Umekoji Park - Kyoto

September 12, 2018

Located in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, in Kyoto Prefecture, Umekoji Park is a large park in the heart of Japan's historic city.

Umekoji Park

Umekoji Park History

Opened in 1995, Umekoji Park provides locals and tourists with a place to relax and explore for free. Well, unless they would buy from the nearby stores and Vendo machines or go inside the museum or aquarium inside the park.

Things to see in Umekoji Park

One of the trolleys on display in the park

Kyoto Aquarium

Checking out some souvenirs at Kyoto Aquarium

The path going to Inochi-no-Mori (Living Forest)

You read that right, there is a museum and an aquarium in Umekoji Park...These are the Kyoto Railway Museum, located at the southwestern end of the park, and the Kyoto Aquarium on the northeastern end of the park. I would love to tell you more about these places but I'd probably reserve it in a different article.

Ella with one of the "monuments" in Umekoji Park

Umekoji Park open field and the stage

Umekoji Park has a large lawn perfect for kite flying

Now going back to Umekoji Park, nature lovers would surely enjoy viewing the seasonal flower blooms here. Children, on the other hand, can use up their energy by running around the wide field or by playing in the park's playground. You'd usually see the locals here having their picnic, walking their dog, jogging, and even doing tai chi. On some occasions, students visit the park for their field trips or outbound educational trips to discover new things in the natural, outside the classroom, kind of way.

Map of Umekoji Park

Shiden shop (souvenir shop)

Suzaku Yume Hiroba (playground)

Umekoji Park Central Square

Midori-no-Yakata (restaurant)

Kyoto Railway Museum

One of the trams on display in Umekoji Park

Although seldom included in most itineraries, Umekoji Park is one of those parks that would be worthy of your time. I highly suggest you spend part of your itinerary exploring the natural beauty of this park. Seriously, guys, you should check out the trains displayed here and also the fishes in the Kyoto Aquarium.

Check out the Monuments Street Map

My family and I got to visit Umekoji Park on the 5th day of our 2018 Japan trip. We went there to meet my wife's longtime friend who is now residing in Kyoto City. While waiting, my daughter and I enjoyed hunting for the small monuments scattered around the park that was part of the Kyoto-Umekoji Minnaga Tsunagaru Project. Aside from this we also enjoyed the fresh air and the cool breeze in the park.

Overall, I would surely come back to this park someday not only because I enjoyed the ambiance of the park but also because I failed to explore Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Railway Museum during our visit.

Umekoji Park Admission Fee:

Umekoji Park is FREE to explore. However, the Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Railway Museum charge admission fees.

Umekoji Park Opening Hours:

Umekoji Park is open 24/7.

Why visit Umekoji Park?

Umekoji Park is not your typical park. Inside its vicinity is Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Railway Museum. Visiting it means you already have access to two possible destinations. If you are on a tight budget, you can spend time hunting for the Kyoto Umekoji Monuments.

Ella hunting for the monuments

Getting to Umekoji Park:

Umekoji Park is 15-20 minutes away from Kyoto Station by foot. However, if you prefer to ride a bus, Kyoto City Bus #33, #205, and #208 will bring you to the park's northern entrance via the Umekoji Koen Mae Bus stop.

Bus Fare: 230 yen