SaitamaLeisure

Bessho-numa Park (別所沼公園)

About this spot

This is a green park in Minami Ward, Saitama City, centred on a pond. The dawn redwoods ringing the pond stretch straight up into the sky, and the promenade beneath them is deeply shaded, which makes it easy to walk even in summer. On the shore stands a small house called Hyacinth House. It gives form, years later, to the weekend cottage conceived by Tachihara Michizo (立原道造), a poet and architect who died young, and knowing that story makes the little building feel truly special. It is a quiet, comfortable park where local people come to stroll and jog.

Tips

Hyacinth House is open only on limited days, so if you want to see inside, check the open days on the official Saitama City website before you go. You can walk all the way around the pond, but some stretches are exposed to strong sun, so do not forget a hat. There are also facilities such as boating, which are enjoyable if you have time to spare.