20 Parks in Aichi worth your time

A free-entry amusement park on a former freight station site featuring an 85-meter Ferris wheel overlooking the Nagoya Port.

What it is

• An amusement park opened in 1995 on a former JR Freight station site
• The facility is operated by Senyo Kogyo in the Minato Ward
• Admission to the park grounds is free for all visitors
• Individual attractions require a separate fee for use

What to see

• A Ferris wheel standing 85 meters tall with views of the port
• Two see-through gondolas added to the Ferris wheel in 2011
• The park mascot character named Seeton-kun
• Views of the mouth of the Nakagawa Canal bordering the site
• Nearby attractions including the Nagoya Port Aquarium

Getting there

• Located near Nagoya Port Station on the Meiko Line

Official site

www.senyo.co.jp

Read more about Nagoya Port Sea Train Land

Explore ancient burial mounds and excavated artifacts at this historic park.

What it is

• A district park in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Features ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Designated one of Japan's 100 Historical Parks in 2007.

What to see

• Ajiyoshi Futagoyama Kofun, a national historic site.
• Otobisho Kofun, a prefectural historic site.
• Haniwa-no-yakata exhibits excavated artifacts.
• Kasugai City Futago Learning Shared Facility.

When to go

• Haniwa Festival has been held since 1991.

Getting there

• About 10 minutes walk from Ajima Station.
• About 10 minutes walk from Ajiyoshi Station.

Read more about Futagoyama Park (Kasugai)

Kijo Park offers castle history, a Japanese garden, and cherry blossoms, all within a short walk from two stations.

What it is

• A park named after Kariya Castle's alias, Kijo.
• Established on former castle grounds, honmaru and ninomaru.
• Kariya Castle was built by Mizuno Tadakatsu in 1553.

What to see

• A Japanese garden developed on the honmaru site.
• Approximately 650 cherry trees.
• Kariya City History Museum opened in 2019.

When to go

• Cherry blossom festival from late March to early April.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Aizuma Station on the JR Tokaido Line.
• 15-minute walk from Kariyashi Station on the Meitetsu Mikawa Line.

Read more about Kijō Park

Shūrakuen Park features Japan's first reinforced concrete Great Buddha, a significant historical landmark.

What it is

• A park in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened in 1916 by businessman Saikichi Yamada.
• Named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Jurakudai.
• Also known as "Shiawase-mura" with other facilities.

What to see

• The Shūrakuen Daibutsu, a famous Great Buddha.
• Japan's first reinforced concrete Great Buddha, built 1927.
• Largest Buddha statue in Japan when completed.
• Stone revetment, registered as a tangible cultural property.
• The Daibutsu and grounds designated a scenic spot.

Getting there

• About 5 minutes walk from Jurakuen Station.

Official site

www.aiko-service.co.jp

Read more about Shūrakuen Park

Explore a unique private museum showcasing 55 million shells, minerals, and fossils.

What it is

• A private museum in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Concept is a theme park of minerals, fossils, and shells.
• Opened in 1983 as Gamagori Fantasy Museum.
• Reopened in 2014 as Takeshima Fantasy Museum.

What to see

• Exhibits made from 55 million shells.
• Shells collected from 110 countries worldwide.
• A shell and stone exhibition room.
• Four mini-theaters.
• A fish market called Totomarin.

Getting there

• 20 minutes on foot from Gamagori Station.
• 30 minutes from Otowa Gamagori IC on Tomei Expressway.

Official site

www.fantasykan.jp

Read more about Takeshima Fantasy Museum

Akatsukayama Park offers a small zoo, aquarium, and gardens commemorating Toyokawa City's 50th anniversary.

What it is

• A comprehensive park in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened in July 1993.
• Established to commemorate Toyokawa City's 50th anniversary.

What to see

• Aniani Maru, a small zoo with goats, rabbits, and ponies.
• Gyogyo Land, a two-story freshwater fish aquarium.
• Aquarium exhibits 100 species and 2,000 fish.
• Plum Garden with 25 varieties and 281 plum trees.
• Iris Garden has 100 varieties and 5,000 irises.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays and the day after national holidays.

Read more about Akatsukayama Park

Explore a historic castle park, famous for cherry blossoms and wisteria, with a lively summer festival.

