![No. 1 in "Photogenic Industrial Heritage of Modernization Ranking! Nemuro City's "Meiji Park" with its distinctive red silos|Domingo](https://p1-634a4370.imageflux.jp/w=768,f=webp:auto,q=78/https%3A%2F%2Fdomingo.ne.jp%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F09%2F42d9080190b167cc728759c4f018f04e.jpg)
EDITORIALS
No. 1 in "Photogenic Industrial Heritage of Modernization Ranking! Nemuro City's "Meiji Park" with its distinctive red silos
Did you know that Meiji Park, including these silos, is actually a park with a long history? Let us introduce Meiji Park and unravel a bit of its history.
In 1875, the second national cattle ranch in Japan was established in Nemuro City. It was called "Kaitakushi Nemuro Pasturage Station," the predecessor of Meiji Park. Later, the ranch came under the jurisdiction of the Hokkaido Government and was sold to the private sector.
The Yuseikai, of which Shibusawa Eiichi, the face on the next 10,000 yen bill, was the chairman, was in charge of the management of the ranch, and it was around this time that the three silos were built. In other words, the three silos are buildings associated with Shibusawa Eiichi.
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The silos, which are the symbol of the park, were built in different years and sizes. The first and third silos were built in 1936, and the second silo in 1932. The height of the silos also varies slightly, from 15m, 12m, and 14m in order from the first silo.
The second silo is the second oldest existing brick silo in Japan, while the first and third silos are the largest in the country. Because of their historical value, all three silos were designated as registered tangible cultural properties in 2001.
(Photo by Nemuro City Tourism Association)
Let's return to Meiji Park. Meiji Park was owned by the Hokkaido Condensed Milk Company (later Meiji Dairies) after 1921, and in 1979 it was renamed Meiji Park in honor of the company. In 2006, the park was selected as one of the "100 Best Historical Parks in Japan" and in the following year, it was selected as a "Heritage of Industrial Modernization".
(Photo by Nemuro City Tourism Association)
The historic park remains a place of relaxation for locals. The park has a fountain plaza, playground equipment, a barbecue area, and the sound of children's laughter.
In addition, a bird observation hut (hides) has been set up on the north side of the park, allowing bird watchers to enjoy bird watching without disturbing the wild birds. You can observe chickadees, Komukidori, kingfishers, red-faced bunting, rufous turtledoves, green-winged teals, and many more.
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Meiji Park is a truly Hokkaido-like place to enjoy. You can go there for the three photogenic silos, for bird watching, or just to be in touch with nature without thinking about it.
(Photo by Nemuro City Tourism Association)
When you visit, if you keep in mind the history of this place, which used to be a national cattle ranch, you may see the landscape in front of you a little differently.
For more information, please visit Domingo's spot page.
Meiji Park
<Cooperation for this report
Nemuro City Tourism Association
Location: Tourist Information Center, 2-10 Kouwa-cho, Nemuro City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0153-24-3104
Official website: https://www.nemuro-kankou.com
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Sightseeing Turtle Writer Bubu-Neko
I'm Bubaneko, a writer with many connections to sightseeing spots and tourist facilities in Hokkaido. There are many wonderful resources, even the ones we take for granted when we live in Hokkaido. I will be sharing these wonderful attractions of Hokkaido with you.