Yamashita Park


Yamashita Park 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: