Guide to Japan`s Parks & Gardens
Japan is home to dozens of parks and gardens. With a wide range of variation, such as :
– National parks
– City Parks
– Japanese gardens
– Botanical Gardens
Have you ever thought what the difference between "Park" and "Garden" ?
The main difference is:
🔹Gardens is mainly for viewing enjoyment.
In other words, the main purpose is to “appreciate” the scenery.
A garden is a beautiful landscape that there staff that works and care the flowers and plants. That is the reason, most of the gardens will cost entrance fee and will be open in certain hours.
🔹Parks, on the other hand, are also contains play enjoyment.
It may contain viewing enjoyment. but also various actions such as play.
For example; barbecue / fishing / sports/ playground equipment, etc…
Mostly will be free to use and with 24 hours open to use (※ Not all the parks).
Ready to explore?
Here a lists a of parks & gardens in Japan.
Best Parks and Gardens Around Japan
Below is a list of the best parks and gardens around Japan that we visited and recommend. Click on what you find interested for reading more.
Hokkaido
Shiretoko Five Lakes National Park
Set of five small lakes in different sizes, located in Eastern Hokkaido. The five lakes surrounded by deep forests of Shiretoko Peninsula. Famous for wildlife, and in particular the large resident population of brown bears.
The unspoiled beauty here and value as a conservation area has earned it recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Kanto
Hitachi SeaSide Park
Park that located in Ibaraki Prefecture facing to the Pacific Ocean .
And its featuring a variety of green spaces and many seasonal flowers.
Chubu
Alps Azumino National Government Park
It is a national park that located in Nagano Prefecture.
Stretches over the foothills of the Northern Alps.
Wide and beautiful park that you can find various flowers.
Kenrokuen Garden
Located in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The garden is classified as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens”
Kansai
Mizu-no-Mori Water Botanical Garden
Located in Shiga Prefecture.
Also known as Kusatsu Aquatic Botanical Garden.
Botanical garden specialized in aquatic plants.
Nara Park
Large park in central Nara.
There over 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city.
Recommended season – Spring and Autumn.
Chugoku
Korakuen Garden
Beautiful landscape garden in Okayama prefecture.
It ranked as one of Japan’s three best landscape gardens.