Big cities can be so overwhelming, especially for country dwellers. That’s when it’s time to look for the beautiful green spaces dotted around the city.
In Nagoya, you will find a surprising amount of green, not only small neighborhood parks but also beautifully landscaped gardens and big city parks with stretches of lawn inviting you to have a picnic, a nap, or play ball.
Parks and gardens in Nagoya are worth a visit all year round, enjoy the flowers in spring, a picnic in summer, or the vibrant foliage in autumn.
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Find Out How the Japanese Design Nature by Visiting One of the Gardens in Nagoya
Japanese gardens are famous throughout the world for their serene beauty and thought-through design depicting scenes from nature in a small format. Hills represent mountains, little ponds, lakes and streams the important rivers flowing from one to the other.
Seasonal flowers change the appearance of these gardens in Nagoya throughout the year.
In Nagoya, you can find some amazing examples of the Japanese design sense. No matter when you visit you will find the beauty of nature represented in each of these gardens.
Shirotori Garden
Shirotori Garden is a great example of a Japanese-style landscape garden. The tallest mound at the southwestern corner represents Mount Ontake located in Gifu Prefecture, which is the second-highest volcano in Japan. The stream originating from the mound represents the Kiso River, one of the most important rivers in the region bringing nutrition to its river banks and the agriculture of the region.
In the center of the Garden is a complex of tea rooms designed after the image of a swan (Shirotori) flying down to rest its wings. There is also a little café where you can enjoy refreshments and even a light lunch while looking out over the garden.
Shirotori Garden hold regular tea ceremony events. Find out more here.
Shirotori Garden has many seasonal events such as illumination events in spring and autumn and also tea ceremonies throughout the year.
Shirotori Garden (白鳥庭園)
Entry Fee: Adults 300 yen; Seniors 100 yen; Children under 14 free
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00; closed Mondays
Address: 2-2-5 Atsuta Nishimachi, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-0036
Website | Google Maps
Tokugawa Garden
Tokugawa Garden, or Tokugawaen in Japanese, originally was the retirement villa and adjoining garden of one of the lords of Owari, the rulers of Nagoya during the Tokugawa Period (1603 – 1868). While it is still quite an impressive garden today it is said that it used to be 44 hectares in size with a central lake so big that it could accommodate an 16 oar boat.
Today the central pond is still the centerpiece of Tokugawa Garden, but the waterfalls and streams, and paths leading past the different sceneries of the garden make it feel like a little natural oasis in the concrete jungle.
Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful tea house for some Japanese sweets or have some curry for lunch. The garden also features a fine-dining French restaurant, the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or other special events.
Tokugawa Garden (徳川園)
Entry Fee: 300 yen; Seniors 100 yen; Children under 12 free
Opening Hours: 9:30 – 17:30; closed Mondays
Address: 1001 Tokugawacho, Higashi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 461-0023
Website | Google Maps
Higashiyama Botanical Garden
The Higashiyama Botanical Garden is part of the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a popular place for local families to visit on weekends. The botanical garden is one of the most comprehensive in Asia with more than 7000 species of plants as well as Japan’s oldest glasshouse.
If you can’t make it to Shirakawago, the famous world heritage site, a visit to the Higashiyama Botanical Garden will give you an idea of what thatched roof houses look like. An original Gassho Zukuri house from Shirakawago is located inside the garden.
For a great view over the city climb to the top of Higashiyama Sky Tower, rising 134 meters above the garden. The restaurant at the top serves Italian and French cuisine and it is one of the best spots in Nagoya to enjoy the sunset.
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens (東山動植物園)
Entry Fee: 500 yen; Seniors 100 yen; Children under 12 free
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 16:30; closed Mondays
Address: 3-70 Higashiyama Motomachi, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0804
Website | Google Maps
Hisaya Odori Garden Flarie
Who would have thought there would be an English-style garden in Nagoya, but here it is: Hisaya Odori Garden Flarie, right in the center of the city.
