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[Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture] Kaiseiyama Park has been renovated! Recommended for walking and lunch

Kaiseiyama Park in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, has been a popular place of relaxation for local residents since the Meiji era. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most famous park in Koriyama City. Kaiseiyama Park will undergo a major renovation in 2024! The newly renovated park has been unveiled, with the addition of commercial facilities and beautifully maintained facilities

We will introduce the new features of the improved Kaiseiyama Park

What is Kaiseiyama Park?

is closely related to Kaiseiyama Daijingu Shrine , which stands across the street

After the Meiji Restoration, the government spearheaded a reclamation project that opened up the land of Koriyama and built the Asaka Canal. Kaiseiyama Daijingu Shrine was created from a branch of the Ise Grand Shrine to serve as a spiritual anchor for the pioneers as they took on this steady and seemingly endless project. Kaiseiyama Park was then established with the surrounding area, centered around Kaiseiyama Daijingu Shrine, as a place of relaxation

The most prominent symbol of Kaiseiyama Park is undoubtedly Lake Isuzu . Although the name includes the word "lake," it was originally an irrigation reservoir. The name is said to have come from the Isuzu River, which flows in front of Ise Grand Shrine. Lake Isuzu stretches across almost the center of Kaiseiyama Park, separating the eastern area, which is the main park, from the western area, which is home to a baseball field, athletics stadium, swimming pool, and more. In spring, the cherry blossoms in the park bloom beautifully, making it one of the prefecture's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

Although it no longer exists, in 1904 a racecourse was established surrounding Lake Isuzu. It appears that the purpose was to encourage horses in Fukushima Prefecture. Horse racing was very popular, but during the Showa era it gradually declined and was abolished in 1956. The former racecourse course, which ran along the shore of Lake Isuzu, is now a promenade. As you stroll along the course, you might think, "Come to think of it, the curves somehow remind me of a racecourse course..."

Information (Kaiseiyama Park)

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Kaiseiyama Park Renewal Aims for "Public-Private Partnership"

The reason for the renewal of the historic Kaiseiyama Park is the " Public Introduction and Management System (Park-PFI)" and " Designated Manager System " initiated by Koriyama City. The aim is to reduce the financial burden on Koriyama City, which manages the park, and to make the park more attractive and convenient.

Under the public tender system, private businesses selected through public tenders are responsible for the design of parks, on the condition that they contribute any profits back to the park's development. Because they can install revenue-generating facilities such as restaurants and shops, it is hoped that parks will be created that are in line with the private sector's perspective, something that would be difficult for the government to achieve alone

Renewal Point 1: New spots for enjoying gourmet food and shopping

What many people are interested in about this renovation is that restaurants and other tenants have moved in. The tenant spaces are divided into Building A and Building B, and as of November 1, 2024, four tenants were scheduled to open

Because it's located inside a park, the tenants are all things you'll want to stop by on your walk. For families with children, adults can take turns looking after the kids while enjoying a haircut or a refreshing break

Restaurants also offer takeout. You can choose to relax inside the restaurant or enjoy gourmet food at your favorite spot in the park. You can choose how you want to enjoy your time

We also recommend the terrace seating at FLATWHITE COFFEE FACTORY Lakeside in the park. You can watch the waves of Lake Isuzu rippling in the wind and the trees on the opposite shore changing with the seasons. The shop offers coffee that lets you experience the quality of the beans, as well as a wide variety of stylish and delicious food, including muffins, eggs Benedict, and deli lunches! Relaxing by the pond sipping coffee will allow you to enjoy a special time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life

There are still vacant tenants, so there is a possibility that a new store will open! Don't miss out on future developments

Information (FLATWHITE COFFEE FACTORY Lakeside in the park)

  • Address: Kaiseiyama Park, 1-5 Kaisei, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, 963-8851
  • Business hours: Weekdays: 8:00-19:00, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 7:30-19:00
  • TEL: 024-983-5760
  • URL: https://flatwhite.jp/

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Renewal Point 2: The parking lot, lawn area, and sidewalks have been improved

With this renovation, Kaiseiyama Park's facilities have been improved, making it much more convenient. First of all, the parking lot. A gate has been set up at the parking lot, and parking is free for up to two hours. Compared to before the renovation, the parking lot has better visibility and feels more spacious. The largest parking lot on the west side is very close to the lawn area with tenant stores, so even if you come just for lunch or shopping, you won't feel stressed

Heading north from the west parking lot, a large grassy area appears. It's an area with a great sense of openness, with views stretching into the distance. Many people were seen enjoying themselves, walking their dogs or playing ball. The large roof in the foreground seems to provide protection from sunlight and light rain

Another key point of the renovation is the improvement of the sidewalks within the park. There were sidewalks before, but they were gravel in places. The new paths are much easier to walk on. Not only is jogging and walking more comfortable, but strollers and wheelchairs will also feel more comfortable

It's also easy to get to Kaiseiyama Park's popular spot, Lucky Park!

Renewal Point 3: A new area where you can enjoy BBQ

Kaiseiyama BBQ GARDEN which has appeared in Kaiseiyama Park , is a restaurant where you can enjoy a BBQ without having to bring anything with you. If you were to have a BBQ at home or a campsite, you would need to prepare the ingredients, charcoal, and clean up afterwards. However, at Kaiseiyama BBQ GARDEN, all you need to do is make a reservation and show up with just your body! As it is located inside the park, you can enjoy eating and drinking without any worries, even if you bring your pet.

As of November 2024, there are four BBQ main courses available, ranging from simple pork and chicken courses to luxurious Wagyu beef courses. Each course can be paired with an all-you-can-drink alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink. Kids' courses and a la carte menus are also available

There's plenty of space between each tent, so you can enjoy a relaxed BBQ. There are two areas that can accommodate 36 people, and one area that can accommodate 90 people, and they can be rented out for private use by groups. It's a very convenient and open space, which is only possible in a park, so it seems like it would be great to enjoy a BBQ

Information (Kaiseiyama BBQ Garden)

  • Address: 〒963-8851 1-5 Kaisei, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Trailer house on the north side of Lake Isuzu, Kaiseiyama Park
  • Business hours: Weekdays 1st session: 11:00-15:00 Weekdays 2nd session: 17:00-21:00 Weekends and holidays: 11:00-21:00
  • TEL: 070-3139-1273
  • URL: https://select-type.com/s/kaiseizanbbqg

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How you spend your time is up to you! Enjoy Kaiseiyama Park

Kaiseiyama Park has watched over the development of Koriyama City since the Meiji era, changing its appearance to meet the needs of the time. With Lake Isuzu at its center, it offers a rich landscape, children's play areas, sports facilities, and more, and has served as a place of relaxation for the city's residents

The background to this renovation is the pioneering initiative of outsourcing the design and operation of the park to the private sector. It's exciting to see the park undergoing rapid change through the free-flowing ideas that only the private sector can offer

It has become a spot full of new attractions, such as a cozy cafe and a BBQ area where you can have fun with friends. Whether you haven't been to Koriyama for a while or are thinking about visiting the city, why not spend some quality time at Kaiseiyama Park?

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