Read time: About 9 minutes
On New Year’s Day, my wife, our Shiba Inu Momiji, and I took a walk through Kodomo Shizen Park (Children’s Nature Park) in Yokohama.
What I thought would be just a quiet stroll turned out to be something else. A snow-capped Mt. Fuji appeared between the trees, ducks were drifting on the pond, and then — of all things — we stumbled onto a sign marking a protected Genji firefly habitat.
In the middle of a built-up Yokohama neighborhood, this kind of nature is still hanging on. Let me share how the day went.
Who this article is for
- Anyone in the Yokohama area looking for a relaxed, dog-friendly park
- Families or couples wanting a quiet winter nature walk around the New Year holidays
- Visitors hoping to see Japanese Genji fireflies in their natural habitat someday
- Anyone in their 50s who feels grounded by an unexpected glimpse of Mt. Fuji
Short version (before I ramble)
Right in the middle of Yokohama, there’s a “just-right” nature park with ponds, woods, rice paddies, Mt. Fuji views — and a protected Genji firefly habitat. Winter feels crisp and calm. In June, the fireflies show up.
Kodomo Shizen Park in Asahi Ward, Yokohama: the basics
Before I dive into the walk, here’s a quick rundown of the place.
- Name: Yokohama Kodomo Shizen Park (a.k.a. Oike Park)
- Address: 65-1 Oike-cho, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa
- Access: 7 min walk from Minamimakigahara Station / 15 min from Futamatagawa Station (Sotetsu Line)
- Parking: Lots 1–3 (around $2 for 2 hours, then $0.35 per 20 min)
- What to see: Oike & Naka ponds, educational rice paddy, BBQ area, a small petting zoo, a firefly habitat
- Map: See on Google Maps
Finding a park this green within walking distance of a train station is a rarity in Kanagawa. The whole site sits in a yato (valley) along the headwaters of the Futamata River — a geography that keeps woods, ponds, and rice paddies all tangled together in a surprisingly old-Japan way.
The entrance map tells you this place is bigger than you thought
Right after the parking lot, the first thing we met was a big park map.
Oike Pond in the middle, Naka Pond, the educational rice paddy, the petting zoo, a BBQ area, a plum grove, a youth outdoor activity center — everything spreads out pretty far. Walking end to end is a proper stroll.
“We’re not doing the whole park today,” my wife said. Momiji looked up at us with a face that said, “Can we go already?” We aimed for the water first.
Ducks on the pond, and the quiet of winter water
At Oike Pond, sunlight was glinting off the surface, and several ducks were floating around without a care in the world.
While I was standing at the edge, one of the ducks took off with a splash, lifting up off the water. The winter air was so crisp you could hear every wingbeat.
For a city pond, the birds felt surprisingly close — not spooked, just curious. That was the moment I thought, “this is a good park.”
Warm and calm, yet somehow crisp and still. Very much a winter scene.
Mt. Fuji, snow-capped, in the middle of Yokohama
Somewhere along the path, I glanced up, and there was Mt. Fuji, clean as can be, framed by the trees.
Snow on top. A postcard shot, for real. I wasn’t expecting that view from the middle of Yokohama, honestly.
Catching a snowy Fuji right after the New Year feels like a good omen. My wife and I stood there for a while, joking that maybe this year would turn out to be a decent one.
Momiji turns into a puppy in the winter woods
After we circled the pond, we headed into the woods a bit.
Dry leaves crunched under our feet. Momiji seemed to enjoy the sound and kept bolting ahead. At one of the wooden staircases, she stopped, turned around, and gave me that “are you coming or what?” look. She really runs her own show.
Once we hit an open meadow, it was full puppy mode — running flat out, skidding to a halt, running again. Watching that kind of uncomplicated joy does something to an older guy’s mood, honestly. Some knots loosen.
A few other families with dogs were out too. Not crowded, not empty. A nice in-between.
We stumbled on a Genji firefly habitat
Further along the trail, I spotted a wooden post with the kanji for “natural monument” (天然記念物).
Up close, the sign read: “Yokohama City-designated Natural Monument: Genji Fireflies and Their Habitat in Kodomo Shizen Park.”
Honestly, I had no idea. The idea that wild Genji fireflies still breed inside Yokohama city limits was a bit of a surprise.
The panel explained it: the yato valley topography feeds steady spring water, and between that water, the earthen banks, and the hillside forest, the larvae and adults have managed to hold on here for generations.
A sturdy fence keeps people out of the core habitat. You can feel the long-term work of locals and volunteers in how carefully this place is kept.
I want to come back in June — after I sort out my mosquito plan
Here’s a small confession: I have never actually seen fireflies properly.
Maybe, as a kid, I saw a tiny flicker near some neighborhood stream. But I don’t think I’ve ever stood there and consciously watched them.
At this park, the firefly peak is late May to mid-June. If I came back after sunset, this paddy-and-waterway corner would be dotted with that soft, drifting glow. Just picturing it gives me chills. Kind of mystical, kind of life-changing. The words feel a little big, but that’s honestly how it sits in my head.
There’s one catch, though. Mosquitoes.
Water, forest, wet ground, dusk-to-night. It’s basically mosquito paradise.
I’d love to blast insect repellent everywhere, but strong DEET-type chemicals aren’t great for fireflies. More realistic plan: long sleeves, long pants, a hat, maybe a light mint-based mist, and physical barriers over heavy spray. One more thing — proper firefly etiquette says no flashlights or phone screens, since the light messes with their signals. Good to know.
I’m coming back in June. Gear ready. That’s settled.
(For another walk around Yokohama’s hidden nature, you might enjoy Yokohama’s own “Mt. Takao” — a 13km hike in Midori Ward.)
Wrapping up
New Year’s Day, with my wife and Momiji, at Kodomo Shizen Park.
Ducks drifting on the water. A snow-capped Mt. Fuji peeking through the trees. Momiji tearing around a winter meadow like a puppy. And, waiting at the end of the path, a protected Genji firefly habitat. Nature is still quietly doing its thing, even in the middle of the city.
Winter has its own stillness and clarity, and I loved it. But I’ll be back in June — to see the fireflies. I’ll write up that one here too.
A city park that still has a rice paddy and a firefly waterway is not something you find every day. If you live in or near Yokohama, take an afternoon and walk it — with your family, with your dog, or on your own.
(A beach walk with Momiji: from Ninomiya Orchard Park to Sodegaura Beach.)
(For a hill walk with a quiet shrine, try Komachi Shrine to Mt. Takamatsu in Atsugi.)
