20 Parks in Shizuoka worth your time

This garden park and plant nursery offers iris blooms, historic buildings, and birdwatching in a mountain setting.

What it is

• Garden park and plant nursery with long history.
• Full name means "flower and bird gardens of the Kamo family estate."
• Kamo family in residence for over sixteen generations.

What to see

• Large Japanese iris garden is the main attraction.
• Lotus pond and hydrangea bushes in various colors.
• Ducks and parakeets can often be spotted.
• Hundreds-year-old buildings preserved in original condition.
• New flower varieties being developed in nurseries.

When to go

• Busiest season is May through June for iris bloom.
• Gardens and buildings are open year-round.

Address

静岡県掛川市原里110番地 Map

Official site

kamoltd.co.jp

Read more about Kamoso Kachoen

See rare crocodiles, manatees, and pandas, all thriving in a hot spring-heated tropical garden.

What it is

• A zoological and botanical garden in Higashiizu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Opened on September 20, 1958.
• Uses hot spring heat to breed crocodiles and grow tropical plants.
• Designated a museum under the Museum Law on March 10, 1976.

What to see

• World's largest number of crocodile species, with 17 types.
• Only place in Japan breeding Nishilessar pandas.
• Only place in Japan exhibiting Amazonian manatees.
• About 20 types of bananas.
• About 5000 species of tropical plants.
• Three exhibition facilities: Main Garden Crocodile Garden, Botanical Garden, Branch Garden.

Address

静岡県賀茂郡東伊豆町奈良本１２５３−１０ Map

Official site

bananawani.jp

Read more about Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden

Hamanako Garden Park offers diverse gardens and lake views, with flowers blooming from spring to autumn.

What it is

• 56 hectares of green, open space.
• Created in 2005 after an international flower festival.

What to see

• International Garden with traditional gardens from around the globe.
• Garden of 100 Flowers with shrubs, flowers, and fruit trees.
• Flower Art Gallery cottage and gardens, impressionism-inspired.
• Panoramic views of Lake Hamana.
• 50-meter-high observation tower for lake and flower field views.

When to go

• Spring for brightly colored tulips.
• Summer for delicate water lilies and cooling breezes.
• Autumn for golden Japanese maple leaves.

Read more about Hamanako Garden Park

See capybaras bathing in hot springs and diverse cacti at this unique zoo.

What it is

• Opened in October 1959 as Izu Shaboten Park.
• Renamed Izu Shaboten Zoo on October 22, 2016.
• Features greenhouses with cacti and succulents.
• Houses animals like kangaroos, wild birds, and capybaras.

What to see

• Five greenhouses divided into regional sections.
• Capybaras bathing in hot spring water.
• Squirrel monkeys roaming freely since 1964.
• Peacocks also roam freely.
• Statue of a half-beast, half-bird monster.
• Replicas of ancient American civilization sculptures.

When to go

• Capybara open-air bath tradition started in 1982.

Address

静岡県伊東市富戸１３１７−１３ Map

Official site

izushaboten.com

Read more about Izu Shaboten Zoo

Ōhama Park offers stunning views and a beautiful cherry blossom tunnel, worth an hour for nature lovers.

What it is

• A city park in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Originally the temple grounds of Teiei-ji, founded in 1233.
• Designated as a Type 3 Special Area.
• Part of Omaezaki Enshunada Prefectural Natural Park.

What to see

• Approximately 700 cherry trees form an arch-like tunnel.
• An observation deck provides panoramic views.
• Views of the Pacific Ocean, Southern Alps, and Mount Fuji.
• Mitsuiyama Fort, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, is on site.

When to go

• Cherry blossoms are a major attraction.
• Hydrangeas bloom after the cherry blossoms.

Read more about Ōhama Park

Explore a vast botanical garden with diverse fruit trees and picking experiences.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Also known as Fruit Park.
• Opened on October 1, 1996.
• Managed by Tokinosumika Co., Ltd.

What to see

• 430,000 square meters with 160 species and 4,300 trees.
• Tropical Dome has 80 species and 330 tropical fruit trees.
• Cultivates grapes, oranges, apples, and strawberries.
• A fruit orchard and a fruit museum.
• Offers fruit picking experiences.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Hamamatsu Station.
• 8-minute walk from Fruit Park Station.

