Yamashita Park

Overview

Yamashita Park is a seaside park located in Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, overlooking Yokohama Port. As a post-Great Kanto Earthquake (1923) reconstruction project, Toru Naraoka, then Yokohama's assistant mayor, proposed reclaiming the sea using city debris. The park opened on March 15, 1930. At the time, Yokohama had the smallest park area per capita among Japan's six largest cities, and pre-earthquake park plans were reportedly adapted for this project. Initially, the current sunken garden area was a mooring place, a vestige of which can be seen in a small bridge near the Hikawa Maru. For 40 years after its opening, plans to reclaim the sea in front of the park for a pier were proposed but never realized. Later, the Yamashita Pier was constructed on adjacent land to the east. Currently, a tunnel-style coastal trunk road is planned beneath the sea in front of the park. Yamashita Park is a beloved spot for leisurely strolls while enjoying the beautiful views of Yokohama Port. The sunken garden's roses are especially stunning in spring. The park also features monuments associated with popular children's songs and poems, such as the "Girl in Red Shoes" statue and the "The Sailor with the Seagull" song monument. Exploring the historical buildings and monuments allows visitors to experience Yokohama's history, a key attraction of Yamashita Park. It's also easily combined with visits to nearby attractions like the Yokohama Marine Tower and Hikawa Maru, making it a must-see destination for any Yokohama sightseeing itinerary.