Shimizu Park

Shimizu Park is a vast natural park located in Noda City, Chiba Prefecture. It originated in 1894, when Mogi Hakuemon, the fifth head of Noda Shoyu—the predecessor of Kikkoman—landscaped and opened to the public a portion of Jikozan Konjoin Temple grounds that he had leased. After several expansions, the park now covers approximately 280,000 square meters. With the catchphrase “Be friends with nature,” the park is designed to emphasize close contact with nature and is beloved by people of all ages, from children to adults.

Shimizu Park is also nationally known as a famous destination for seasonal flowers throughout the year. In spring, around 2,000 cherry trees of about 50 varieties, selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots,” beautifully color the park and its surrounding roads. Centered on Somei Yoshino cherries, the park also features old trees over 100 years old and weeping cherry blossoms. During the blooming season, the Shimizu Park Cherry Blossom Festival is held, and nighttime illumination creates a magical atmosphere.

Following the cherry blossoms, azaleas come into full bloom. In May, when fresh greenery fills the park, about 20,000 azalea shrubs of roughly 100 varieties bloom all at once, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of species such as Kirishima azaleas, Oyamatsutsuji, Kurume azaleas, and Hirado azaleas. In the azalea garden around the field athletic area, visitors can also enjoy an azalea tunnel surrounded by flowers.

In addition, the entire park is planted with about 500 species of plants, and Flower Fantasia features about 700 species. Plum blossoms, peonies, wisteria, roses, nemophila, cosmos, and autumn foliage color the park throughout the year. At the wisteria trellis by the pond, pale purple flower clusters reflected on the water create a graceful landscape that soothes visitors from spring to early summer. In autumn, about 800 maple, ginkgo, and zelkova trees change color, and the Niomon Gate Plaza, the area around the boating pond, and the vicinity of Jikozan Konjoin are especially popular spots for autumn leaves.

The park offers a variety of paid facilities that make use of its natural terrain and forests. Among them, the field athletic course—said to be one of the largest in Japan—consists of three courses: the Challenge Course, the Adventure Course, and the Water Course, with an impressive total of 100 points. The water athletic area built over a pond includes highly challenging sections where visitors cross over water about 130 centimeters deep using rafts and ropes, offering both thrill and a sense of achievement. Another attraction is that it can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults, depending on their fitness and age.

As a water-themed facility, “Aqua Venture” combines giant play equipment, fountains, and a maze. It features a fountain maze that blocks the way, mechanisms that suddenly shower visitors with large amounts of water, and a large three-dimensional maze. In summer, it becomes especially lively with many children. Safe play equipment for toddlers is also available, so even small children can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.

At the pony ranch, visitors can interact with ponies as well as thoroughbreds, goats, rabbits, and other animals, offering a chance to foster familiarity with living creatures in a natural setting. At the trout fishing area, more than 2,000 rainbow trout are kept stocked at all times, making it easy for beginners to enjoy fishing. The fish you catch can be grilled with salt on the spot or enjoyed as ingredients for a barbecue.

Outdoor facilities are also well developed. The camping and barbecue area accommodates a wide range of uses, from day trips to overnight stays. Facilities include roofed barbecue areas, a DAY camp area where visitors can enjoy themselves in their own style, bungalows, and auto-camping sites, allowing families and friends to fully enjoy the natural surroundings.

In this way, Shimizu Park is a comprehensive leisure park that brings together rich nature, seasonal flowers, and a wide variety of activity facilities. From flower viewing to outdoor experiences and interactions with animals, it is a representative tourist destination of Noda City, offering new charms every time you visit.