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Kyodo News
27-04-2025
- Kyodo News
"Park" in central Japan recognized by Guinness as world's smallest
KYODO NEWS - 15 hours ago - 09:48 | Japan, All, World A "pocket park" in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's smallest, measuring only 0.24 square meter with space for just one person to sit on a wooden seat on a rock. Located in a corner of a residential area in the town of Nagaizumi, the park consists of small square raised bricks, small plants next to the stool and two stone monuments including one with a carving of the town's symbolic flower. The park had been dubbed by locals as the "world's smallest park" and cherished as a resting space for more than 30 years, before it was officially recognized by Guinness in December. Approximately 300 meters away from the town hall, the park was built in 1988 using land left over from road construction work. A former official of the town proposed the idea of creating the tiny park after being inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, the previous record-holder with an area of 0.29 square meter. With local support, the town decided to challenge the world record in 2023. For expenses related to registering for the Guinness World Records, the town secured about 2.5 million yen ($18,000), through its budget, online fundraising and private sector donations. The town then hired a surveyor to measure the land and submitted a certificate that proved the park had existed for over five years. The space was also recategorized from being a part of a road to a park. Since earning Guinness recognition, the park has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from outside Shizuoka. "We hope this park will serve as an opportunity to promote our town," said Shuji Koyama of the town's construction management division. Related coverage: 108-yr-old Japanese woman recognized as world's oldest female barber
The Star
27-04-2025
- The Star
Japan's Shizuoka pocket park recognised as world's smallest
SHIZUOKA, Japan (Bernama-Kyodo): A "pocket park" in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's smallest, measuring just 0.24 square metre with space for only one person to sit on a wooden seat on a rock. Located in a corner of a residential area in the town of Nagaizumi, the park consists of small square raised bricks, a few plants next to the stool, and two stone monuments, including one featuring the town's symbolic flower, Kyodo news agency reported. The park had been dubbed by locals as the "world's smallest park" and served as a resting space for over 30 years. It was officially recognised by Guinness in December last year. Situated about 300 metres from the town hall, the park was built in 1988 using leftover land from a road construction project. The idea was proposed by a former town official who was inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, the previous record-holder with an area of 0.29 square metre. With local support, the town launched its challenge for the Guinness World Records title in 2023. It secured about 2.5 million yen (US$18,000) through its budget, online fundraising and private sector donations to cover related expenses. The town hired a surveyor to measure the land and submitted a certificate confirming the park had existed for over five years. The space was also officially reclassified from a road section to a park. Since earning Guinness recognition, the park has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from outside Shizuoka. "We hope this park will serve as an opportunity to promote our town," said Shuji Koyama of the town's construction management division. - Bernama-Kyodo
Barnama
27-04-2025
- Barnama
Japan's Shizuoka Pocket Park Recognised As World's Smallest
A "pocket park" recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's smallest is seen in Nagaizumi in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka. Credit: Kyodo SHIZUOKA (Japan), April 27 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- A "pocket park" in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's smallest, measuring just 0.24 square metre with space for only one person to sit on a wooden seat on a rock. Located in a corner of a residential area in the town of Nagaizumi, the park consists of small square raised bricks, a few plants next to the stool, and two stone monuments, including one featuring the town's symbolic flower, Kyodo news agency reported. The park had been dubbed by locals as the "world's smallest park" and served as a resting space for over 30 years. It was officially recognised by Guinness in December last year. bootstrap slideshow Situated about 300 metres from the town hall, the park was built in 1988 using leftover land from a road construction project. The idea was proposed by a former town official who was inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, the previous record-holder with an area of 0.29 square metre. With local support, the town launched its challenge for the Guinness World Records title in 2023. It secured about 2.5 million yen (US$18,000) through its budget, online fundraising and private sector donations to cover related expenses. The town hired a surveyor to measure the land and submitted a certificate confirming the park had existed for over five years. The space was also officially reclassified from a road section to a park. Since earning Guinness recognition, the park has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from outside Shizuoka. "We hope this park will serve as an opportunity to promote our town," said Shuji Koyama of the town's construction management division.
Kyodo News
27-04-2025
- Kyodo News
"Park" in central Japan recognized by Guinness as world's smallest
KYODO NEWS - 27 minutes ago - 09:48 | Japan, All, World A "pocket park" in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's smallest, measuring only 0.24 square meter with space for just one person to sit on a wooden seat on a rock. Located in a corner of a residential area in the town of Nagaizumi, the park consists of small square raised bricks, small plants next to the stool and two stone monuments including one with a carving of the town's symbolic flower. The park had been dubbed by locals as the "world's smallest park" and cherished as a resting space for more than 30 years, before it was officially recognized by Guinness in December. Approximately 300 meters away from the town hall, the park was built in 1988 using land left over from road construction work. A former official of the town proposed the idea of creating the tiny park after being inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, the previous record-holder with an area of 0.29 square meter. With local support, the town decided to challenge the world record in 2023. For expenses related to registering for the Guinness World Records, the town secured about 2.5 million yen ($18,000), through its budget, online fundraising and private sector donations. The town then hired a surveyor to measure the land and submitted a certificate that proved the park had existed for over five years. The space was also recategorized from being a part of a road to a park. Since earning Guinness recognition, the park has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from outside Shizuoka. "We hope this park will serve as an opportunity to promote our town," said Shuji Koyama of the town's construction management division. Related coverage: 108-yr-old Japanese woman recognized as world's oldest female barber
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Portland dethroned by Japan for owner of ‘World's Smallest Park', Guinness says
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It's official: Portland is no longer the owner of the world's smallest park, according to Guinness World Records. Portland's Mill Ends Park, found along Naito Parkway near Tom McCall Waterfront Park, was officially dethroned from the title on Tuesday, after holding the record since 1971. The honor now belongs to a town called Nagaizumi in Japan, located just over an hour southwest from Tokyo. 7 weekend events, from Portland Seafood and Wine Festival to Mardi Gras Ball Their park's area is just two and half square feet, which is about the size of a few sheets of paper. According to Guinness, it features an entrance, a small bench and some grass. Shuji Koyama, a team leader at the construction management division of Nagaizumi, told GWR that the park was originally created in 1988 to make best use of free space on the road. But the original inspiration struck when a Nagaizumi resident vacationing in Oregon came across Mill Ends Park, measuring at 452 square inches. From there, Koyama said the team members set out to create an even smaller park. Portland's February temperature record broken, warmest weather since October 2024 After the town recently set out to make the record official, they 'brought in a professional surveyor to measure the exact area of the park and gathered additional information as required by GWR guidelines,' Guinness said. Once the park was recognized as the world record holder, Koyama told Guinness he was 'relieved.' '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,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