This smallish park is dedicated to orchids but also invites for a picnic with meticulously kept green lawns located around a small pond. A flower shop, as well as a restaurant, are also part of this beautiful park.
Garden Flarie is a great place to visit after some shopping in Sakae or Osu.
While you are in the center of Nagoya, a fun street food tour is the best way to explore the area. Find out more:
Hisaya Odori Garden Flarie (久屋大通庭園フラリエ)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:30
Address: 4-4-1 Osu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Yokiso Villa Garden
The Yokiso villa and adjoining gardens were built at the beginning of the 20th century by one of the richest men in Nagoya, the first president of the Matsuzakaya Company, most famous for the Matsuzakaya Department Store.
Today there are 5 buildings and a garden left but the grounds used to be much more spacious with multiple tea houses and other buildings to entertain guests.
Take a tour of the garden and the villa and learn about the interesting history of this place. Tea is served regularly on Sundays at the garden tea house.
Yokiso Garden (揚輝荘 北庭園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: 9:30 – 16:30; closed Mondays
Address: 2-5-21 Hoocho, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0057
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Nagoya Port Wildflower Garden Bluebonnet
Enjoy an array of different wildflowers as well as a view of Nagoya Port at the Nagoya Port Wildflower Garden Bluebonnet.
It’s the perfect place for a relaxing walk after which the café or restaurant located on-site invites for a sit-down or a small meal.
Nagoya Port Wildflower Garden Bluebonnet (名古屋港 ワイルドフラワーガーデン ブルーボネット)
Entry Fee: Adult 300 yen; Senior 200 yen; Children between 13 and 18 150 yen; Children under 6 free
Opening Hours: Mar – Nov 9:30 – 17:00; Dec 9:30 – 16:00; closed Mondays and from Dec 25 – Feb 28
Address: 42 Shiomicho, Minato Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 455-0028
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Chill in the Sun or Have a Picnic at One of These Great Parks in Nagoya
If you aren’t that much into flowers but are looking for a place to chill on a blanket (or a blue sheet as the Japanese do it) in the sun then you might want to check out one of these public parks in Nagoya.
They are the best places for a picnic with family and friends or to play some outdoor games with your children.
Tsuruma Park
Tsuruma Park has an important place in Nagoya’s history as the first municipal park in the city. The park was heavily influenced by Western park design and is a well-balanced mix of traditional Japanese and Western elements represented in the many structures and overall layout of the park.
It is famous as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan and crowds of people flock there in March to have picnics under the cherry trees. But also during any other time of the year, it is a great place for a picnic on the green lawns.
Tsuruma Park (鶴舞公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 1-1 Tsurumai, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 466-0064
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Meijo Park
Meijo Park, adjoining Nagoya Castle to the north, used to be a swampy area supposed to make it hard for enemies to breach the castle.
It was turned into a beautiful public park with a central pond and streams at the beginning of the 20th century. Today it is a popular place for families to spend some time outside.
How about taking pictures in this park while wearing a traditional Japanese Kimono, or beautiful Yukata in summer? You can find out more about the Kimono Dressing Experience over here.
Meijo Park (名城公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 1-2 Meijo, Kita Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 462-0846
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Aioiyama Ryokuchi Park
This park is a little bit different from the ones introduced up to now. Located around a small hill this park consists of large woods and large areas of bamboo forest as well as some small orchards.
Aioiyama Ryokuchi Park (相生山緑地)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 2005-57 Inada, Tenpakucho Oaza Nonami, Tempaku Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 468-0037
Google Maps
Nagoya Agricultural Center
The Nagoya Agricultural Center is most popular in February during the plum blossom season because of its big plum orchard. But it also has multiple green and glasshouses as well as wide areas of green lawns where you can enjoy the sun and maybe a picnic.
There is also a small bamboo grove on a farm with animals and an organic vegetable shop.
Nagoya City Agricultural Center (名古屋市農業センター)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: Temporary under renovation, scheduled to reopen in September 2023
Address: Kuroishi-2872-3 Tenpakucho Oaza Hirabari, Tempaku Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 468-0021
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Chayagasaka Park
Chayagasaka Park is the perfect place for a ball game with your children, a picnic, or for enjoying a long walk in the forested area around the pond.
