Yatsu Higata, a 1000-acre mudflat connected to Tokyo Bay, is one of the better bird-watching spots in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The wetlands here are an excellent place to see migrating shorebirds during their stopover in Japan, with good bird-watching opportunities all through the year. And it's relatively accessible via public transportion - roughly a twenty-minute walk from JR Minami-Funabashi station and Ikea, which are about 25 minutes from Tokyo station.

Although it's a mudflat there's no need to bring your wading boots - with an investment of Y300 you can enjoy the wrap-around view from the site's Nature Observation Center. There you'll find good-quality telescopes and binoculars, bird-spotting guidebooks, and a fairly extensive avian-focused library (all in Japanese). A play area is provided to keep younger children busy, and the center's store sells books and bird-themed souvenirs. The cozy little cafe serves pastas and curries, coffee and microbrew beers.