What it is

• A public urban park in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Centered around the rebuilt Okazaki Castle.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Urban Parks.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• Okazaki Castle, rebuilt in 1959.
• Castle keep, a scenic important building.
• Cherry blossoms in spring.
• Wisteria along the Otogawa embankment.
• Gomangoku Fuji, a prefectural natural monument.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms and wisteria.
• Summer for a lively fireworks festival.

Official site

okazaki-kanko.jp

Read more about Okazaki Park

This large sports complex hosts various field sports and is adjacent to a major park.

What it is

• A large playing field complex in Ichinomiya City.
• Opened on October 9, 1993.
• Operated by Konami Sports Club and Kintetsu Building Service Group.
• Used for soccer, rugby, football, hockey, and American football.

What to see

• Main ground field is 163m by 92m with natural grass.
• Main stand has a capacity of 4,030 people.
• Back stand has a capacity of 3,150 people.
• Sub ground field is 163m by 92m with natural grass.

When to go

• Closed every Monday.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Read more about Ichinomiya Komyoji Park Playing Field

Obata Green Park offers diverse gardens, sports, and nature, with lookout points over Nagoya.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Nagoya and Owariasahi.
• Comprises West, Main, Central, and East Gardens.

What to see

• Baseball field and tennis courts in the West Garden.
• Wide plaza and natural hills in the Main Garden.
• Lookout point in Main Garden overlooks Nobi Plain.
• Wild bird sanctuary and aquatic garden in Central Garden.
• Aquatic garden opened in April 2005.
• Lookout point in East Garden overlooks eastern Nagoya.

When to go

• Restaurant, barbecue site, and campsite opened in 2021.

Official site

www.aichi-koen.com

Read more about Obata Green Park

Anjo Sports Park is a large sports complex with multiple facilities, easily accessible by train.

What it is

• A large sports park in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Divided by railway tracks, connected by an underpass.
• Hosted events for the 49th National Sports Festival.

What to see

• Anjo City Gymnasium, completed in 1979.
• Anjo City Sports Center with a 25m heated pool.
• Anjo City Athletic Field with a 400m track.
• Anjo City Baseball Field and Tennis Courts.
• Denso Bright Pegasus Stadium, a softball field.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Kita-Anjo Station.
• On the Meitetsu Nishio Line.

Address

愛知県安城市新田町池田上1番 Map

Official site

www.city.anjo.aichi.jp

Read more about Anjo Sports Park

Akashi Park offers free admission, an amusement park, and unique monument, ideal for families.

What it is

• An urban park in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1989.
• Admission to the park is free.

What to see

• An amusement park.
• A field athletic area called Trim no Mori.
• A shop and a traffic plaza.
• A monument shaped like a soy sauce barrel.
• Paid playground equipment (100 yen per use).

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kita-Shinkawa Station.
• 550 free parking spaces available.

Official site

akashi-park.jp

Read more about Akashi Park

A modern urban park in Nagoya with a TV tower and commercial facilities.

What it is

• A large urban park in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
• Established as an urban park on January 14, 1970.
• RAYARD Hisaya-odori Park opened on September 18, 2020.
• Japan's largest commercial facility under the Park-PFI system.

What to see

• Nagoya TV Tower stands in the central part.
• Park is divided into several areas.
• Keyaki Hiroba and Shibafu Hiroba are two areas.
• Hope Fountain was completed in October 1969.

When to go

• Numerous events are hosted throughout the year.

Read more about Hisaya Ōdori Park

Ghibli Park brings Studio Ghibli films to life with immersive exhibits and themed areas.

What it is

• A theme park based on Studio Ghibli films.
• Opened on November 1, 2022.
• Located within Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park.
• Joint venture by Chunichi Shimbun and Studio Ghibli.

What to see

• Exhibits based on Studio Ghibli films.
• Three areas opened in the first phase.
• Mononoke no Sato area opened in November 2023.
• Witches' Valley area opened in March 2024.

Getting there

• Main access is Linimo's Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station.
• No dedicated parking at the park.

Official site

ghibli-park.jp

Read more about Ghibli Park

See the world's largest primate exhibition, home to 52 species of monkeys.

