Gifu Prefectural Hyakunen Park, also known simply as Hyakunen Park, is a prefectural urban park located in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture.
The park was planned in 1971 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Gifu Prefecture and officially opened in 1975. Covering approximately 100 hectares, it features expansive satoyama landscapes—traditional Japanese countryside hills and woodlands—along with a variety of facilities for visitors of all ages. The Gifu Prefectural Museum is also located within the park.
Hyakunen Park offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. Its extensive grounds are ideal for relaxing walks, outdoor recreation, and family outings. Facilities include athletic play areas, cycling routes, and open spaces where visitors can enjoy nature together.
The rest house provides a comfortable place for visitors to take a break during their exploration of the park.
Bouken no Mori, meaning “Forest of Adventure,” is an outdoor adventure facility designed to excite both children and adults. Rather than offering conventional tree climbing or standard athletic equipment, it provides a distinctive adventure experience where visitors can move their bodies, challenge themselves, and play actively in a natural setting.
The facility consists of two areas: Shinrin Adventure, inspired by the forest environment, and Machinaka Adventure, which offers a different style of adventure experience.
One of its main attractions is the Tree Top Adventure, a challenging aerial obstacle course set among the trees. With exciting activities at height, it offers thrills and suspense for adults as well as younger adventurers.
The Japanese iris garden has been one of the park’s celebrated flower-viewing spots since its opening in May 1975. It features approximately 7,000 plants representing 120 varieties of Japanese iris.
The garden is especially popular during the flowering season, when the annual Iris Festival is held. It is an excellent place to enjoy the beauty of these traditional flowers in early summer.
The park’s 10-meter-high observation tower offers views of the surrounding landscape. From its uppermost level, visitors can look north toward the peaks of the Northern Alps on clear days.
In the peaceful woodland surroundings, visitors may also hear woodpeckers tapping against tree trunks, adding to the atmosphere of the natural environment.
Hyakunen Park is designed around the landscape of a traditional Japanese satoyama, with woodlands and hills characteristic of the Chūnō region of Gifu Prefecture. Its forests provide opportunities to observe a variety of plants and wildlife.
The park features several botanical areas, including a Japanese iris garden, a flowering tree garden, an autumn foliage garden, and a fragrant tree garden. The Japanese irises are a highlight in early summer, while the autumn foliage attracts visitors later in the year.
A giant kaleidoscope that visitors can enter and experience from inside adds a distinctive artistic attraction to the park. The grounds also include the Gifu Prefectural Museum and a rest house.
In addition to its gardens and observation tower, the park offers grassy lawns, a trim playground area, and an observation plaza where families can relax and enjoy the outdoors.
A cycling route approximately 2.4 kilometers long circles through the park, providing a pleasant way to explore the grounds. Tennis courts and other recreational facilities are also available.
Established to commemorate the centenary of Gifu Prefecture in 1971, Hyakunen Park combines the natural charm of wooded hills with facilities for recreation, education, and family entertainment.
Whether admiring the Japanese irises in early summer, enjoying the colorful foliage in autumn, cycling along the park trails, or exploring the adventure facilities, visitors can experience the changing seasons and spend quality time with family and friends in this spacious natural setting.