Yamashita Park (山下公園, Yamashita Kōen) is a public park in Naka Ward, Yokohama, Japan, famous for its waterfront views of the Port of Yokohama.
History
Much of Yokohama was destroyed on September 1, 1923, by the
Great Kantō earthquake. A Scotsman, Marshall Martin, advisor to
Mayor Ariyoshi Chuichi, is credited with persuading the city
government to use rubble from the Kannai commercial district to
reclaim the former waterfront as a park.
Yamashita Park was formally opened on March 15, 1930.
The park was requisitioned in 1945 during the Occupation of
Japan for military housing, reverting to Japanese control in 1960.
Across the street from the park is the Hotel New Grand where
General Douglas MacArthur spent his first night on his arrival in
Japan on August 30, 1945.
Park
attractions
As well as public green space with trees, flower beds, fountains
and memorials, Yamashita Park is also noted as the location of:
- The Hikawa Maru, a Japanese ocean liner built in 1929
for Nippon Yūsen Kabushiki Kaisha ("NYK Line") now a museum
ship.
- The Port Service, an operator of seabuses, excursion and
restaurant ships, operating from the park pier. Ship services
include scheduled public lines as far as Yokohama Station as well
as larger charter ships.
-
The Guardian of Water, a Donal Hord sculpture gifted by
Yokohama's sister city San Diego in 1960. A replica of the
sculpture located in front of the San Diego County Administration
Center.
- Yokohama Indian Water Fountain. Donated by the local Indian
community to show its gratitude to the Japanese for aiding the
Indian survivors after the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, as well as
to remember those who perished in the disaster.
- Girl Scout Statue - Dedicated March 18, 1962 on the Fiftieth
Anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts. (two of the three
models for the statue are Libby Watson and Hiroko Tanaka)
- Statue of the Girl with Red Shoes (Akai Kutsu)
- Monument of the Children's Song "Seagull Sailor Man"
- Monument of General Artemio Ricarte - Philippine General,
erected in 1972