A Walking Trail Filled with Japanese Songs
The greatest attraction of the Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden is the opportunity to listen to children’s songs while walking through the park. When visitors approach certain monuments and song markers, music begins to play.
The songs include well-known Japanese melodies such as “Mari and the Lord,” “Hato Poppo,” “Akatonbo,” “Nanatsu no Ko,” “Mikan no Hana Saku Oka,” “Medaka no Gakko,” “Umi,” and “Yuyake Koyake.”
For Japanese visitors, these songs often evoke childhood memories. For international visitors, the garden provides a gentle introduction to an important part of Japanese popular culture and traditional children’s music.
Walking along the trail while listening to the melodies and feeling the refreshing ocean breeze creates a calm and relaxing experience. Families with children can enjoy discovering the musical monuments together, while adults can simply take their time and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Panoramic Views of the Karekida Coast
The garden offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Karekida Coast. From the elevated areas of the park, visitors can look across the rugged coastline and deep blue waters.
On clear days, the contrast between the blue sky and the ocean creates an especially beautiful landscape. The area is also recognized as one of Wakayama Prefecture’s “100 Selected Sunrise and Sunset Spots,” making it a particularly attractive destination around dawn and sunset.
At sunset, the sky and ocean can become filled with warm shades of orange and gold. Listening to traditional Japanese children’s songs while watching the sun disappear over the ocean is a memorable experience unique to this location.
A grassy open area is also available within the park. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy a picnic here, making the garden a pleasant place for families and friends to spend a relaxing afternoon.
A Walking Trail to Esuzaki Island
Continuing toward the far end of the park, visitors will find a staircase leading down toward the coast. From there, a path extends toward Esuzaki Island, a natural landmark designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan.
Esuzaki Island is covered with a distinctive community of warm-climate vegetation influenced by the Kuroshio Current. The entire island has traditionally been protected as sacred territory belonging to Kasuga Shrine.
The island is home to evergreen trees and subtropical plants, creating a landscape that can feel surprisingly tropical. Visitors can explore the area while observing the rich variety of plants and the unique natural environment.
The island is also a valuable geological site. Its landscape was formed from land that was once beneath the sea and was later uplifted, creating distinctive coastal terraces and geological formations.
A National Natural Monument: The Warm-Climate Plant Community
In 1953, Esuzaki was designated as a National Natural Monument for its distinctive warm-climate plant community, known as the “Warm-Climate Plant Community of Esuzaki Island.”
Thanks to the warm climate influenced by the Kuroshio Current, numerous warm-climate and subtropical plants grow naturally on the island.
One of the most remarkable plants is the Hakama-kazura, a large climbing vine that winds its way around trees and reaches high into the forest canopy. Its dramatic appearance can make the forest feel almost like a tropical jungle.
Other plants found on the island include Ubame oak, Hamasedan, Shimasarunashi, and Japanese juniper. More than 200 species of plants are said to grow in the area, demonstrating the ecological importance of this location near the boundary between warm-temperate and subtropical environments.
There is also a longstanding local tradition that nothing should be taken away from the island. This custom reflects the belief that the entire island is a sacred place and has helped preserve its natural environment over generations.
Kasuga Shrine and the Sacred Forest
At the center of the island stands Kasuga Shrine, where the local deity known as Esuzaki Myojin is enshrined. The island has long been regarded as sacred territory belonging to the shrine and has been carefully protected by the local community.
As a result, a rich natural forest of evergreen trees has survived in remarkably good condition. Walking beneath the trees and through patches of sunlight filtering through the leaves provides a strong sense of tranquility.
The quiet surroundings of the shrine create an atmosphere that feels far removed from modern urban life. Here, visitors can experience the close relationship between nature, spirituality, and local traditions that has characterized Japanese sacred landscapes for centuries.
Esuzaki Lighthouse and Ocean Views
At the tip of the island stands Esuzaki Lighthouse. From this area, visitors can enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Pacific Ocean, the rugged coastline, and the vast horizon.
The combination of the deep blue sea, open sky, dramatic rocky coastline, and powerful ocean currents creates an impressive landscape. It is one of the highlights for visitors exploring Esuzaki.
The scenery is particularly beautiful in the evening. As the setting sun illuminates the ocean, the landscape takes on a peaceful and almost dreamlike appearance. The area’s recognition as one of Wakayama’s 100 Selected Sunrise and Sunset Spots reflects the quality of these coastal views.
Where Nature and Japanese Culture Come Together
The Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden is much more than an ordinary park. It is a place where music, literature, nature, local history, and Japanese culture come together in a beautiful coastal setting.
The gentle melodies of traditional children’s songs provide a cultural experience, while the spectacular views of the Karekida Coast create a powerful natural backdrop. The combination makes the park especially appealing to travelers looking for something different from the major tourist attractions of Japan.
The nearby Crustacean Aquarium, known for its displays of shrimp and crabs, can also be visited as part of a sightseeing trip around Susami Town. Together, these attractions make it easy to enjoy the area’s rich marine and natural environment.
Access and Visitor Information
Admission to the Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden is free, making it an easy and enjoyable stop during a trip around southern Wakayama.
By Car
The garden is approximately a 5-minute drive from the Susami-Minami Interchange on the Kisei Expressway.
By Train
The park is approximately a 15- to 20-minute walk from either JR Mirozu Station or JR Esumi Station.
A Relaxing Coastal Experience in Susami
The Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden offers a rare combination of music and nature. Visitors can walk beside the ocean while listening to traditional Japanese children’s songs, enjoy spectacular coastal views, and continue on to the lush natural landscape of Esuzaki Island.
For international travelers, it is an especially enjoyable place to experience a quieter side of Japan. Rather than simply viewing a famous landmark, visitors can slow down, listen to local melodies, feel the sea breeze, and explore a sacred forest shaped by centuries of tradition.
Whether visiting with family, friends, or on your own, the Japanese Nursery Rhyme Garden offers a peaceful opportunity to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Susami. Surrounded by nostalgic music, the Pacific Ocean, and the rich forests of Esuzaki, it is a wonderful place to relax and create lasting memories in southern Wakayama.