A Perfect Summer Night at Shiba Park

 

One of my favourite things about summer in Japan is finding simple ways to enjoy the warm evenings.

 

About a month ago, I decided to do something I hadn’t done in years—I had a night picnic at Shiba Park in Tokyo.

 

Sometimes the best outings don’t require much planning.

 

On my way there, I stopped by a supermarket and picked up a few of my favourite snacks: chicken wings, Hot Cheetos, and doughnuts. It might not sound like the healthiest picnic, but it was exactly what I was in the mood for!

 

With my bag full of snacks, I headed to the park.

 

The weather couldn’t have been better.

 

It wasn’t too hot, and it wasn’t too cold. There was a gentle breeze, and the evening felt calm and relaxing. After the heat of the day, it was the perfect time to be outside.

 

Of course, one of the biggest reasons people visit Shiba Park is the incredible view of Tokyo Tower.

 

Even though I’ve seen Tokyo Tower many times, I never get tired of it.

 

At night, it’s especially beautiful.

 

The orange lights stand out against the dark sky, and the tower almost seems to glow above the city. Sitting on the grass with some good food while looking up at one of Japan’s most famous landmarks made for a fantastic evening.

 

It reminded me that you don’t always need to travel far or spend lots of money to enjoy yourself.

 

Sometimes, all you need is good weather, a few snacks, and a nice place to relax.

 

Living in Japan has taught me to appreciate those smaller moments.

 

Whether it’s visiting a local park, walking around your neighbourhood, or stopping to enjoy a beautiful view, those simple experiences often become the memories we remember most.

 

As an English teacher, I also realised that this picnic would make a great conversation topic.

 

Many English learners worry about not having anything interesting to talk about.

 

But everyday experiences are often the best stories.

 

Imagine someone asks you,

 

“What did you do last weekend?”

 

Instead of saying,

 

“Nothing.”

 

You could answer,

 

“I had a night picnic at Shiba Park.”

 

“I bought chicken wings and doughnuts from the supermarket.”

 

“The view of Tokyo Tower was amazing.”

 

Those simple sentences can lead to a much longer conversation.

 

The other person might ask what you ate, whether there were many people, or if you’ve visited Tokyo Tower before.

 

That’s how real conversations work.

 

You don’t need exciting adventures every weekend.

 

You simply need experiences that are personal to you.

 

At Jabble, that’s exactly what we encourage our students to talk about.

 

Rather than memorising long textbook dialogues, we practise talking about real life.

 

Maybe you visited a café.

 

Maybe you watched a baseball game.

 

Maybe you cooked something new.

 

Or maybe you simply spent a relaxing evening in a park.

 

Those are the stories people enjoy hearing because they’re genuine.

 

Looking back, I think what I enjoyed most about my night picnic wasn’t the food or even the amazing view.

 

It was the chance to slow down.

 

Life can get busy, and it’s easy to spend every evening rushing home or looking at your phone.

 

Sitting outside under the night sky reminded me how important it is to take a break every now and then.

 

I definitely want to do another night picnic before summer is over.

 

Maybe next time I’ll try different food—or maybe I’ll bring even more doughnuts!

 

If you’re looking for a relaxing evening in Tokyo, I highly recommend visiting Shiba Park after sunset. Bring some of your favourite snacks, find a comfortable spot on the grass, and enjoy one of the best views of Tokyo Tower.

 

And the next time you’re in class at Jabble, why not tell us about one of your favourite summer evenings?

 

You might be surprised how easy it is to turn a simple memory into a great English conversation.

 

See you at Jabble Funabashi!

 

 

【スタッフによる要約】

約1か月前に芝公園でナイトピクニックを楽しんだStacey先生。スーパーでチキンウィングやホットチートス、ドーナツを買い込み、東京タワーを眺めながら過ごした夏の夜について紹介します。身近な場所でも特別な思い出が作れることや、こうした体験は英会話の話題としてもぴったりであることを伝えています。