Matsubushi Midori no Oka Park まつぶし緑の丘公園

Wide and varied spaces in a Saitama park

Bordering the Edo River in Saitama is Matsubushi Town, a small community with a mixed landscape of residential areas, farms, and light industry. In the center of the town is Matsubushi Midori no Oka Park, currently 15.3 hectares but scheduled to spread to 25 hectares. You can't miss it as it has a hill, oka, indicated in the name. There is a lookout at the top from which you can see the Edo River and Mt. Fuji in the distance. The park consists of three areas: the Plaza Zone with lawns, the Satoyama Zone gradually being augmented with soil from public works, and the Waterside Zone with reed beds and dragonfly ponds. It's got a dog run, playground, and Sunday direct sales of produce, too. It's accessible by car with 135 free parking spots.