Tsuruma Park

What is Tsuruma Park?

Tsuruma Park covers over 24 hectares in central Nagoya. Visitors find wide lawns, tree-lined paths, and a large water fountain tower with Roman marble pillars, which stands as a symbol of the park. There is a European-style gazebo for music performances, a public library, and a greenification center. In spring, the park is filled with blooming cherry trees, attracting many for blossom viewing. Other flowers and trees, such as tulips, camellias, and zelkova, add color through the year.

The history of Tsuruma Park

The park opened in 1909 and soon after hosted the 10th Kansai Area Prefectural Union Joint Exposition in 1910. The fountain tower was designed by Teiji Suzuki, blending Eastern and Western styles, and has become a landmark. The bandstand and other features reflect early 20th-century European tastes. The fountain tower was temporarily removed during subway construction but was restored in 1977 and later designated a Municipal Cultural Property.

What there is to see

The park is planted with a wide range of trees and flowers. Yoshino cherry trees are a highlight in spring, drawing crowds for blossom viewing. Other plantings include tulips, camellias, and seasonal blooms. The park is maintained by the Nagoya City Greenery Association, which also runs a greenification center to promote urban planting. The grounds are accessible by public transport, with Tsurumai Station nearby.

When to go

Tsuruma Park is especially popular during the cherry blossom season in spring, when people gather for hanami (blossom viewing) picnics. It also hosts events like the Nagoya Walkathon. The park is open year-round for walks, outings, and community gatherings. The central library and greenification center provide additional attractions for visitors.

Parts and collections

The park’s main floral attraction is the Yoshino cherry, but it also features a variety of other trees and flowers, such as Japanese andromeda, flowering quince, tulips, and snapdragons. Seasonal plantings ensure that different flowers are in bloom throughout the year, offering changing scenery for repeat visitors.

Why Tsuruma Park matters

Tsuruma Park is a well-known spot in Nagoya for cherry blossom viewing, a major springtime tradition in Japan. The fountain tower is recognized as a Municipal Cultural Property. The park has also gained attention among fans of Pokémon Go, as its fountain resembles a Poké Ball from above, making it a gathering spot for players since 2016.

The flowers of Tsuruma Park

TulipSpring-blooming bulbs with showy, cup-shaped flowers in many coloursRapeseedA yellow-flowered crop grown for its oil-rich seeds and protein mealCamelliaEvergreen shrubs and trees with showy blooms, best known for tea and garden flowersFlowering quinceA spiny shrub grown for its bright spring flowers and hard fruitCamellia reticulataTall pink-flowered camellia from Yunnan, grown for gardens and tea oilCamellia amplexicaulisA pink-flowered camellia tree once found in Vietnam’s forestsWild tulipA wild yellow tulip with a light scent, found from Portugal to western ChinaHong Kong CamelliaA rare camellia tree from Hong Kong with red flowers

Questions people ask about Tsuruma Park

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Tsuruma Park on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data