Address

静岡県浜松市北区都田町4263番地の1 Map

Read more about Hamamatsu fruit park

The world's first deep-sea themed aquarium, featuring rare coelacanths and unique marine life.

What it is

• Private aquarium in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• World's first aquarium themed around deep-sea creatures.
• Opened in 2011 with 300 species and 3,000 deep-sea fish.
• Only aquarium displaying frozen coelacanth specimens.

What to see

• First floor: deep-sea themed aquarium exhibits.
• Second floor: Coelacanth Museum and museum shop.
• Five coelacanths: two frozen, three taxidermied.
• Taxidermied megamouth shark, displayed since 2020.

Getting there

• Approximately 3km from Numazu Station.

Official site

www.numazu-deepsea.com

Read more about Numazu Deep Sea Aquarium

Yotsuike Park is a large urban sports park with athletic fields and recreational areas.

What it is

• An urban park in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Owned and managed by Hamamatsu City.
• Athletic field completed in April 1981.

What to see

• Class 2 certified athletic field with 400m x 8-lane track.
• Athletic field has seating for 10,000 people.
• Sub-track of 85 meters with 4 lanes.
• Second baseball field, 7,911 square meters.
• Training room, free area, children's area, and Ukimido.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Kami-jima Station.
• On the Enshu Railway Nishikajima Line.

Read more about Yotsuike Park

A large park with 1500 cherry trees, offering blossoms for many months.

What it is

• A park established in 1977.
• Covers about 40,000 square meters.
• Selected as a 'Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spot'.
• Located on the northwest side of Mount Omuro.

What to see

• Approximately 1500 cherry trees.
• Forty different varieties of cherry trees.

When to go

• Cherry blossoms visible from September to May.
• Omuroyama Yamayaki event is in February.
• Izu Kogen Cherry Blossom Festival is in early April.

Getting there

• Take Tokai Bus to 'Sakura no Sato' bus stop.

Official site

itokousya.sun.bindcloud.jp

Read more about Sakura no Sato

Hamamatsu Castle Park offers relaxation, history, and a traditional garden in central Hamamatsu.

What it is

• Verdant oasis in central Hamamatsu.
• Park surrounds Hamamatsu Castle.
• Dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was lord of the castle.

What to see

• Public lawns, a café, and rest areas.
• Castle keep with historical exhibits.
• Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu near main gate.
• Traditional Japanese garden with wooden bridges and ponds.
• Varied selection of flora, including cherry trees.
• Shointei Tea House overlooking the garden.

When to go

• Ideal for picnicking, jogging, and enjoying outdoors.

Address

〒430-0946　静岡県浜松市中央区元城町100-2 Map

Official site

www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp

Read more about Hamamatsu Castle Park

Shirataki Park offers scenic spring water, Fuji lava, and a historic hall, all a short walk from Mishima Station.

What it is

• A park in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Opened on October 15, 1956.
• Named for white waterfall-like spring water.
• Designated a scenic area in 2006.

What to see

• Spring water flowing into the Sakuragawa River.
• Lava from Mount Fuji's eruption.
• Shirataki Kannon-do Hall.
• Monument for the Noh-He-Bushi folk song.

When to go

• Summer for abundant meltwater from Mount Fuji.
• July for the water festival.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Mishima Station.

Read more about Shirataki Park

Explore a former imperial retreat with scenic views and historical significance in Numazu.

What it is

• A park in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Built in 1893 for Emperor Taisho's recuperation.
• Became a memorial park in 1970.
• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• A large park covering 150,000 square meters.
• A pine forest.
• A sandy beach facing Suruga Bay.
• Designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

When to go

• Open year-round.
• Closed only for New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from JR Numazu Station.

Official site

www.numazu-goyotei.com

Read more about Numazu Imperial Villa Memorial Park

Taishō-en is a historic Edo-period garden, rare for its focus on cultivated flowers and plants.

What it is

• A historic garden developed by the Uematsu family.
• Founded in the late Edo period, praised since 1786.
• Focuses on appreciating various flowers and plants.
• Registered as a national monument in 2012.

What to see

• The garden consists of a front garden, an approach, and a back garden.
• See a rare example of a garden cultivating horticultural plants.
• The Uematsu family was known as "flower rich family".

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Hara Station on the Tokaido Main Line.

