Hibiya Park, Tokyo

Hibiya Park, located in Tokyo, has a rich history. During the Edo period, it was occupied by the estates of the Mōri clan and Nabeshima clan. Later, during the Meiji period, it served as a space for military maneuvers. However, in 1903, it was transformed into a public park, officially opening on June 1st of that year.

On September 5, 1905, Hibiya Park became the focal point of the Hibiya Incendiary Incident, a two-day citywide riot sparked by discontent over the Treaty of Portsmouth ending the Russo-Japanese War. It led to 17 deaths, 331 arrests, and significant property damage, driven by opposition to the treaty's terms and frustration with unresponsive bureaucrats on foreign policy.

Within the park, you'll find the notable Shisei Kaikan, a Gothic-style brick building constructed in 1929. This building once served as the home of the Domei Tsushin state wire service and, in the postwar era, its successors, Kyodo News and Jiji Press. Another point of interest is the "Risky Ginkgo," a nearly 500-year-old Ginkgo tree. Interestingly, its preservation led to a heated debate in 1901 and nearly cost the park's designer his job.

Hibiya Park is also renowned for its open-air concert venue, known as the Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall or simply Yaon. Additionally, its tennis courts are highly sought after, with reservations being fiercely contested due to their proximity to the financial and government districts. Unfortunately, during World War II, the park suffered significant losses as many of its trees and fencing were requisitioned for the war effort.