The Japanese Park is Islamabad’s best-known children’s park, set in the Marghazar area at the foot of the Margalla Hills. It was a gift from Japan to the children of Pakistan, and today it is a simple, green, family-friendly spot with playground rides, lawns and picnic areas against a backdrop of wooded hills. If you are travelling with kids, it is an easy and inexpensive outing.
Plan your visit to Japanese Park
- Entry: free or a very small fee
- Daily, morning to evening
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
History of Japanese Park
The park opened in 1985, when the Government of Japan provided the park and its play equipment as a gift of friendship, from the children of Japan to the children of Pakistan, marking a visit by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. It is run by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
After about 30 years the original rides had worn out, and in 2015 Japan funded new play equipment worth around 80 million yen through its grant aid programme. Source: Embassy of Japan in Pakistan.
The neighbouring Islamabad (Marghazar) Zoo was closed in 2020 by court order; its animals, including the elephant Kaavan, were moved to sanctuaries, and there are plans to turn the site into a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre.
Attractions at Japanese Park
- Playground rides: swings, slides and climbing frames, many from the 2015 Japanese-funded renewal.
- Lawns and picnic areas: shady grass and benches for family picnics.
- Margalla Hills setting: the wooded hills rise directly behind the park.
- Snack stalls: tea, drinks and snacks are usually on sale near the entrance.
Things to Do at Japanese Park
- Let the kids play: best for younger children; supervise them, as equipment condition varies.
- Picnic: bring a blanket and lunch, and take your rubbish with you.
- Walk in the Marghazar area: the green belt at the foot of the hills is pleasant for a stroll.
- Combine with the hills: drive up to Daman-e-Koh afterwards for the city view.
Japanese Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free or a very small fee (the CDA abolished entry fees at most public parks in 2023); some rides may charge.
- Hours: open daily from morning until evening; check locally for current times.
- Best time: weekday mornings are quiet; weekends and holidays get very busy.
How Long to Spend at Japanese Park
Allow 1 to 2 hours, or longer for a family picnic.
How to Get There
- By taxi or ride-hailing: Careem, inDrive and Yango will take you to the Marghazar / Japanese Park gate, about 15 minutes from the Blue Area.
- By car: drive north towards the Margalla Hills via Margalla Road; parking is available near the park.
- From the airport: Islamabad International Airport is roughly 40 km away, about 45 to 60 minutes by car.
- Public transport: there is no direct public transport to the park, so a taxi is the practical choice.
Arriving at Islamabad International Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Japanese Park
Snack and tea stalls operate around the park. For proper meals, Saidpur Village has several restaurants a short drive away, and the F-6 and F-7 markets (Kohsar Market, Jinnah Super) have a wide choice of cafes. The Monal restaurant on the Margalla Hills has been closed since 2024.
Other Attractions Nearby Japanese Park
- Daman-e-Koh: hillside viewpoint over the city, a short drive up the hill.
- Saidpur Village: restored old village with restaurants.
- Faisal Mosque: Islamabad’s landmark mosque.
- Margalla Hills National Park: hiking trails start along Margalla Road.
- Lake View Park: another family park, on the shore of Rawal Lake.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Islamabad: sectors E-7, F-6 and F-7 are closest to the Margalla Hills parks.
- Get a Pakistan eSIM before you land (foreign phones may need PTA registration for long stays).
The Japanese Park is a modest but much-loved children’s park at the foot of the Margalla Hills, given by Japan in 1985 and re-equipped with Japanese funding in 2015. Entry is free or nearly free, so it is an easy break for families.
Afterwards, drive up to Daman-e-Koh for the view, or spend an afternoon at Lake View Park by Rawal Lake.