Kumamoto City Center Green Island: Karashima Park

#July2025

Located in the heart of Kumamoto City's Chuo Ward, Karajima Park is an urban green space that blends history, nature, and urban functions. Formerly the "Songqing Memorial Monument Park," established in 1899 (Meiji 32) to commemorate victory in the Sino-Japanese War, it officially opened to the public as a public park in 1928 (Showa 3), making it one of Kumamoto City's oldest parks.

After undergoing the War Disaster Reconstruction Project in 1958 and the subsequent renovation project in 1993, Karajima Park has been transformed into a modern green space that combines both recreational opportunities and urban functions. As a hub for trams and buses, the park features diverse trees, fountains, and barrier-free spaces. Leveraging Kumamoto's unique status as a "groundwater city," it has become a popular spot for both residents and tourists.

Since 2012, the area has been included in the overall urban redevelopment plan for "Hanabatake Hiroba," forming a network of open spaces alongside the surrounding Hanabatake Park, Karashimacho Station, and the city square. After its reopening in November 2021, the park boasts expanded natural lawns, improved facilities such as fountains, and disaster prevention features such as earthquake-resistant underground water tanks.

The name "Karashima" comes from the surname of the third mayor of Kumamoto, Kaku Karashima. During his tenure, he actively promoted urban renewal and development, transforming a former military training ground into a civilian city. His significant contributions to the development of Kumamoto City led to the name "Karashimacho" and the station's name being preserved as a memorial.

📍Address: Karashima-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
🚉Access: Kumamoto City Tram (Karashima-cho)
🕰️Opening Hours: Open all day
💡Note: Located near the Kumamoto Transportation Center and Sakuramachi Shopping Center, it's a great place for a short stroll or a rest stop.

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Post by Jason906 | Jul 25, 2025