YamagataLeisure

Seseragi Waterway, Mamigasaki Riverside Park, Shakado district (馬見ヶ崎河川公園(釈迦堂地区) せせらぎ水路)

About this spot

Laid out along the Mamigasaki River (馬見ヶ崎川) in Yamagata City, the Seseragi Waterway at Mamigasaki Riverside Park, Shakado district (馬見ヶ崎河川公園(釈迦堂地区) せせらぎ水路) is a shallow channel 5 to 20 cm deep fed by river water. Because the source is the river itself, it stays cold even in summer, and the hotter the day the more welcome it feels. The depth reaches only below the knee, so even children who have just started walking can play safely with an adult beside them. Within the park there are a basketball court, playground equipment, stoves for imoni (taro stew) and open-sided pavilions that serve as eating areas, so there is never a shortage of places to rest between rounds of water play. Entry is unrestricted, it never closes and there is no fee, so you can also use it for a short stop. The open riverbed scenery and the chance to stay until the cool of the evening are what make this place special.

Tips

The operating period has not been announced. Check whether it is running on the Yamagata City park page before you set out. The parking lot is available from 5:00 to 20:00 and is closed for the winter from December through March. Water shoes or other footwear with soles are recommended so no one cuts a foot on the channel bed. When the river rises or after rain the current can strengthen, so on days when the weather turns, wrap up rather than pushing on. For children still in diapers, bring swim diapers.