Birdwatching in Tokyo: 10 Best Spots for Travelers

Tokyo is one of the world’s most underrated birdwatching destinations.
No rental car, no long hikes — just trains, simple walks, and exciting wildlife.

These 10 easy-access spots are perfect for travelers who want nature and city sightseeing together.

Central Tokyo Area

1) Ueno Park – Easy Urban Birding

A large park with ponds and wooded paths, ideal for beginners.
Shinobazu Pond is best for winter ducks and occasional kingfishers.
Early morning offers calm views and fewer visitors.

Birds you may see

• Spot-billed Duck
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow
• Brown-eared Bulbul
• Common Kingfisher (sometimes)

Best season: All year
Access: JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) – 2–5 min walk

2) Imperial Palace – History + Waterbirds

Birds gather along the moats around the historic palace.
Winter brings ducks and wagtails close to bridges.
Wide sidewalks make it easy to explore.

Birds you may see

• White Wagtail
• Azure-winged Magpie
• Tufted Duck (winter)
• Great Cormorant

Best season: Winter
Access: Tokyo Station (Marunouchi side) – 10–15 min walk

3) Meiji Jingu – Forest Next to Harajuku

A surprisingly deep forest beside a trendy district.
Listen for woodpeckers and tits along quiet paths.
Shaded and comfortable even in summer.

Birds you may see

• Japanese Tit
• Varied Tit
• Japanese White-eye
• Great Spotted Woodpecker

Best season: Spring–early summer
Access: JR Harajuku Station – 1–3 min walk

Western Tokyo Area

4) Inokashira Park – Ducks and Songbirds

A calm pond and surrounding woodland make sightings easy.
Good birding near the boat area and quiet walking paths.
Perfect for short visits with cafés nearby.

Birds you may see

• Mandarin Duck
• Spot-billed Duck
• Common Kingfisher
• Brown-eared Bulbul

Best season: Winter–spring
Access: JR Kichijoji Station – 5–10 min walk

5) Tama River – Raptors and Waders

An open riverside with clear views of flying birds.
Herons and Black Kites are common.
Windy days can reduce activity.

Birds you may see

• Grey Heron
• Great Egret
• Black Kite
• Common Sandpiper
• Japanese Wagtail

Best season: All year
Access: Keio Tamagawa Station or Futako-Tamagawa Station – 5–10 min walk

6) Mount Takao – Songbirds with a View

A famous mountain rich in biodiversity close to central Tokyo.
Spring is excellent for flycatchers and woodpeckers.
Shorter trails available for casual birders.

Birds you may see

• Blue-and-white Flycatcher (spring–summer)
• Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
• Varied Tit
• Eurasian Jay
• Japanese Bush Warbler

Best season: April–July
Access: Keio Takaosanguchi Station – trailheads nearby

Tokyo Bay Area

7) Odaiba Seaside Park – Simple Bay Birding

Urban seascape views with gulls and cormorants nearby.
Short walks fit sightseeing schedules.
Winter is the best season for variety.

Birds you may see

• Black-tailed Gull
• Vega Gull
• Great Cormorant
• Eurasian Wigeon (winter)

Best season: Winter
Access: Yurikamome Daiba Station – 1–3 min walk

8) Kasai Rinkai Park – Tokyo’s Top Birding Spot

Large wetlands and sea attract the highest species variety in Tokyo.
Bird hides are excellent for photography.
Expect many ducks and shorebirds in colder months.

Birds you may see

• Little Tern (summer)
• Common Sandpiper (migration)
• Northern Shoveler (winter)
• Black-headed Gull
• Grey Heron

Best season: Winter and migration seasons
Access: JR Kasai Rinkai Koen Station – 1 min walk

9) Yumenoshima Park – Urban Forest Birds

Green park offering quick birding near the bay area.
A good chance to find small songbirds in winter.

Birds you may see

• Japanese White-eye
• Daurian Redstart (winter)
• Brown-eared Bulbul
• White Wagtail

Best season: Autumn–winter
Access: JR Shinkiba Station – 10–15 min walk

10) Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park – Wetlands for Photographers

Well-managed wetlands with observation hides.
Shorebirds peak during spring and autumn migrations.
Watch the sky for Ospreys hunting over the ponds.

Birds you may see

• Osprey
• Grey Heron
• Great Egret
• Spot-billed Duck
• Black-headed Gull (winter)

Best season: Spring and autumn
Access: Tokyo Monorail Ryutsu Center Station – 10–15 min walk

Best Time to Visit Tokyo for Birdwatching

Winter (Dec–Feb): Best variety and easiest sightings.
Spring (Apr–May): Active songbirds and woodpeckers.
Autumn (Sep–Oct): Comfortable weather and more migrants.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Go early or visit Mount Takao.

Birdwatching Etiquette in Japan

• Do not feed wildlife
• Stay on paths and respect signs
• Keep voices low, especially in forests
• Avoid flash toward birds
• Give nests distance
• Do not bait or chase birds
• Be considerate of other visitors

When in doubt, keep distance and use binoculars.

Author’s Impression

It is amazing how much wildlife you can find in the heart of Tokyo.
Even during a busy trip, a short walk in a park can connect you with nature.
If you have more time, visit Mount Takao to experience Japan’s beautiful forests and wild birds.
Urban Tokyo has more nature than you might expect.