What it is

• A zoo specializing in monkeys.
• The world's largest living primate exhibition facility.
• Became an independent organization in 2014.
• Operated by the Japan Monkey Centre Public Interest Foundation.

What to see

• Exhibits 52 primate species as of January 2025.
• Houses Japanese macaques from closed facilities.

When to go

• Facility closes completely for renovation on October 19, 2026.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Inuyama Station.

Official site

www.japanmonkeycentre.org

Read more about Japan Monkey Centre

Santepark Tahara is an agricultural park with gardens, animals, and activities for a relaxing hour.

What it is

• An agricultural park in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened on April 15, 1995.
• Operated by Tahara City and Aichi Minami Agricultural Cooperative.
• Its official name is Tahara City Ashigaike Agricultural Park.

What to see

• Santegarden flower garden.
• Small zoo with chickens and rabbits.
• Former Toyohashi Railroad vehicles in the parking lot.
• Ashigaike Pond with a 2.7 km cycling course.
• Salad Hall for learning about agriculture.
• Workshop for handmade experiences.

Read more about Santepark Tahara

A park commemorating friendship with Mississauga, featuring unique monuments and a rose garden.

What it is

• Officially named Sawatari Park, opened March 24, 2001.
• Commemorates friendship with Mississauga City, Canada.
• Covers an area of 3.0 hectares.

What to see

• Rest area with a clock tower, mimicking Mississauga City Hall.
• 10-meter tall monument donated by Denso.
• Bear monument donated by Mississauga City.
• Maple leaf monument donated by Canada.
• Rose garden with 1,200 roses.
• Day camp facility.

Getting there

• 21-minute walk from Kariya Station.

Read more about Mississauga Park

Shōnai Greens is a large park in Nagoya with diverse facilities for recreation and relaxation.

What it is

• A large park in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1986.
• Utilizes the Odai flood basin of the Shōnai River.
• Functions as a flood basin on the right bank of the Shōnai River.

What to see

• Rose garden.
• Cycling course.
• Boat pond.
• Tennis courts and athletic field.
• Shōnai Greens Green Plaza.
• Skate park, opened in April 2019.

Getting there

• Accessible from Shōnai Ryokuchi Kōen Station.
• Accessible from Kami-Otai Station.

Read more about Shōnai Greens

Former Expo 2005 site, now a large park with Ghibli Park and sports facilities.

What it is

• A large park, nicknamed Moricoro Park.
• Opened July 15, 2006.
• Site of the 2005 World Expo.
• Covers approximately 190 hectares.

What to see

• Ghibli Park, opened November 1, 2022.
• Ice skating rink.
• Baseball field and gymnasium.
• Tennis courts and futsal courts.
• Cycling course.

When to go

• Annually hosts the Aichi Ekiden race.

Getting there

• Take the Linimo line.
• Get off at Ai-Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station.

Address

愛知県長久手市茨ケ廻間乙1533-1 Map

Official site

www.aichi-koen.com

Read more about Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park

A peace park on a former naval arsenal, preserving war ruins and history.

What it is

• A peace park opened on June 9, 2018.
• Built on the former site of the Toyokawa Naval Arsenal.
• The arsenal manufactured firearms and ammunition.
• It is the third municipal peace park on war ruins in Japan.

What to see

• Toyokawa City Peace Exchange Hall exhibits arsenal and war history.
• Old First Powder Magazine is a designated historic site.
• Old Third Fuse Storage is a designated historic site.
• These two war relics are open for viewing by appointment.

Address

愛知県豊川市穂ノ原三丁目13－2 Map

Official site

www.city.toyokawa.lg.jp

Read more about Toyokawa Naval Arsenal Peace Park

Kuragaike Park offers a zoo, botanical garden, and Toyota history, all set around a scenic pond.

What it is

• A park in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Opened on April 1, 1965.
• Includes an irrigation pond and a hill.

What to see

• Approximately 1,500 cherry trees.
• A zoo with 36 species and 188 animals.
• A botanical garden and an English garden.
• Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall.
• A preserved Mo 800 series train.
• Boat rentals on Kuragaike Pond.

Getting there

• Directly accessible from Tokai-Kanjo Expressway's Kuragaike Parking Area.

Address

愛知県豊田市矢並町法沢714-5 Map

Official site

kuragaikepark.com

Read more about Kuragaike Park