Tokyo's best skate parks

Perfect your kickflips and board slides at Tokyo's best skate spots

Friday 28 October 2016

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp

Advertising

When it was announced that skateboarding will be part of the Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020, the decision threw some skaters off balance. Isn’t the idea of competition at loggerheads with the expressive ethos of the sport? While the debate rages on, we highlight the city’s vibrant skate culture for those who hope to boost their skills ahead of the Games. Behold, Tokyo’s best skating joints.

Tokyo's best skate parks

Miyashita Skate Park

Sport and fitness
Shibuya

Long one of the most neglected corners of Shibuya, Miyashita Park had become a magnet for the homeless before it was controversially redeveloped by Nike, with new facilities including a skate park. The overhauled Miyashita (plans to rename it ‘Nike Park’ were ultimately dropped) has certainly won over the city’s skaters...

Sport and fitness
Itabashi

Photo: Trinity B3 Park & Shop

One of Tokyo’s largest indoor parks, Trinity has a great repertoire of ramps including a mini half pipe, stairs and a fun box, alongside simpler ramps for the beginners out there. As the name suggests, Trinity has an on-site pro shop that’s reason enough to visit, selling decks, wheels, truck parts and apparel...

Advertising

HLNA Skygarden

Sport and fitness
Odaiba

Located on the roof of the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza mall in Odaiba, HLNA Skygarden is by far the most scenic skate park in the city, commanding breathtaking views of Tokyo Bay. The park is well equipped with a variety of obstacles including quarter pipes, manny pads, a decent-sized mini half pipe and several stair sets with handrails...

Sport and fitness
Hachioji

This outdoor park in Hachioji is one of Japan’s largest and ostensibly gets its name from its moon-like surface, a concrete expanse dotted with wave ramps, rails, stairs, bowls, quarter pipes and an over-vert. Bear in mind that this concave beast requires considerable skill to navigate its craters and doesn't skate like a smooth snake run...

Advertising

Murasaki Park Tokyo

Sport and fitness
Horikiri

Photo: Murasaki Park Tokyo

Murasaki Sports Park, affectionately (and aptly) nicknamed Amazing Square, could well be Japan’s premier skate park. In addition to boasting an impressive repertoire of street and transition obstacles spread out over a large outdoor area, the park contains a huge four-metre vert ramp...

Sport and fitness
Ota

If you get enough air off the half pipe at Jonajima Skatepark in Ota, you might be able to catch a good view of Tokyo Bay – though be careful not to fall while you take in the seascape. In addition to its picturesque seaside location, the skatepark boasts a large outdoor space, complete with bank to banks, spines, quarter pipes, grind boxes and rails...

Advertising

Komazawa Skate Park

Sport and fitness
Komazawa-Daigaku

Located inside the Olympic Park constructed for the 1964 Games, Komazawa Skate Park is a laidback meeting spot for Tokyo’s skaters. The park has easy-going banks where youngsters and beginners hang out as well as launch boxes, quarter-pipe hips and a row of mini half pipes where seasoned skaters take turns to show off their tricks...

Sport and fitness
Tama area

This skate park in Nishi-Tokyo’s Ikoi no Mori has all the usual suspects: quarter pipes, a fun box, a mini half pipe, grind boxes, rails and banks. The obstacles are in good shape and entrance is free, but be sure register at the management office if it’s your first time...

Advertising

Setagaya Skate Park

Sport and fitness
Mishuku

Photo: Setagaya Skate Park

Known to locals as SL Park, Setagaya Skate Park is divided into two areas, with one area composed of a narrow runway with a roll-in on one end, a basic funbox in the middle, and a quarter pipe on the rear end. The other area is more spacious and features a flatrail, a manny pad and plenty of curb to grind on...

Sport and fitness
Musashino

This cool local park is equipped with a variety of concrete obstacles, including a fun box, rails, spines and bank to banks. Wearing a helmet is mandatory and can be borrowed from the premises. The park is free with registration required for first-time visitors...