Rinko Park is a beautiful waterfront green space located in Minato Mirai 1-chome, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is the largest park in the Minato Mirai district and attracts visitors with its spacious grounds and abundant greenery. The park offers a peaceful place to relax and escape the bustle of the city.
Rinko Park is situated at the eastern edge of the Minato Mirai district, in a prime location overlooking Yokohama Port. Extending behind Pacifico Yokohama, the park combines open green spaces, trees, and waterfront scenery, offering visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature in the heart of the city.
The park is also known as a filming location for television dramas and movies. Its attractive scenery has appeared in a variety of productions.
Rinko Park was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The park was temporarily closed, but part of it reopened on April 28 of the same year.
As part of its emergency preparedness facilities, the park has an earthquake-resistant underground circulating water reservoir with a capacity of approximately 700 tons. Across the entire Minato Mirai district, the water storage system is designed to secure approximately 4,500 tons of water in the event of an emergency.
Rinko Park is also the endpoint of the King Axis, an important pedestrian route within the Minato Mirai district. The pedestrian axis was planned as a straight connection from the Shin-Takashima Station area to the tidal pond area inside the park, providing a convenient and comfortable walking route for visitors.
The park has a spacious lawn where visitors can relax and enjoy the open atmosphere. It once featured a tidal pond into which seawater flowed, allowing visitors to observe the changing water levels with the tides.
As part of redevelopment work in 2022, the pond was filled in and the area was converted into lawn space. A new sandy beach was also created on the site of the former pond, providing opportunities for nature observation and leisurely walks.
A rest house is available inside the park, offering visitors a place to take a break and enjoy light refreshments.
According to the original article, a three-story complex featuring a cafe, restaurant, and running station was scheduled to open in early summer 2025. The planned facility was intended to make the park even more convenient for visitors and people enjoying outdoor activities.
Various artworks and monuments are installed throughout Rinko Park, adding cultural and artistic interest to the waterfront landscape.
Notable works include Fruit Tree by Choi Jeong Hwa and Ode to History and the Future – Rainbow Space ‘95 by Yutaka Toyota. These works reflect aspects of Yokohama’s culture and history while bringing color and visual interest to the park.
Rinko Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Two particularly notable events are the Yokohama Port Opening Festival and the Minato Mirai Smart Festival, both of which feature fireworks displays and attract large crowds.
During summer, the Minato Mirai Grand Bon Odori Festival is held in the area. Local residents and visitors come together to enjoy traditional Japanese summer dancing and the festive atmosphere.
The park has also been used as a venue for Red Bull Crashed Ice Yokohama and as a filming location for movies and television dramas. Its open waterfront setting makes it a popular place for a wide range of activities.
Rinko Park is within walking distance of both Minato Mirai Station and Shin-Takashima Station on the Minato Mirai Line. Its location in the Minato Mirai district also makes it easy to combine a visit with other nearby sightseeing destinations.
Parking facilities are available in the surrounding area, so visitors can also reach the park by car.
With its expansive grounds and beautiful views of Yokohama Port, Rinko Park is a popular place to relax and enjoy the outdoors in the city. The renovated lawn and newly created sandy beach offer fresh ways to experience the waterfront, while the artworks and monuments add a cultural dimension to the landscape.
Whether taking a leisurely walk, enjoying an event, or simply relaxing while looking out over the harbor, visitors can experience a different, more open side of Yokohama at Rinko Park.