Hello there!
This is Saa-mama, writer for “SaruKuma.”

Today I’m introducing
Shimasaki, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City‘s very own
“Ishigamiyama Park” — a hidden local gem perfect for travelers visiting Kumamoto with kids.

Follow the green Ishigamiyama Park sign up the road and you’ll find…

…a spacious parking area waiting for you.

Right next to the parking area is a hand-washing station,
complete with a kid-friendly step so little ones can reach the tap.

You’ll spot a vending machine right beside the hand-washing station.

Next to the vending machine is the management office.
This is where you can buy food for the koi (carp).

Why You’ll Love This Park

Get this!
A generous bag of koi food costs
just 10 yen!! An unbeatable bargain — less than a dime!

Grab your koi food, head down the slope and stairs, and…

…a beautiful large pond comes into view.

The pond is teeming with koi and turtles.
And wow — they have hearty appetites!

Tiny fish and baby turtles share the pond too,
so part of the fun is spotting them while you feed the bigger residents.

There’s also a walking course,
and along the way you’ll find a basketball hoop set up.

Hike up this slope to reach the “Sky Plaza” (Tenku Hiroba)…

Heads up — a sign warns that wild boars and pit vipers (mamushi) sometimes appear,
so please stay alert and stick to the marked paths!

Just past this point, you’ll reach…

…the Sky Plaza (Tenku Hiroba).
Keep climbing further up and you’ll discover an observation deck.

The mountain views are stunning, and
you can see Mt. Kinpo and enjoy a sweeping panorama of Kumamoto City!

The park even has a BBQ area!
Use fees are 1,000 yen per section per day — great value for groups.
To book the BBQ area,
stop by the management office in person or call ahead to inquire.

The playground features a slide and horizontal bars.

Plus swings, and…

…even a 4-person seesaw!
In the back, shaded by trees, there are benches where parents can rest.

With restrooms on-site, toddler-friendly play equipment,
and the chance to feed koi, this is a wonderfully affordable park where you can spend the whole day without anyone getting bored.

Park Info

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.