The Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture is a city park built on the site of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (Expo 2005 Aichi). There are plenty of sports facilities such as a lawn plaza where you can enjoy nature, a large Ferris wheel, a children's open space where parents and children can enjoy nature, and an ice skating stadium that you can enjoy all year round.
In this article, we will be Introducing the charms of the popular spot just a short walk from a station of Linimo, Japan's first magnetic levitation type linear motor car, which became a hot topic at the time of the Expo.
Moricoro Park is the site of the Expo 2005 Aichi (2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan)
The World Exposition is an exhibition that brings together the cutting-edge science and technology of the times with the participation of countries from all over the world. The Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park) is a city park built on the site of the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (commonly known as the Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan) held in 2005.
Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan is an event held at two venues, the Nagakute venue and the Seto venue. Four international organizations from 121 countries participated in this event, and 22 million people visited during the exhibition. Moricoro Park was opened in July 2006 on the site of the Nagakute venue as a park that inherits the philosophy and achievements of the Expo 2005 Aichi .
The magnetic levitation type linear motor car Linimo, which attracted the attention of visitors as a "moving pavilion" at the time of the Expo 2005 Aichi, is still in operation and is one of the means of transportation to the park.Since the sound of a linear motor car where the car body and rails do not come into contact while running is so quiet, the driver's seat is entirely covered with glass and the window of the vehicle is large, so the view from inside is the best! It is a line that connects the park and Nagoya's downtown area, so it is convenient if you want to go sightseeing in Nagoya together with the park.
How to enjoy Moricoro Park
The charm of Morikoro Park, which boasts a vast site of about 194 hectares, is rich in nature and you can enjoy leisure activities! From here, we will introduce typical ways to enjoy.
1. Appreciate seasonal flowers in the park
You can enjoy various activities in each area of Moricoro Park, but the most recommended one is to appreciate the flowers in each season! The cherry blossoms are especially famous, and you can see many kinds of cherry blossoms everywhere in the park from mid-March to mid-April, such as Kawazu cherry blossoms and Higan cherry blossoms, which are known as early-blooming cherry blossoms, as well as the classic Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms.
In addition, nemophila, iris and charley poppy in spring, hydrangea and water lily in summer, cosmos in autumn, and camellia in winter will be in full bloom as well. During the flowering season, you can enjoy the flowers of each season by strolling around the flower fields, the large lawn plaza, and the Japanese garden Rinshokaen (林床花園).
There is a cycling course in the park, and you can easily enjoy cycling with a bicycle rented at the cycling station. The course is a 5.1km-long bicycle-only course. You can enjoy the spectacular view from the hills while following the ups and downs of the bicycle path!
2. Ride the largest Ferris wheel in the Tokai region
The Ferris wheel is the landmark of Moricoro Park. Located near the Koen-Nishi station exit, this Ferris wheel boasts the largest scale in the Tokai region with the height of 88m and overlooks the vast park and city area. It also has a great charming point of being able to ride in a wheelchair, making it a popular viewing spot in the park.
In addition, there are plenty of activities for children around the Ferris wheel as well. There are Electric-powered attractions (charged) such as Dolphin Paradise (fast slide for little children), outdoor play-set that makes use of the natural terrain with the theme of forest, water, wind, etc., Aichi Children's Center where you can enjoy indoor activities and experience programs, and etc., so it is safe to bring along children at playful age.
3. Experience local culture at the Expo 2005 Museum and the Japanese Garden
The third thing we would like to introduce is the Expo 2005 Memorial Museum. This is a museum created by making use of the building that was actually used as a guest house and reception hall during the Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan. In the hall where the official image songs of the Expo and the songs used in the TV broadcast are played, you can see more than 300 exhibits such as donations from foreign pavilions.
At that time, it was a facility that was used only by VIPs and was not accessible to the general public, so just entering the facility is a super valuable experience! In addition, you can see the VIP sign that actually used the facility, so why not visit here when you visit Moricoro Park?
There is also a full-scale Japanese garden in the park, which is known as a famous spot for autumn leaves. The contrast between the bright autumn leaves such as red and orange and the bridge over the water is a spectacular view of the four seasons unique to Japan! Furthermore, if you enjoy matcha and sweets at the Ryureiseki tea shop in the garden (* Tea from the Ryureiseki tea shop is currently available only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), you will be able to enjoy a more immersive Japanese experience.
4. Experience ice skating at the skating rink that is open all year round!
Skating competitions are popular in Aichi prefecture. It is known that there are multiple large skating rinks in the prefecture, but in fact there are ice rinks that can be used all year round in Moricoro Park. Of course, you can enjoy skating even in the middle of summer, and there are shoes rental and gloves selling within the facility, so you can go there empty-handed and still be able to enjoy it.
There is a free skating space and a circuit course outside the rink, so beginners can practice slowly on the wall. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there are also mini lessons for beginners (reception on the day), and even first-timers will be kindly taught. Why don't you enjoy skating at the full-scale skating rink, which is also used at famous ice shows, to commemorate your visit to Aichi?
Spot Information
- Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park, or 愛・地球博記念公園 / Ai・Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen)
- Address: 1533-1 Ibaragabasamaotsu, Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture
- Access: Immediately after getting off at "Ai・Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station" on the Tobu Kyuryo Line (Linimo), or immediately after getting off at "Ai・Chikyuhaku Kinen Koen Station" on Meitetsu Bus
- Business hours:
[April-October] 08:00-19:00,
[November-March] 08:00-18:30 (On the closed days of facilities in the park: 08:00-17:30) - Closed days: Monday (If Monday is a national holiday, the next weekday will be closed instead. However, it can be used even on closed days during the spring, summer, and winter holidays).
* Closed on Tuesdays from Saturday, October 1, 2022
* Closed during the New Year holidays (December 29-January 1) - Admission fee: Free (Please check the official website for usage fees and reservation methods for each facility in the park)
- * Ghibli Park is scheduled to open on November 1, 2022.
- URL: https://www.aichi-koen.com/moricoro/
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