Japan Trip Part 2: Port of Tokyo Wild Bird Park and Tokyo Station

"Tori" or "Bird." From giant Port of Tokyo Wild Bird Park sign.

It was around 3 pm and I was in Kanda. If I moved quickly I could grab a train, transfer to the Haneda monorail, get off at Ryutsu Center Station, and walk swiftly to the Port of Tokyo Wild Bird Park before it stopped admitting people at 4:30. I would still have half an hour before closing to look around.

0.5 Km to the Wild Bird Park

Signs along the way counted down the distance I still had to travel.

Traffic sign directing cars to the Bird Park

Apparently it was important enough to the area to have its own traffic signs.

Only 300 meters to the entrance!

Finally, I reached the corner of the fenced-in park, only 300 meters to the main gate.

New Year's closure 12/29 to 1/3

It was still before 4:30 when I arrived, only to find... that the park was closed for the holiday. I thought I had checked this online but... Oh well, I wasn't going to have time to bird anyway. And it was nice to have a context for the park's location even if I couldn't get inside.

What's this bird?

On the way back I discovered a series of bird information monuments featuring common birds that locals should know. This gull with the black head is what?

Yurikamome (Black-headed gull)

Yes, the black-headed gull. The local name is "Yurikamome." (The name of a new Odaiba-based train line). During the winter they settle at city parks and take handouts.

Yurikamome (Black-headed gull) outside Tokyo station.

If you find yourself at Tokyo Station in the winter with time to spare, it is worth leaving from the main entrance and walking towards the Imperial Palace grounds.

Yurikamome, outer moat of Imperial Palace Grounds.

The outer moats are filled with urban-adapted water birds, such as tufted ducks, coots, cormorants, little grebes, and lots of yurikamome.

Yurikamome, near Tokyo Station.

Next post: Kyoto.