A huge number of different parks are found in Japan and are an important part of the country's culture. There are basically two types of parks – specialised flower parks and public parks. Entrance to flower parks usually require a fee and can depend on the season. The more flowers visible, the higher the price, especially if there is a related festival. Public parks are free.
Japanese parks captivate me with their beauty, abundance of plants and the obvious love the Japanese have for nature. Many of the parks I visited, like Hamamatsu Flower Park and Hitachi Seaside Park, covered a large area. These parks offer electric locomotive tours - very convenient for visitors with children or the elderly but at an additional cost. I, however, prefer to walk.
Parks in Japan are kept in perfect order - there is no garbage anywhere, despite the fact that there are no bins! The Japanese take their garbage with them, sorting and disposing of it appropriately. There are many comfortable benches in parks where you can enjoy beautiful views. In good weather, especially on weekends, there are a lot of people visiting but this rarely causes any inconvenience. Many people picnic under the trees, especially in the warmer seasons. You'll often see photographers and artists too.
Flower parks in late April and early may are real paradise gardens with hundreds of species of flowering plants. These are must sees! I was especially struck by the Ashikaga Flower Park, the huge blue fields of Hitachi Seaside Park and expansive pink flower beds of Hitsujiyama Park. Walking along their paths, I was always amazed – how they were created? These are not wildflowers and do not grow themselves... Parks are created by people!
Besides plants – trees, shrubs, and flowers – parks often have ponds or fountains. Various animals can be seen there: Mandarin ducks and baby ducks, swans, carp and water turtles. You can also see large grey and small white herons, cormorants, loons and gulls and many more. All of them, too, can be seen in the centre of cities like Kyoto, Nara, and yes, even Tokyo!
I like to walk in parks even on rainy days, despite the fact that I can't sit on the grass or bench. A deserted park has its own charm. I also like parks at dusk – during festivals, stalls with treats are brightly lit. On weekdays, joggers and dog walkers appear. On fine days, I like watching the people around me - people seem to relax and do not seem so stressed or busy. They smile, talk, play with their children, eat bento lunch boxes, or, like me, look at the flowers or landscapes around them.
I consider parks to be one of the most significant attractions in Japan, allowing you to feel the spirit of the country.
