Itabashi Botanical Garden

The Nettaikan is a public tropical greenhouse run by Itabashi ward in north-western Tokyo, heated by waste heat from the adjacent incinerator plant. Three levels reproduce a cross-section of tropical biomes: mangroves around the basement pool, cloud forest and lowland rainforest above. Roughly 300 plant species grow here, alongside dart frogs, butterflies and tropical freshwater fish. The Seibu group's facility management division operates the building on behalf of the ward. Families come for the coral-reef aquarium tanks and for the events held when the giant Amorphophallus or the night-blooming Queen of the Night flowers open. Admission is cheap and access is by Tobu Tojo Line to Takashimadaira station.