Official site

harataishouen.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Taishō-en

A citizen-led general park in Kakegawa focused on a century-long project to cultivate a lush communal forest.

What it is

• A general park located in the Mitsumizu district of Kakegawa City.
• The site follows a long-term concept to create a forest over one hundred years.
• Local citizens participate directly in the development through collaborative work.
• The grounds feature a central facility building known as Tamari-na.

What to see

• The Tamari-na building serves as a primary structure within the park grounds.
• Developing forest areas managed and planted through local community efforts.

Official site

22centuryhillpark.jp

Read more about 22nd Century Hill Park

Marine Spa Atami is a municipal pool and hot spring facility with ocean views.

What it is

• A municipal pool and hot spring facility.
• Opened in 2000, replacing an older pool.
• Located on the coast, between Wada River and Sanremo Park.

What to see

• A rooftop pool with ocean views.
• A large public bath with ocean views.
• An 8-meter high, 73-meter long water slide.
• A 25m heated pool, Japan Swimming Federation certified.
• A restaurant named Seagull.

When to go

• Open 10 AM to 7 PM.
• Open until 9 PM on Wednesdays.
• Closed every Thursday.

Official site

www.marinespa.com

Read more about Marine Spa Atami

Asagiri Arena is a large nature park offering stunning views of Mount Fuji.

What it is

• A nature park in Asagiri Plateau.
• Also known as Asagiri Nature Park.
• Located within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
• Managed by Fujinomiya City Promotion Corporation.

What to see

• About 100,000 square meters of park area.
• About 50,000 square meters of lawn area.
• Scenic views overlooking Mount Fuji.
• Selected for "100 Landscapes with Mount Fuji".

When to go

• Host of Asagiri JAM festival.
• Host of Takotako Agare in Mt. Fuji festival.

Read more about Asagiri Arena

Kakegawa Kachoen is an all-weather bird and flower theme park, worth visiting for interactive experiences.

What it is

• A theme park in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Opened on September 20, 2003.
• Features birds interacting with flowers.
• An all-weather theme park.

What to see

• Daily bird shows.
• Indoor and outdoor areas.
• Large 7,000 square meter greenhouse.
• 100 varieties of tropical water lilies.
• Renovated penguin pool.

When to go

• Open year-round.

Getting there

• 9-minute walk from Kakegawa Station South Exit.

Address

静岡県掛川市南西郷1517番地 Map

Official site

k-hana-tori.com

Read more about Kakegawa Kachoen

Hamanako Palpal is a family-friendly amusement park with a Ferris wheel and ropeway.

What it is

• An amusement park in Hamamatsu City.
• Opened in 1959 as Entetsu Kanzanji Amusement Park.
• Renamed Hamanako Palpal after 1997 renovation.
• Operated by a subsidiary of Enshu Railway.

What to see

• Kanzanji Ropeway connects to Mt. Okusa.
• Palstar roller coaster, introduced in 1986.
• Koku, a large Ferris wheel rebuilt in 2008.
• 36 mascot characters by Takashi Yanase.

When to go

• Celebrates its 65th anniversary in July 2024.

Official site

www.pal2.co.jp

Read more about Hamanako Palpal

Shinsui Park offers waterfront views, dining, and boat access between Atami Sun Beach and Atami Port.

What it is

• A park located between Atami Sun Beach and Atami Port.
• Construction began in 1991.
• The first section was completed in March 1997.
• Includes a tourist information center called Wakagaeru Station.

What to see

• Moon Terrace, with a split observation deck.
• Rainbow Deck, used as an event space.
• Nagisa Deck, connecting to Nagisa Small Park.
• Spa Marina Atami.
• Boarding point for the Atami Sightseeing Boat Sanremo.
• Sanremo Cafe, an open cafe.

Read more about Shinsui Park

Fuji Cemetery offers serene landscapes, unique monuments, and is a top cherry blossom viewing spot.

What it is

• A public cemetery opened in July 1965.
• Operated by the Mitsubishi Estate Group.
• Total area of 2.13 million square meters.
• Approximately 70,000 burial plots.

What to see

• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
• Grave of Honda Motor founder Soichiro Honda.
• Monument for South Manchuria Railway personnel.
• Joint grave for 800 literary artists.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed on Wednesdays.

Official site

www.fujireien.or.jp

Read more about Fuji Cemetery