Nanko Koen Park

Nanko Koen Park in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a Japanese teien park that was constructed in 1801 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, a Shirakawa feudal lord. The park is surrounded by the hills of a number of mountains, and from it one can look out on Mt. Sekisan in the southeast and the Nasu Mountains far off to the west. Nanko Koen Park was created to be a place where anyone can relax, regardless of social status. It is considered one of the first modern parks, and it is often referred to as Japan's oldest park. In the park is also a tearoom called Kyorakutei, said to have been built for the enjoyment of the common people. There are several popular photography spots within the park, such as Nanko Jinja Shrine and Suirakuen Garden, and the grounds are dotted with any number of monuments and stone slabs with haiku and tanka inscriptions.