What is a National Government Park? ｜Free for Children! List of Facilities Nationwide for Families and Individual Travellers

In Japan, there are 17 city parks operated by the government throughout the country.

In this article, we will explain what a national government park is. This article explains what a national government park is and introduces each of the parks.

 

 About the National Government Park

A park for recreation and disaster prevention

National government parks are urban parks established throughout the country by the government, which serve as bases for recreation, environmental learning, local culture and disaster prevention.

 

Large parks with free facilities for children

Of the 17 national government parks, five have free entry. The other parks charge an entrance fee of around 500 yen, but are free for primary and secondary school children.

Many of the national government parks have athletic, water and sports facilities, and you can also take part in inexpensive craft classes where you can make your own woodwork using natural materials such as nuts from the park.

Some parks offer picnics with packed lunches, or groups can bring in their own food and have a barbecue.

 

List of national government parks in Japan

1. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park (Hokkaido)

This is a national government park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, offering a wide range of activities.

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park Official Site

 

2. Michinoku Forest Lakeside National Government Park (Miyagi Prefecture)

This is a national government park in Miyagi Prefecture, built around a dam.

Website of Michinoku Forest Lakeside National Government Park

 

3. Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki Prefecture)

This national government park is located near the sea in Ibaraki Prefecture, famous for its fields of nemophila flowers.

Hitachi Seaside Park Official Site

 

4. Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park (Saitama Prefecture)

It was the first national government park in Japan to be built in Saitama Prefecture.

Musashi Kyuryo National Government Park Official Site

 

5. Showa Memorial Park (Tokyo)

It is the largest national government park in Tokyo with an area of 165 hectares.

Showa Memorial Park Official Site

 

6. Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park (Tokyo)

This national government park is located in Ariake, Tokyo and is equipped with a disaster prevention learning facility.

Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park Official Site

 

7. Echigo Hillside Park (Niigata Prefecture)

Located in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, Echigo Hillside Park is a great place to enjoy seasonal flowers such as roses and tulips. The park also has an athletic field, a water playground, a snow sledding field and other natural play areas.

For more information on Echigo Hillside Park, please read this article.

 

8. Alps Azumino National Government Park (Nagano Prefecture)

Located in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, Alps Azumino National Government Park is divided into two areas: the Omachi/Matsukawa area and the Horikane/Hotaka area.

The Omachi/Matsugawa area offers shady walks and mountain bike paths. In the Horikane and Hotaka areas, the park is set around a mountain stream fed by melting snow from the North Alps.

Click here to read about the Horikane and Matsukawa areas of the park.

 

9. Kiso Sansen National Government Park (Gifu, Aichi and Mie Prefectures)

It is the largest national government park in Japan, covering three prefectures in the Tokai region.

Kiso Sansen National Government Park Official Site

 

10. Yodogawa Riverside Park (Kyoto and Osaka Prefectures)

It is a state-run river park that stretches 37 kilometers along the banks of the Yodogawa River, where waterfowl gather, and has been developed on the grounds of 40 districts.

Yodogawa Riverside Park Official Site

 

11. Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park (Hyogo Prefecture)

This is a national park located on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, overlooking Osaka Bay and the Akashi Strait, where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and greenery.

Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park Official Site

 

12. Asuka Historical National Government Park (Nara Prefecture)

This national government park in Nara Prefecture is built around a tumulus from the Asuka period.

National Asuka Historical Park Official Site

 

13. Bikoku Hillside Park (Hiroshima Prefecture)

This is a national government park in Hiroshima Prefecture with a large plaza that is used as a venue for outdoor concerts.

Bikoku Hillside Park Site

 

14. Sanuki Manno Park (Kagawa Prefecture)

This national government park in Kagawa Prefecture is built around the largest reservoir in Japan.

Sanuki Manno Park Official Site

 

15. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Umi-no-Nakamichi Seaside Park is a national park in Fukuoka Prefecture that has a swimming pool, an amusement park, a nature zoo where you can interact with animals, a flower museum, and other facilities where you can enjoy plenty of activities.

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Official Site

 

16. Yoshinogari Historical Park (Saga Prefecture)

Yoshinogari Rekishi Koen (Yoshinogari History Park) in Saga Prefecture is a national park that provides recreational facilities around a preserved area of Yayoi period ruins.

To read more about our visit to Yoshinogari Historical Park, please read this article.

 

17. Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park Ocean Expo Park (Okinawa Prefecture)

Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park (Ocean Expo Park) is a national government park with famous tourist attractions in Okinawa such as Churaumi Aquarium and Shuri Castle.

Ocean Expo Park Official Site

 

Summary of National Government Parks

A full day’s park for individuals and families

The National Government Park has walking trails and well maintained toilets in the park. There is also a seasonal flower festival and illumination events throughout the year.

It’s a great day out for individuals and families alike, so if you’re in the area, why not stop by the National Government Park?

 

Other parks in Japan

You can also read more about parks in other parts of Japan here.