Even in Tokyo there is such a place: a park with large open spaces, where a whole family can enjoy picnics, barbecues, camping, flowers and beautiful trees, catch fish and watch birds. Look no further than Mizumoto Park.
Located in Katsushika Ward, with an area of 68.2 hectares, Mizumoto Park was designated in 1975 as the Edogawa Waterway Metropolitan Natural Park. Though many of Tokyo's parks involve water, this one is, frankly, a wetland. The Edo River flows approximately 1 km east of the park; to the north flows the Obagawa, a short tributary of the Nakagawa, which itself flows 2 km to the west. The park was first opened to the public April 1, 1965, but like many parks in Tokyo has its interesting historical aspect.
Over 270 years ago, Koaidame pond was dug, by hand, to serve two functions: to control flooding caused by the old Tone River, and to serve as a reservoir for the town of Ka-tsushika and Edo city.