When speaking about parks in Fukuoka, the first name you will probably hear is Ōhori. That is no surprise since the Ōhori park is famous for its idyllic atmosphere and strolling paths.
On the other hand, due to its popularity, the park is often crowded with people working out or walking with their pets on weekends. If you are looking for a bit more privacy and a way to escape the busy city of Fukuoka, you should take a walk north from the Ōhori Park subway station to get to its “little brother”, which is called “Nishi Koen” (西公園) or “West Park”.
Nishi Koen, with its small, steep and curvy paths leading to the northeast mountain of Fukuoka from where you can see the whole harbor area, is quite a bit smaller than the Ōhori Park to the south, but it has got its own “Ghibli” flair to it. Tall trees with numerous temples and other buildings hidden inside surround the quiet roads that curve around the whole mountain area, formerly known as “Mt. Aratsu”.
In spring, Nishi Koen is one of the best places in Fukuoka to watch cherry blossoms in a quiet and romantic atmosphere. Benches are set up along the roads to relax, to take a breath and to look at the ocean of pink leafs floating by in late March and early April.
If you feel like going for a swim after conquering the top, the Momochi Beach is just a 20-minute walk away from Nishi Koen. You will definitely not regret visiting Nishi Koen.
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