Sayama Inariyama Prefectural park, or Inariyama Park for short, is a park known for its lush green lawns. This article contains general information about the park as well as cherry blossom, barbecue and annual event information. The museum and cafe in the park have their own post here.
Inariyama Park
Inariyama Park was once an American military facility; part of Johnson airport. Nearby Sai no Mori Iruma park and Johnson Town were also part of Johnson airport. After Inariyama park was returned to Japan, it was made a Saitama prefectural park, in 2002. It is located close to the current day Japan Army Self Defence Force Iruma Air Base. The Sayama Municipal Museum and Kome To Cha Cafe are on the south west corner of the park.
Until 2018 they didn’t have much for kids, but they added a small playground suited to toddlers.
Cherry Blossoms
Update 12th 2023: according to the park’s website, there are buds on the Somei Yoshino trees.
The park is lush all year round, but during cherry blossom season it is effervescent with its 300 mature yoshino cherry blossom trees. And its a really popular place for hanami. However, in 2023, the park asking people to refrain from picnicking under the cherry blossoms. There are also some yaezakura, the late blooming type, in the park too.
Cherry Blossom Festival
This year for the first time since the pandemic began, they will have a cherry blossom festival. The festival is scheduled for Saturday April 1st and Sunday April 2nd. However, as they are asking people to refrain from partying in the park, there is a chance they won’t have food trucks this year. As of March 14th 2023, the park still hasn’t released the finer details of the festival, just their intent to have one.
Barbecue Garden
The BBQ area is available from the middle of March to the middle of November. In 2023, it will start from Saturday March 18th. It is in a green area of the park, surrounded by trees. On weekdays you can use the space between 11 am and 3 pm. On weekends they have two different slots. You can either hire the area between 10 am and 1 pm or from 2 pm to 5 pm. It costs 1000 yen per adult and 500 yen for children. Booking form.
Glamorous Hyde Park
Glamorous Hyde Park is an annual event, held in spring, at the Park. Its a type of glamping day camp experience that has become very popular in Japan in recent years. Shinrin Park do a similar one called Forest Villa. But Inariyama Park were first! It is generally available from the end of March until early May. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the event was cancelled indefinitely.
Inariyama Park Information
Address:
1 Chome-23-1 Inariyama, Sayama, Saitama 350-1324
Access:
The park is beside the Inariyama kouen station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line or you can get a bus from the west exit of the Seibu Shinjuku Line Sayama City Station to Inariyama koen.
It is about a 15 minute from the Sayama Interchange of the Ken-o expressway or 20 minutes from the Kawagoe Interchange of the Kanetsu expressway.
Hours: 24 hours, however parking closes at night.
Phone: 04-2955-3228
I lived there 1970 – 1973.
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