense of tranquility. Though my memory may be a little hazy, I recall that the park was often used as a filming location for NHK’s children’s program "Otosan-to-Issho (With Dad) ", which suggests it had a relaxed atmosphere quite unlike central Tokyo.
The sky viewed from Harumi-futo Park is vast.
Sunset View from Harumi-futo Park
Rainbow Bridge as Seen from Harumi-futo Park
Tokyo Tower Viewed from Harumi-futo Park. The tall building in the background is Azabudai Hills.
The Present-Day Harumi-futo Park and Its Surroundings
When Tokyo was chosen as the host city for the 2020 Olympics, the athletes' village was constructed in Harumi. After the Games, the area was reborn as a new neighborhood called HARUMI FLAG. The former motorcycle training ground and baseball field have since been replaced by towering residential buildings. Harumi-futo Park has also undergone redevelopment, now featuring a large multi-purpose lawn, a ship-shaped playground, and even a café.
Harumi’s New Neighborhood: HARUMI FLAG
A Café Located Inside the Park. Open until 6 PM (5 PM from Jan.4 to Mar. 19).
A place that once attracted few visitors has now become a popular spot where local residents gather. On weekends, the park is filled with the cheerful voices of children playing and parents watching over them. One of the most striking new additions to the park is a large monument spelling out "TOKYO," which has become a new landmark in the city. While the view of Rainbow Bridge from Harumi-futo Park remains as breathtaking as ever, the nightscape seen through the "TOKYO" monument offers a fresh and captivating perspective.
Tokyo's New Landmark: The 'TOKYO' Monument
The Other Side of 'TOKYO' is also 'TOKYO'.
Access to Harumi-futo Park
2-minute walk from Harumi Futo bus stop on Toei Bus
25-minute walk from Kachidoki Station on Toei Oedo Subway Line
For additional details, visit: Marine Park Navi