Nagai Ayame Park (長井あやめ公園)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This Japanese garden, representative of Nagai City (長井市), is also known for its early-summer iris festival and is a place of relaxation for local residents. Centered around a pond, the grounds include a landscaped lawn plaza and walking paths, and even in August, after the iris season has ended, the greenery remains lush and the atmosphere calm. Located near the Nogawa River (野川), a tributary of the Mogami River (最上川), a cool breeze blows through along the water, making it pleasant to spend time in the shade even on a midsummer afternoon. There is also a lawn plaza where children can run around, making it a good spot to move your body freely during the day before the fireworks. Take a slow lap around the spacious grounds to start the day off at an easy pace.

Tips

About a 15-minute walk from Nagai Station (長井駅) on the Flower Nagai Line, or use the city's loop bus. Admission is free. There are vending machines in the park, so it's reassuring to be able to restock on drinks. Outside of iris season there are few visitors, so you can stroll around at a relaxed pace.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 15 minutes. In daylight, the contrast between the pond's surface and the greenery looks beautiful

Access & map

〒993-0087 山形県長井市横町６−２４