Summer all over the world means BBQ time, and that holds true for Tokyo. Show up to the party with your stuff ready to cook or with nothing at all — these parks can kit you out and feed you too!
Barbeques are part of the Tokyo summer experience, along with beach day trips and river camping. Unfortunately, not every city dweller has a grill, but Tokyo is a place that makes things happen.
Owning your own barbie is not a necessity for enjoying some thoroughly grilled delicacies in the big city (or in its nature). Purchase your own disposable tin foil barbecue for the simple option, or go full-on extra and get yourself a tipi-style one—you do you.
Whatever you fancy, please be sure of two things: cook all food properly and do not use barbecues in tents, as the carbon monoxide will genuinely kill you (some BBQ spots reccomend you use a tent if it rains — do not). Other than that, bring drinks, be merry, and get grilling!
1. Shōwa Memorial Park
Shōwa Memorial Park (Shōwa Kinen-kōen) is a top Tokyo BBQ spot because you can show up empty-handed — no ingredients, no equipment, nothing! At the park’s BBQ Garden you can rent equipment and buy platters of meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles.
Their “empty-handed” BBQ sets range from ¥2,800 to ¥3,800 per person and include all equipment (charcoal, tongs, bowls, trays, an aluminium plate, bowls, a knife, a chopping board, and a table) and food platters of varying sizes. They even have a beer keg for rent.
Shōwa Memorial Park is also one of our top picnic spots. It’s a really big park that is also known for all kinds of beautiful blossom displays.
Reservations: Call 042-524-6603 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or go online (Japanese only)
Seniors: ¥210
Where: 3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo (Nishi-Tachikawa Station). Showa Memorial Park is large and is near two stations, Tachikawa and Nishi-Tachikawa. The barbecue garden is closer to Nishi-Tachikawa Station (it’s an 8-minute walk).
Admission (park charge): ¥450 (adults); ¥210 (senior citizens); children under 15 enter free
Hours: 9:30am-5pm on weekdays; until 6pm on weekends; until 4:30pm from Nov to Feb
2. Tamagawa Green Space BBQ Area
Just five minutes away from Futako-Tamagawa Station and next to the Tama River is Tamagawa Green Space BBQ Area. There are nice, relaxing views and some kids cool down by taking a dip and playing in the Tama River.
You can rent equipment here: a basic set, consisting of a portable stove, grill, and tongs, is ¥2,100 (there are two other equipment rental set options for ¥3,000 and ¥9,000, and you can also rent equipment individually). You do, however, have to bring your own food.
There’s an entry fee of ¥500, but children (elementary school and younger) get in for free.
Reservations: Call 0120-256-889 or go online (only accessible in Japan)
Where: Futako-Tamagawa Station
Admission: ¥500
Hours: 9am-6pm from Apr to Sep; 9am-4pm from Oct to Mar
3. Sona Area Tokyo BBQ Garden
Sona Area Tokyo BBQ Garden, in Ariake (near Odaiba), is an extremely Cheapo option! Just like with Shōwa Memorial Park, you can turn up without any equipment. For the cost of admission, you can rent certain tools such as a portable stove, lighter, table, tongs, oil, plates, and more — basically, all you need to have a barbecue at no extra cost! Of course, you have to reserve in advance, which you can do here.
You can pay extra to rent additional equipment such as a tarp, cooler, or folding table. You can also order an all-inclusive package (which includes equipment and food) from ¥3,300 per person. Pets are allowed as long as they’re kept on a leash.
Reservations: Call 050-3816-6374 or go online
Children: ¥550
Where: Ariake 3-chome, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Ariake Station)
Admission: ¥1,500 (adults), ¥550 (children)
Hours: From Mar to Nov there are two time slots: 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm; from Dec to Feb there is only one: 11am-3pm
Reservations: Call 050-3816-6374 or go online
4. Komabano Park
Across the train line from the University of Tokyo’s Komaba Campus is Komabano Park. It’s not as popular as Tokyo’s other parks, which means it doesn’t get as crowded. The park has a free barbecue ground with five BBQ pits, but advanced reservations are required and difficult to get. The lush greenery of this park makes it a good place for a relaxing barbecue.
Don’t get confused with the park across the way called Komaba Park. It does not have a BBQ area, but it does have the Japan Folk Crafts Museum.
Reservations: Call 03-3485-7760 or visit the Komabano Park Management Office
Where: Komaba-Todaimae Station
Admission: Free
Hours: 9am-4pm
5. Wild Magic
Wild Magic is an urban park in Toyosu with tents, fairy lights, and fire pits. It has barbecue plans for ¥5,500 (standard) and ¥6,600 (premium and halal) per person (exclusive of tax). For an additional ¥3,300, you can opt for an all-you-can-drink plan that includes cocktails.
The prices include food and equipment. When you reserve, you can choose where you want to be (by the water, by the fire pits, etc) and also the meal plan.
Reservations: Go online
Where: Toyosu 6-1-23, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Shin-Toyosu Station)
Hours: 10am-10pm with 4-hour slots
6. Kasai Rinkai Park
Kasai Rinkai Park has a barbecue plaza, but prior reservation is required. You can either bring your own or reserve a package and turn up empty handed.
