I decided to take on the challenge, but while planning, I started thinking…
“Aren’t simple topics sometimes the hardest to make interesting?”
First, I asked ChatGPT: “What is the largest pond in Yokohama City?”
1. Mitsuike Park “Naka no Ike” (Middle Pond), Tsurumi Ward – Total area of three ponds approx. 33,000 m²
2. Kodomo Shizen Park “Oike” (Large Pond), Asahi Ward – Approx. 6,600 m²
3. Moegino Park Pond, Aoba Ward – Approx. 6,300 m²
4. Senami Citizens’ Forest “Senami Ike”, Sakae Ward – Approx. 3,600 m²
Mitsuike Park was overwhelmingly in first place, but since the individual pond sizes weren’t listed on the official website, I emailed the Mitsuike Park Management Office. Here are the results↓
At this point, most people would say “So Mitsuike Park has the largest pond! Case closed!”
But that’s not how we operate.
As I mentioned earlier, simple topics can be the most challenging to make engaging.
So the only solution was to find the interesting aspects on location.
And so I set out – to Mitsuike Park!
I’m personally curious about the mascot character “Mitchan” in the top right…
It was a Saturday in September – still sunny but with a cool breeze blowing.
Perhaps it was perfect park weather because the main parking lot was full, so we started our investigation from the north gate parking lot.
A signboard describing the history of Mitsuike Park
According to Mitsuike Park’s official website, it covers an area of 29.7 hectares. Reference:
Signs prohibiting fishing are prominent
The first pond we saw was the “Shita no Ike” (Lower Pond)
Looking closely at the water’s edge, small fish were swimming.
When I spoke with a man nearby, he said “There are fish here, right? I used to fish here when I was a kid.”
“It was prohibited back then too. We’d get warned and run away to another spot,” laughed the man.
“Down this slope was the fishing spot. We used to fish with bread,” said the man
I thought to myself that this man seemed very much like someone from Tsurumi.
Not in a bad way – it gave me a strange sense of comfort.
After all, my hometown is Honmoku. I feel an automatic camaraderie with Tsurumi.
That said, fishing within the park is prohibited.
After thanking the man, we continued our walk.
Finally, we reached the “Naka no Ike” (Middle Pond) – it’s huge!
Found a marker for runners? Finally noticed it at the 400M point.
While gazing at the Middle Pond, I spotted a large fish! As I approached…
There were children with nets… could it be!!
When I asked “What kind of creatures are here?”
Mitsuike Park
Mitsuike Park is a scenic public park located in Yokohama, Japan, known for its three picturesque ponds created from former irrigation reservoirs. Its history dates back to the early 20th century when it was developed as a city park, officially opening in 1931. Today, it is a popular destination for its beautiful seasonal cherry blossoms, traditional Japanese gardens, and peaceful walking trails.
Naka no Ike
Naka no Ike is a scenic pond located within the historic Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Japan. It is one of the garden’s most famous features, created during the Edo period (17th-19th century) by the ruling Maeda clan. The pond is known for its small, picturesque islands and the iconic Kotoji-tōrō, a two-legged stone lantern that stands at its edge.
Kodomo Shizen Park
Kodomo Shizen Park (Children’s Nature Park) is a large, family-friendly park in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward designed to encourage children to explore and interact with nature. Opened in 1979, its concept was to provide an urban oasis with forests, ponds, and streams where children could play freely. The park features various zones for different activities, including a popular water play area, making it a beloved recreational and educational site for decades.
Oike
I am unable to provide a specific summary for “Oike” as it is not a widely recognized major cultural site or place. The term “Oike” could refer to a street, a pond, or a district in a specific city like Kyoto, but without more context, its history and significance are unclear. Please provide additional details for a more accurate description.
Moegino Park
I am unable to find any significant historical or cultural information about a place named “Moegino Park.” It is possible the name may be misspelled or it could be a very small, local park that is not widely documented. For an accurate summary, it would be helpful to confirm the correct name and location.
Senami Citizens’ Forest
I am unable to provide a specific summary for “Senami Citizens’ Forest” as it does not appear to be a widely recognized or documented cultural or historical site. It is likely a local park or community-managed woodland, possibly in Japan given the name. Such forests are often created and maintained by local citizens for recreation and environmental conservation.
Senami Ike
I am unable to find any significant historical or cultural information about a place named “Senami Ike.” It is possible the name may be misspelled, refer to a very localized or lesser-known site, or be a term from a specific context I am not familiar with. If you have more details, such as its location, I would be happy to try another search.
Shita no Ike
I am unable to find any significant cultural, historical, or geographical site named “Shita no Ike” in my knowledge base. This Japanese phrase translates to “the pond below” or “the lower pond,” which is a common descriptive name that could refer to numerous small, local ponds throughout Japan. Without a specific location context, it is not possible to provide a meaningful summary of its history or significance.
