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Overview of Nishi Park
Nishi Park is located almost in the center of Fukuoka City and used to be called “Aratsuyama.” Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Fukuoka City, Hakata Bay, and Shikanoshima Island from a hilly region with a total area of roughly 170,000 square meters jutting into Hakata Bay. This park was established in 1881, making use of the natural hills, views, and valleys. Afterwards, it was made into a scenic park by planting cherry trees, azaleas, and other plants in additional to the natural forests including pine, beech, and evergreen oak.
Roughly 1,300 cherry trees bloom during the spring; they have been chosen as one of the Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. In the autumn there is colorful foliage including maple and gingko. This park is a place of relaxation for the residents of Fukuoka Prefecture, featuring pleasant walking paths that will make you forget you are in the heart of the city.
Nature at Nishi Park
This park has been protected as a scenic location since the Edo Period, and vegetation from that time still remains. In the unique evergreen forest along the seashore, there are many pine trees near the ocean and summit. In the inland area, visitors can see large trees including beech, evergreen oak, and camphor. In particular, the large beech trees have impressive, mesh-patterned bark on their trunks.
Map
The paved paths in the park are one-way paths. There are parking areas inside the park, but the number of spaces is limited and parking is limited to people visiting the park. No fires are permitted in the park during cherry-blossom viewing or other times.
Terumo Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to Kuroda Josui (Ryokoinden), the ancestor of the feudal lord of the Fukuoka Domain, and Kuroda Nagamasa (Kouninden), the first lord of the Fukuoka Domain. There was originally a building honoring Josui and Nagamasa (under their posthumous names of “Suikyo Gongen” and “Seisho Gongen”) in the inner citadel of Fukuoka Castle. It was relocated outside of the castle due to the abolition of the domain system, and moved to its current location as Terumo Shrine in 1909. There used to be a shrine named “Aratsuyama Toshogu” that was established by Kuroda Tadayuki, the second feudal lord. It was closed in the anti-Buddhist movement of the Meiji Period.
Bugakukan
The Bugakukan can be reserved for private cultural events and meetings.
Monuments that allow you to experience Fukuoka’s history
There are precious historical monuments throughout Nishi Park, including a statue of Hirano Jiro Kuniomi, a patriot from the Bakumatsu period; a monument commemorating the construction of Aratsu Park in 1909; and a monument to Kato Shisho, who held the position of churo and leader of the Chikuzenkinno Faction in the Fukuoka Domain in the Bakumatsu period. In this way, visitors can get a keen sense of history while strolling about.
Access
- ■Nishitetsu Bus
- Five-minute walk from the Kuromon bus stop, five-minute walk from the Ohori Park bus stop
- ■Fukuoka Open Top Bus
(double-decker, open bus for sightseeing in Fukuoka City) - Five-minute walk from the Ohori Koen-mae bus stop
- ■Fukuoka City Subway Kuko Line
- Seven-minute walk from Ohorikoen Station or Tojinmachi Station
- ■By car
- On the Fukuoka Urban Expressway Route 1, get off at the Nishi Koen ramp. Turn left at the Fukuhama Danchi Iriguchi intersection and then turn left at the Kuromonbashi intersection. Ohori Park is on the right. Approximately seven minutes.
Inquiries/usage application
Ohori/Nishi Park Management Office 1-2 Ohorikoen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City