Prices start at ¥3,300 per person (including tax) and go up to ¥5,280 per person (including tax) if you want the deluxe plan and don’t want to do the cleanup. In addition to having a barbecue, you can also enjoy the park’s other attractions, like the Ferris wheel, bird sanctuary, and aquarium.
Reservation: A reservation is necessary. Go online.
Where: 6 Rinkai-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo (Kasai Rinkai Koen Station)
Hours: 9am-6pm; 10am-5pm from Dec to Feb
7. Toyosu Gururi Park BBQ Place
Boasting an impressive view of Rainbow Bridge, Toyosu Gururi Park is bustling with families, friends, and furry animals looking to relax after a day out in Tokyo Bay. It is touted as the biggest BBQ space in the city. Toyosu Fish Market is only down the road, so the BBQ platters benefit from the fresh seafood on offer.
It is free to bring in outside food and drink (you can even fish at the park) and clean up is included in the lot price.
Lot rental spaces start at ¥1,650 per person and include all equipment, but you’ll have to pay extra for food. Sunset time is understandably a little more expensive because of the incredible views. They provide standard (¥2,090), premium wagyu (¥4,180), and other sets, as well as a la carte options, such as Hokkaido scallops, t-bone steaks, shrimps, and paella.
Their all-you-can-drink menu is very reasonably priced at only ¥1,900 for three hours.
Reservations: Call 03-6659-5070 or go online (group and Japanese only). Deadline for reservations is two (phone) or three days (online) before intended use
Where: 6-5-27 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Shijō-mae Station)
Hours: 4-hour slots from 11am-4pm (weekdays and weekends from Nov to Apr); 11am-4pm (weekdays) and 10am-7pm (weekends only) from May to Oct; closed Tue.
Admission: Lot rental required
8. Tsukiji BBQ
Barbeques don’t stop at red meat. While Tokyo’s fish market has moved to Toyosu, you can still choose from a wide selection of seafood and “throw another shrimp on the barbie” in Tsukiji.
This unique Tsukiji BBQ experience lets you shop from the outer market areas of Tsukiji and take your produce directly to the rooftop of the Tsukiji Uogashi Kaikoubashi Building, where you can cook and eat it fresh. If you buy heaps from the market, you can also get discounts.
There are different prices and times depending on the size of your group — with standing spaces even for solo grillers for ¥990. For those who like to sit and eat, you can rent a space for ¥14,300 per group (up to six people) or ¥2,200 per person (up to four people).
No matter the size of your party, remember to be careful. We know from personal experience that the amount of fat dripping from the fish means something may catch alight…
Reservations: Call or go online (Japanese only and no reservations for standing)
Where: Tsukiji Outer Fish Market (for shopping) and Tsukiji Uogashi Kaikoubashi Building Rooftop Plaza (for cooking) (Tsukiji Station)
Hours: 2- or 3-hour slots from 10am-5pm
Admission: From ¥990
9. Kiba Park
While you’re in the Kiba Park area, why not have a do-it-yourself lunch in the enormous park’s barbeque plaza? There’s also more to see than sausages sizzling. Take in the views of Tokyo Sky Tree and the suspension bridge that connects the two halves of the park. You can also try a spot of tennis but remember to do it before — not after — eating.
You may have all the equipment and ingredients ready to go and just need a space. Luckily, you can reserve that for free. However, if you end up buying an all-inclusive set, the park will lend you a free tarp if it rains. Packages start from ¥3,300 and include food and tools. You can also rent a grill on its own from ¥875 per person.
The BBQ plaza’s operators also have other locations in Tokyo and around Japan.
Where: Kiba Park, 4-6-1 Hirano, Koto-ku, Tokyo (Kiba Station)
Hours: 10am-4pm; plus 5pm-8pm on certain summer days (no outside equipment or food allowed at this time); closed Mon from Dec to Feb
Admission: Free
Reservations: Call 050-5835-0493 or go online (reservations available up to three days in advance)
10. Okutama, Tama River
A little further afield is the beautiful nature of Okutama. There are many spots along the banks of the Tama River to BYOB (Bring Your Own Barbeque) and get cooking, but they aren’t all strictly allowed.
Play it safe with Kawai Camping Ground. This is definitely an all-day affair as you can rent a site for ¥8,500 for up to 5 people (all equipment included) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you want to join other fellow grillers, they also have a BBQ House from ¥1,500 per person or a spot by the river for ¥1,000, but you’ll have to rent a grill for an extra ¥1,000. You can also reserve ingredients (book in advance!). It is a 7-minute walk from the station, pets are allowed, and parking is available for a fee.
Reservations: Call 0428-85-2206 or go online (Japanese only)
Where: Kawai Camping Ground, 187 Umezawa, Okutama, Nishitama, Tokyo (Kawai Station)
Hours: 10am-4pm (BBQ site); 8am-4pm (day camp)
Admission: From ¥1,000
Picnicking more your thing? Here are the best parks for it!
This post was first published in July 2018, and last updated in July 2022 by Alexandra Ziminski.
