Hello, fellow travel lovers!
his time, I’m taking you to Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park in Saitama!✈️🌸
I visited at the end of March 2025.
They call it “Japan’s gateway to the skies” — and wow, it’s got planes everywhere!
Plus, it’s a surprisingly great spot for cherry blossom viewing too.
Cherry Blossom Watch 🌸
So, about those cherry blossoms — some trees were blooming nicely, while others were still snoozing in bud mode. It was all over the place!
It wasn’t quite full bloom, but spotting those first few blossoms gave me that gentle “spring is here” feeling. It really warmed my heart. 🌸
🌸Hanami Highlight: The park is home to about 500 cherry trees! When they’re in full bloom, you can expect a dreamy sakura tunnel. This time, I caught a quick peek at the early bloomers showing off ahead of schedule.
So, what’s Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park like?
Just a short walk from Tokorozawa Station, this park is huge—like, 11 Tokyo Domes huge! (Not that I can really picture what 11 Tokyo Domes looks like... but trust me, it’s massive!)
🛫Massive and Mighty! C-46 Transport Plane on Display
And here comes the park’s biggest highlight — a giant airplane just sitting there, boom! Right in front of you!
The C-46 transport plane is on full display — life-sized! I was totally blown away by its sheer size and power.
Take a relaxing stroll, learn something new, and let your soul unwind...
📍時計塔までの見晴らしのいい歩道
The long, straight path felt just like a runway — I almost wanted to take off! Walking with the breeze in my face? Absolute bliss.
🏛️航空発祥記念館
“So this is what it means to fly…” I found myself nodding in oddly deep agreement as I looked at the exhibits.
They had a video breaking down how birds and bugs manage to fly — super cool stuff that had both kids and adults glued to the screen.
One of my personal favorites? A little station where you could calculate how many balloons it would take to lift you off the ground. Yep — that’s right, it basically reveals your weight. 😅 The number was strangely accurate, which made me do a double take... but hey, hands-on exhibits like that are super fun!
👟The running path is easy on the knees, making it perfect for walking too. A thoughtful touch us grown-ups can seriously appreciate, right? 😄
🪷The Japanese garden is a peaceful little hideaway — perfect for a quiet moment of Zen.
Time for a little break... 🍦
Lots of walking means one thing... soft serve time! 🍦
It may have been March, but the weather was surprisingly warm — that cold soft serve hit the spot! 🍦
春休み中の小学生たちも元気に走り回っていて、見てるだけでパワーもらえる感じ！
Monuments with a Cool, Classic Vibe
👨✈️The Statue of GENERAL J.P. FAURE （Colonel）
He watches over the park with the aura of a “father of the skies.”
🧑✈️Statue of the Young Airman
His gaze toward the future... it gave me a quiet sense of Showa-era nostalgia.
🐉 Is that Dragonite flying through the sky?! Spotted a Poké Lid, too!
Summary
A park where planes and nature live in perfect harmony — it felt just like a sky-themed amusement park!
It’s so spacious, you could easily spend the whole day here. I’d love to come back during peak cherry blossom season! 🌸
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
＊＊TabiJun＊＊
