Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Park, popularly known as Country Park, is a spacious agricultural and recreational park in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Opened in 1991, it covers approximately 27.9 hectares and offers visitors opportunities to learn about agriculture, enjoy outdoor activities, and experience the changing seasons.
The park is adjacent to Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural College and the Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Research Center. Its facilities include agricultural exhibition spaces, a product shop, lawns, flower gardens, playgrounds, and areas for agricultural experiences. Families are especially well catered for, but the park also appeals to visitors interested in gardening, local food, and rural life.
Events are held throughout the year. Popular seasonal attractions include the spring and autumn Rose Festivals, the summer water-play area, and the winter tree and garden-plant festival. These events offer opportunities to enjoy flowers, learn about plants, and experience the park’s agricultural themes in different seasons.
The park’s rose garden features approximately 550 varieties and 3,400 rose plants, alongside other seasonal flowers. The spring and autumn Rose Festivals are particularly popular, when the garden becomes a colorful display of blooming roses.
Country Tower is the park’s landmark observation tower. It stands 24.5 meters tall, with an observation level approximately 17.5 meters above the ground. From here, visitors can look across the park and, on clear days, enjoy views of Mount Aso and the surrounding landscape.
The park is designed around three complementary ideas: learning, recreation, and a sense of openness. Activities connect everyday experiences such as eating, shopping, touching plants, and playing with a broader understanding of agriculture and food production.
The Agricultural Pavilion introduces agriculture through large-screen presentations, panels, and other displays. Visitors can learn about farming, agricultural history, and cultivation techniques. Agricultural products are also available for purchase.
The greenhouse presents vegetables and other plants associated with Kumamoto’s agricultural characteristics. It provides an opportunity to see how plants are cultivated and to learn about the region’s agricultural resources.
The Knowledge Forest offers books and videos about agriculture and gardening. Gardening advice and cultivation classes are also available, making it a useful resource for visitors who want to learn practical skills.
The event hall is a multipurpose space used for meetings, training sessions, exhibitions, and other gatherings related to agriculture and community activities.
The Memorial Zone is arranged around Country Tower and includes facilities for children and flower lovers.
Wanpaku Plaza is a play area featuring a fortress-style climbing structure and athletic playground equipment. Children can climb, explore, and play in an outdoor setting.
Flower Plaza is home to the park’s rose garden, with approximately 550 varieties and 3,400 rose plants, as well as flowers that change with the seasons. It is one of the park’s main attractions for visitors who enjoy gardens and photography.
The park’s lawn zone consists of three broad open spaces designed for relaxing, playing, and outdoor recreation.
Yūyū Plaza covers approximately 1.4 hectares. Its expansive lawn provides room for picnics, strolling, and informal outdoor activities.
Nobinobi Plaza covers approximately 1.2 hectares and offers an open setting for a range of recreational activities.
Wakuwaku Plaza covers approximately 1.0 hectare. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation here, including activities such as ground golf.
Kunugi Hill is a wooded area surrounded by oak trees. In summer, the shade makes it a pleasant place to rest and enjoy the natural surroundings. Walking paths allow visitors to explore the greenery at a relaxed pace.
Kaze Plaza is a spacious lawn where visitors can relax in the open air. It is suitable for picnics, children’s play, and quiet breaks during a day of sightseeing.
Actual crop fields are maintained within the park, with different crops growing according to the season. Agricultural experience classes provide opportunities to learn about cultivation and, when programs are available, enjoy harvesting crops.
The Memorial Forest contains trees planted by park visitors. As the trees grow, the area serves as a reminder of the connection between people and the natural environment.
A stone oven is available for cooking activities, including baking pizza and other foods. During events, dishes prepared in the oven may be offered as part of the program.
The Fruit Pavilion focuses on fruit grown in Kumamoto Prefecture. Exhibitions and sales introduce local produce, and visitors may have opportunities to sample seasonal fruit.
Country Park combines agricultural education with outdoor recreation. Children can enjoy playground equipment and open lawns, while adults can explore the rose garden, learn about cultivation, or relax beneath the trees. The variety of seasonal events makes the park an appealing destination throughout the year.
From Miyoshi Station on the Kumamoto Electric Railway Kikuchi Line, the park is approximately a 24-minute walk, or about 1.9 kilometers.
From Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, take a Kumamoto Electric Railway bus bound for Kikuchi Onsen or Kikuchi Plaza. Get off at Ōike / Nōgyō Kōen Iriguchi, then walk approximately 11 minutes, or about 850 meters, to the park.
The park is approximately 5.5 kilometers from the Kita-Kumamoto Smart Interchange or about 11 kilometers from the Kumamoto Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. Parking is available.
Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Park offers an accessible way to discover the relationship between agriculture, food, plants, and everyday life. With its rose garden, observation tower, wide lawns, agricultural exhibits, hands-on activities, and year-round events, it is a welcoming destination for families and visitors seeking a relaxed outdoor experience.