The world's smallest park in the heart of Japan

A park in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, has been officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's smallest park. The park measures just 0.24 square meters - just enough space for a person to sit on a wooden bench placed on a rock.

Japanese miniature park (Photo: Kyodo)

Tucked away in a small corner of a residential area in Nagaizumi town, this tiny park is made up of raised square bricks, lush green bushes next to benches, and two stone tablets – one of which is engraved with the town's symbolic flower.

For more than 30 years, before being officially recognized by Guinness last December, this park has been loved by locals and affectionately called “ the world’s smallest park,” becoming a peaceful resting place, closely connected to community life.

Located just 300 metres from the town hall, the park was built in 1988 on land left over from a road construction project. A former Nagaizumi town official proposed the park, inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, the previous record holder at 0.29 square metres.

With overwhelming support from the community, Nagaizumi decided to pursue the world record in 2023. To cover the costs associated with registering with Guinness, the town raised about 2.5 million yen ($18,000) through local budgets, online fundraising, and private sector donations.

The designation process was not simple: the town had to hire a surveyor to determine the exact size of the park, submit a certificate confirming that the park had been in existence for more than five years, and reclassify the land from a road to a park.

Since receiving the title from Guinness, this “tiny gem” has quickly become an attractive tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over to the small town of Shizuoka.

Mr. Shuji Koyama, representative of the town's construction management department, proudly shared: "We hope this park will become an opportunity to promote our town to more people"./.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cong-vien-nho-nhat-the-gioi-giua-long-nhat-ban-247066.htm