Unknown to many tourists who generally head towards more well known locations like Yamashita Park, Negishi Forest Park is something of an oasis hidden in an urban neighborhood setting. Known in Japanese as ‘Negishi Shinrin Koen’, this is one of the largest parks in Yokohama with a surface area covering over 1800 square meters.
Entering through the main entrance you will have several options of things to see. The observation platform may be best as this will help give you a good sense of the area’s geography. On clear days there are impressive views of Yokohama Landmark Tower and Mount Fuji.
Once you have judged the general layout follow the path on your right until you reach the Equine Museum and Pony Centre, which unsurprisingly contains several ponies and horses. This area is great for kids and horse lovers as it is possible to ride either on the third Sunday of most months from 13:30 pm until 14:20 pm. There is limited availability so turn up early!
Upon entering the park’s main section you cannot help but notice how its large oval shape reveals its former status as a race track, originally built over 70 years ago. Within this space of time the area has been transformed into beautiful open fields and forests containing a large plum grove, a nice pond and my personal favorite; numerous walking paths which are ideal for jogging. The paths around the pond and forests are especially pleasant and good for seeing plants, flowers and wildlife. The vast open fields where the track was located provide a great place to have a picnic or relax throughout the year. If planning to spend several hours here, I would definitely recommend bringing your own food as there aren’t any restaurants, food stands or unbelievably, convenience stores within a five minute walk. Spring is a great time to come and admire the 350 plus cherry blossom trees, while summer is an excellent time to visit and escape the city heat. Any season is perfect to escape the city and enjoy the genuine peace and tranquility of the environment.