Multiple playgrounds invite you to have fun.
The best season to visit Chayagasaka Park is in June when the hydrangeas are in blossom in different areas around the park.
Chayagasaka Park (茶屋ケ坂公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: Shirutani Nabeyauenocho, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 464-0000
Google Maps
Nakamura Park
Nakamura Park is a small park surrounding Toyokuni Shrine where one of the great warlords of Japan Toyotomi Hideyoshi is enshrined.
The park contains a lake and multiple statues of Toyotomi Hideyoshi as well as a museum about him.
Close to the park is a big red Japanese Torii gate also worth a short visit.
Nakamura Park (中村公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: Takahata-68 Nakamuracho, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0053
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Hisaya Odori Park
A green complex in the center of the city which opened up again in autumn 2020 after renovation has been turned into a bustling yet also relaxing park.
Some of the areas of Hisaya Odori Park are designated shopping areas lined with brand shops, stylish cafes, and a wide variety of restaurants. Other parts are grassy fields decorated with flowers, fountains, and even monuments of Nagoya’s sister cities. It is here where you can enjoy recreational activities like picnics.
Throughout the year, the park becomes a venue for local events and festivals. For example, the Nagoya Festival which is one of the greatest autumn festivals in Nagoya.
Near the TV tower, located in the middle of the park, you will find the Sakae station from where you can join a local food specialties tour ↴
Hisaya Odori Park (久屋大通公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 3 Chome-ほか Marunouchi, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0002, Japan
Website | Google Maps
Shonai Ryokuchi Park
This is one of the largest parks in Nagoya and thus has a lot to offer. You can relax on one of its many green fields or stroll around while admiring a generous variety of flowers, including roses and Japanese irises, both outside as well as inside the greenhouse. On sunny days you can enjoy a picnic or even BBQ in the designated areas. Children can enjoy the playground as well as the large water fountain, and dogs can happily spend some time at the dog run.
On weekends and holidays, you can rent a bicycle (1 hour for free!) or a pedal boat to explore the park. Other facilities in this park include sports fields, tennis courts, a skate park, and a gate ball (a team sport that originated in Japan, inspired by croquet) area. Some of the facilities may be closed in winter and the opening hours of each facility vary.
Shonai Ryokuchi Park (庄内緑地公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 3527 Yamadacho Oaza Kamiotai, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 452-0818
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Totally worth the Trip Parks and Gardens around Nagoya
If you don’t mind taking the train outside of Nagoya’s city limits, there are a couple of parks and gardens you might want to check out in the surroundings of Aichi Prefecture.
These are places that often go unnoticed by foreign tourists, but based on our experience, perhaps more people should consider visiting them.
Okazaki Park
Okazaki Park surrounding Okazaki Castle is a popular cherry blossom spot but worth a visit all year round because of its natural beauty.
During a visit don’t forget to check out the inside of the castle as well as the adjoining museums, the oldest Noh Theater of Japan, and multiple shrines and temples.
Okazaki Park (岡崎公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 5611 Koseicho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-0052
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Sakurabuchi Park
Sakurabuchi Park is especially famed for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring. It is often referred to as ‘Mikawa’s Arashiyama’ after the famous Arashiyama area in Kyoto also famous for beautiful cherry blossoms.
The park is a great place to visit with children as a place to play and relax or even for kayaking on the river during the warmer months.
Sakurabuchi Park (桜淵公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: Yanaida Niwano, Shinshiro, Aichi 441-1331
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Iwayado Park
Iwayado Park is part of the much larger Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park and is a park of exceptional natural beauty. With unusually shaped rocks and small waterfalls and the gorgeous valley created by the flow of the Torihara River.
Enjoy each season here by taking a walk or having a barbecue at one of the barbecue sites. The river also invites to splash around in the hot summer months.
This park is located on the outskirts of Seto which is known to be the home of Japanese pottery and ceramics. Read more about this city, its history, and what it has to offer here.
