Kanagawa, Japan Nov. 04 Mon 1:46PM
(Cover photo by Yokohama Visitors Guide)
Yamashita Park
"Yamashita Park" is the most famous park in Yokohama, which was created by reclaiming the sea using debris from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 as a reconstruction project and opened in 1930. While feeling the sea breeze, visitors can enjoy the urban landscape, Yokohama Bay Bridge, and the view of ships coming and going in the harbor. The park is adorned with numerous monuments, including the "Guardian Deity of Water" statue presented by the city of San Diego in the United States, the familiar statue of the "Girl with Red Shoes" from a children's song, and a monument to the song of the seagull sailor. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, but spring is especially captivating with approximately 160 species and 1,900 bushes of roses, which are the symbolic flowers of Yokohama. The rose tunnel and flower beds are a sight to behold. Around 30 Somei Yoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees reach their peak bloom from late March to early April, proudly blooming with the backdrop of the NYK Hikawamaru and Yokohama Marine Tower, creating a beautiful landscape and a fusion of flowers and the harbor atmosphere.
Yamashita Park
Location: 279 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023
Hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Honmoku Sancho Park
"Honmoku Sancho Park" is located at the top of a gentle hill, offering views of Yokohama Landmark Tower and Yokohama Port, and on clear days, distant views of the Boso Peninsula, Mount Fuji, and the Tanzawa Mountain Range. The natural scenery unique to Yokohama's hilly terrain, with its varying slopes, is a perfect backdrop for picturesque photos. Until March 1982, it was the U.S. military's Yokohama Beach Dependent Housing Area, but the site was developed into a park by the Yokohama City government and opened in 1998. In spring, numerous locally born Yokohama Hiyozakura cherry trees bloom, showcasing vibrant pink colors. The approximately 22-hectare (about 54 acres) park also features Somei Yoshino cherry trees, Kawazu cherry trees, Kanhizakura cherry trees, and weeping cherry trees, allowing visitors to enjoy cherry blossoms for an extended period as the flowering times differ. After the cherry blossoms in Washington, the symbol of U.S.-Japan friendship, had returned to Japan, Sidmore cherries, which were grafted and nurtured, were also planted here.
Honmoku Sancho Park
Location: 1-5 Wadayama, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0805
Hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Motomachi Park
"Motomachi Park" is a green park located on Yamate Hon-dori Street within the former foreign settlement area, accessible within a 10-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station. It opened in 1930 on the site of the "Gerard Water Mansion," which utilized spring water from the valley. The park is adorned with approximately 80 cherry trees.
Near the Ehrisman House in the park, Somei Yoshino cherry trees spread their branches and bloom splendidly, creating a unique and picturesque hanami (flower viewing) spot around the retro public telephone near the Yamate 234 building. Across the street, the white Yokohama Yamate St. Andrew's Church provides an excellent photo spot where fully bloomed cherry blossoms and the church come together in a single picture, showcasing a beautiful harmony of Western and Japanese elements.
Motomachi Park
Location: 1-77-4 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0861
Hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Yokohama Park
※Photo credit:Yokohama Visitors Guide
"Yokohama Park" is the second oldest park in Yokohama, following Yamate Park. Within the park, you'll find Yokohama Stadium, the home stadium of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team. It is known for its original variety of cherry trees called "Yokohama Hizakura" with its vibrant scarlet red color, as well as tulips. Especially the tulips, with approximately 70 varieties and 120,000 bulbs planted, are in full bloom from late March to late April (the timing may vary depending on the temperature changes).
From the park, you can take a stroll through Japan Avenue, which stretches straight to the sea, and head to Yamashita Park. The tree-lined avenue, starting with cherry blossoms and featuring tulips, roses, lilies, and various other flowers, is in full bloom until early June. The attraction lies in being able to enjoy seasonal flowers along with historical buildings.
Yokohama Park
Location: Yokohama Park, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0022
Hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free