In the quiet town of Nagaizumi, located in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, a park no larger than a newspaper has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records as the smallest park on Earth. Though it has existed since the late 1980s, this tiny recreational space only recently gained global recognition, surpassing Portland, Oregon’s Mill Ends Park, which previously held the title.
Situated near Nagaizumi Town Hall, the miniature park covers a mere 2.6 square feet, featuring a small patch of grass, a couple of stone plaques, and a single stool where visitors can sit and take in the surroundings. While this space has been cherished by locals for decades, it was officially confirmed as the world’s smallest park only last month after a professional surveyor ensured it met Guinness’ criteria for a recreational green space.
Shuji Koyama, team leader at the town’s construction management division, shared the inspiration behind the park’s creation. He explained that in 1988, a staff member had visited the United States and learned about Mill Ends Park in Portland. Upon returning to Japan, the town decided to create an even smaller green space. “Back then, a staff member went on a holiday to the US, and they found the previous record holder for the smallest park – Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon,” Koyama recalled. “So they wanted to create an even smaller park.”
For years, the people of Nagaizumi have affectionately referred to their town’s tiny landmark as the world’s smallest park, and it has become a popular spot for tourists seeking unique photo opportunities. Now that its record-breaking status has been confirmed, the town plans to enhance the park’s appeal even further. “We want to continue maintaining the park with the community, as well as creating a landscape that is more social media friendly so that even more people will find attractions of our town,” Koyama added.
Though small in size, this charming park has made a big impression, proving that even the tiniest spaces can become significant landmarks.
