2026 Zaimokuiwa Park Water Plaza and Water Channel: A Full Day of Fun

This course centers on the Zaimokuiwa Park (Park of Dialogue between Water and Stone) Water Plaza and Water Channel in Obara, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and spends a full day on the upper reaches of the Shiroishi River. A water plaza built from a fountain and rocks, plus a shallow water channel, are laid out here, so even small children can touch the water and play safely. Admission is free, so you can use it either for a short stop to cool off or to spend the whole afternoon. Zaimokuiwa, which gives the park its name, is a national natural monument where a columnar rock wall resembling stacked timber continues along the river, and its impact comes across far better in person than in photographs. The park has a shop, an ice house, a fishing pond and a farmhouse restaurant, so a major advantage is that you can build a whole day without leaving. Set in a valley where the river water is cold, it feels cooler here than in town even at the height of summer, which is this spot's unique charm. In the morning, look up at Zaimokuiwa and learn how the rock formed, face off with the fish at the fishing pond, have lunch at the farmhouse restaurant, and then head for the water play. The opening period has not been announced and in past years it has operated during the summer holiday season, so please check the on-site information for the day's status before you go.