Did you know that there is a vast park of about 32 hectares in Abira Town? It is the Abira Town Deer Park, the oldest health and conservation forest in Japan. The park is affectionately known to locals as the Deer Park, but we looked into what a health and conservation forest is and why it is called the Deer Park. Abira Town Deer Park (hereinafter referred to as the Deer Park) was designated as a health and conservation forest in 1902. A conservation forest is a forest designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or a prefectural governor to achieve a specific public purpose. Conservation forests are further classified into 17 types, and health and conservation forests serve the purpose of providing a place for forest recreation, purifying the air, and mitigating noise. This has become a rather long explanation, but the reason why the Deer Park was selected as the oldest health and conservation forest is actually not clear. Even in the national register, the purpose of the designation is written as "unknown," which is a bit disappointing.

(Photo provided by Abira Town)

Still, it is wonderful to think that such a vast expanse of nature has been passed down to the present day precisely because it was designated a health and conservation forest at such an early date. Even today, it is carefully managed as a primeval forest with over 100 species of trees remaining, and visitors can enjoy the different expressions that appear with each season.

(Photo provided by Abira Town)

By the way, the name Deer Park comes from the fact that a "deer ranch" was opened in 1971. Initially, one male and one female Ezo deer were kept there. The Ezo deer breeding area is very popular with children, and the park also has a dog run, athletic facilities, a park golf course, and a campsite. The water lilies that bloom in summer are also well known, and during the season many people can be seen taking photos.

(Photo provided by Abira Town)

People visit the deer park for a variety of reasons: wanting to meet the cute Ezo deer, letting their dog run to its heart's content, taking photos of the beautiful nature, enjoying a weekend camping trip with their family...

(Photo provided by Abira Town)

Looking back, this park has been nourishing people's hearts as a health and conservation forest since the Meiji era. Even if you don't have any particular purpose in mind, just pop in and take a leisurely stroll along the walking path through the forest and you'll surely feel a pleasant sense of freedom. <Abira Town Deer Park> Location: 2-1 Oiwake Shirakaba, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido Contact: 0145-25-4488 (on-site management building) <Interview cooperation> Abira Town Hall Address: 95 Hayakita Omachi, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido Contact: 0145-29-7075 (Abira Town Hall, Construction Division, Civil Engineering and Parks Group)