みずほの自然の森公園

Overview

Mizuho no Shizen no Mori Park is a green urban park in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, spreading across the districts of Nishioosakabe-machi and Hiratsuka-machi. Created on the former grounds of a national urban greening fair and opened in 2007, it makes the most of the existing lowland woodland. With broad lawns blending into groves of natural trees, it serves both as a weekend playground for families and as a venue for community events. Rather than a headline sightseeing spot, it offers a taste of an everyday neighborhood park woven into Utsunomiya life.

Highlights

• ●Spacious grounds repurposed from a national urban greening fair site
• ●Groves of natural trees preserved from the original lowland woodland
• ●Open lawns where families can spread out and unwind
• ●A versatile space also used for various community events

History

The site was first proposed as a relocation candidate for the Utsunomiya keirin (cycle-racing) velodrome, and there were plans to build a sports park centered on the track. Financial difficulties, however, led to the relocation being frozen and cancelled, prompting a change of course. The area was instead developed as a park that preserved as much of the existing woodland as possible. It later hosted a national urban greening fair, and the redeveloped grounds officially opened as a park on April 1, 2007.

Map

36.4910, 139.9214 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Spread a mat on the lawn and enjoy a relaxed picnic
2. 2Take a slow walk along the paths between the wooded groves
3. 3Breathe in the fresh air while admiring the seasonal trees and plants
4. 4On event days, drop by to sample the local community atmosphere

Did you know?

💡 The park carries the unusual backstory of being a place that was almost a velodrome; ironically, the change of plans meant the lowland forest was left intact, which is exactly what gives the park its relaxed atmosphere today.

Nearby spots