Iwayado Park (岩屋堂公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: Iwayacho, Seto, Aichi 480-1215
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Kiso Sansen Park Center
Every season at Kiso Sansen Park Center sees beautiful flowers planted in the many flower beds along the Kiso River.
Don’t miss the water and mist show at the Basin Pond every 30 minutes and just enjoy the time here playing with your family on the wide green spaces or the playgrounds.
The Kiso Sansen Park Center is part of the much larger Kiso Sansen Park which has 13 separate areas.
Kiso Sansen Park Center (木曽三川公園センター)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 depending on event schedule; closed every second Monday of the month
Address: 255-3 Kaizucho Aburajima, Kaizu, Gifu 503-0625
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park)
Moricoro Park hosted the World EXPO in 2005. The park itself is gigantic and features a diverse array of attractions and experiences for visitors to enjoy. With the recent addition of the highly anticipated Ghibli park, guests can now delve into the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli’s renowned films.
Beyond Ghibli Park, Moricoro Park captivates visitors with its expansive green spaces, beautiful gardens, and serene walking paths. The park also features various recreational facilities, including sports fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds, making it an ideal destination for families and nature enthusiasts alike. Moreover, Moricoro Park hosts cultural events, exhibitions, and seasonal festivals throughout the year, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to discover within its picturesque surroundings.
Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park (Moricoro Park) (愛・地球博記念公園(モリコロパーク))
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: Apr – Oct 8:00 – 19:00; Nov – Mar 8:00 – 18:30; closed Tuesdays
Address: 1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1342
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Shurakuen Park
The park best known for its gigantic bronze Buddha statue features green lawns, playgrounds for children, and even facilities including training rooms, indoor pools, and baths.
Have a cup of tea at the Omeian tea house while enjoying the traditional Japanese garden surrounding the building.
Shurakuen Park (聚楽園公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: Nishihazama Araomachi, Tokai, Aichi 476-0003
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Obara Fureai Park
Obara Fureai Park is the perfect place to visit if you are in Japan in autumn but want to experience cherry blossoms. At this park, thousands of Shikizakura trees bloom twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn.
It is a beautiful park with many trees worth a visit during all times of the year for a stroll and enjoying the beauty of the Japanese outdoors.
For more information on the park as well as what else its surroundings can offer you, such as making Washi Paper and visiting several museums, have a look here.
Obara Fureai Park (小原ふれあい公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: open 24 hours
Address: 456 Obaracho, Toyota, Aichi 470-0531
Website | Google Maps
Jozanen Garden
Jozanen Garden used to be the private residence of Ishikawa Jozan, a notable Samurai. You can enjoy 3 different styles of Japanese gardens here all modeled after the famous Shisendo in Kyoto.
A tea house is the central piece of the garden, a tranquil place to enjoy a cup of tea in a calming atmosphere.
Jozanen Garden (丈山苑)
Entry Fee: Adults 100 yen; Children under 13 free
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00; closed Mondays
Address: Nakahongo-180-1 Izumicho, Anjo, Aichi 444-1221
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
Akatsukayama Park
This comprehensive park doesn’t only feature wide patches of green to relax and enjoy the outdoors but also a petting zoo and a freshwater aquarium.
In the summertime, the wading pool is especially popular with children to play in and if you are interested in flowers, come by in June when about 5000 irises are in bloom in the iris garden.
Akatsukayama Park (赤塚山公園)
Entry Fee: free
Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00; closed Tuesdays
Address: Higashitsutsumiue-1-30 Ichidacho, Toyokawa, Aichi 442-0862
Website (Japanese only) | Google Maps
This post has last been updated in June 2024.
Although we strive to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, please note that changes may occur nonetheless. Therefore, we recommend you confirm any relevant information such as event cancelations or changes, opening hours, or possible restrictions using a direct source. Please keep in mind that these sources might be in Japanese only.
Great parks guide! Thanks for sharing so useful information!
We are so happy you found it useful!
Thanksful for this Website… God bless!
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