Fugan Ungekan Suikoen

Fugan Canal Kansui Park is an urban park located in the center of Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, about a 9-minute walk from the north exit of Toyama Station. Known as a beautiful waterside space rich in water and greenery that surrounds the Fugan Canal, it is one of the representative tourist attractions of Toyama City. From the park, visitors can take in views of the magnificent Tateyama Mountain Range, enjoying an open and appealing landscape that blends seamlessly with the canal, lawns, and surrounding scenery.

The park was developed as a waterside space centered on the boat basin of the Fugan Canal, with construction beginning in 1988. Over time, facilities and landscape design were further improved, and the park was completed in its current form in 2011. Covering an area of about 9.7 hectares, it features spacious lawns, walking paths along the canal, gentle slopes, and other amenities, creating a relaxing space where residents and visitors can enjoy the waterfront at a leisurely pace.

The park’s symbol is Tenmon Bridge, which spans the canal. The bridge is about 58 meters long, and observation towers with elevators are installed at both ends. From the towers, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the beautiful Kansui Park scenery, and on clear days, the Tateyama Mountain Range can also be seen in the distance. Inside the towers, there are exhibits introducing the history of the Fugan Canal and an overview of the park, making it a place where visitors can learn about the region’s history as well.

There are many highlights throughout the park. Along the walking paths around the canal, visitors can enjoy a relaxed stroll while looking out over the water. The Bird Sanctuary, known as a haven for wild birds, is a popular place to observe birds and other creatures living in the waterside environment and to enjoy contact with nature. At the Fountain and Waterfall Plaza on the east side of the park, waterfalls and basins have been installed, creating a space like a curtain of water and symbolizing Toyama’s abundant water resources. The waterfall flows about once every 20 minutes, and it is illuminated at night.

Another popular activity is the Fugan Suijo Line sightseeing boat, which connects the park with the port town of Iwase. The service mainly operates from late March to around November, and visitors can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the canal while taking in Toyama’s scenery and historic facilities such as Nakajima Lock.

The park also has a wide range of dining options. One especially famous spot is Starbucks Coffee Toyama Kansui Park Store, characterized by its large glass windows and open design. This store won the top award given to outstanding Starbucks locations around the world for its design, and is also widely known as “the world’s most beautiful Starbucks.” From its large windows, visitors can enjoy waterside views, and on the terrace they can relax in an open atmosphere that feels in harmony with nature.

Also located in the park is Cuisine Française La Chance, a French restaurant supervised by chef Hiroyuki Sakai, known as the “Iron Chef of French cuisine.” On the first floor, the brasserie offers casual French dishes, while the second-floor dining room serves authentic French courses made with Toyama’s seasonal ingredients. Guests can spend a calm and elegant time while gazing out at the waterside scenery through the large windows.

Fugan Canal Kansui Park also hosts seasonal events throughout the year, drawing many visitors. In spring, the Kids Festa features street performances and festival stalls; in summer, a summer festival centered on fireworks is held; and from autumn to winter, events such as illuminations, Sweet Christmas, and Winter Fantasia take place, allowing visitors to enjoy the charms of each season.

The nighttime illumination is another major attraction of the park. In spring, the park is decorated with cherry blossom-inspired light; in summer, with lights evoking Toyama’s sea; in autumn, with autumn leaves; and in winter, with fantastical aurora-inspired lighting, creating a romantic atmosphere different from that of the daytime. The beauty of the light reflected on the water is especially captivating, and many people visit to enjoy the night scenery.

The Fugan Canal itself also has a historical background. Originally, the Jinzū River made a large meander through central Toyama City, which caused flooding. To address this, river straightening work was carried out from 1901 to 1903, and the canal was built by making use of the abandoned river channel created at that time. Stretching about 5 kilometers from Higashi-Iwase Port to the area north of Toyama Station, the canal supported the development of transportation and logistics. Although its role later changed as transportation methods evolved, it was reevaluated from the 1980s onward as a valuable urban waterside space and was developed into the present park and promenade.

Today, Fugan Canal Kansui Park is loved by local residents as a place of relaxation, where many people can be seen enjoying themselves on the lawns, walking their dogs, running, or taking a stroll. It is also known as the finish line of the Toyama Marathon, making it a place visited by many runners as well.

In this way, Fugan Canal Kansui Park is a charming urban park that makes the most of natural beauty and the history of the canal. Visitors can enjoy its rich greenery and sparkling waterside scenery while strolling, dining, attending events, or going on a cruise, making it a place that offers comfort and inspiration to all who visit, day or night.