Yamato City: Izumi Forest and the Silk Road History

Clear water welling up endlessly, green woodland paths, and a historic road that once carried raw silk to Yokohama Port. Yamato City in Kanagawa is a town where rich waterside nature coexists with traces of the Meiji-era silk industry. Though near the city, it is wrapped in pure water and greenery, a quietly deep place where you can trace the history of the Silk Road that supported modern Japan.

Highlights

Yamato's signature nature spot is Izumi Forest, the city's largest green space, centered on the Yamato Water Source at the headwaters of the Hikijigawa River that flows through the city. Its area spans about nine Tokyo Domes. Clear water welling up from the pond bottoms becomes the Hikijigawa and eventually flows to Sagami Bay. The grounds include a wetland botanical garden, a waterwheel hut, the Kyodo Minka-en folk house museum with relocated old farmhouses, and a campground, where about 900 plant species and birds such as kingfishers can be observed. This rich waterside nature, hard to believe so near the city, is cherished as a place of local recreation.

Seasonal Enjoyment

Early summer with its dazzling fresh greenery and autumn with its foliage are especially recommended. In spring, waterside plants bud, and in early summer irises and water lilies reach their peak. Winter is a good time for birdwatching in the crisp air. Combined with the neighboring Fureai Forest, it is an area to enjoy nature strolls through every season.

Access and Essentials

Izumi Forest is open 24 hours year-round with free admission. Access is about a 25-minute walk from Yamato Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line and Sotetsu Line, or about a 15-minute walk from Sagami-Otsuka Station on the Sotetsu Line; buses are also convenient. Some facilities within the grounds, such as the folk house museum, have set opening hours. Free parking is available. The area around Yamato once lay along the Silk Road that carried raw silk from the Hachioji area to Yokohama Port, supporting modern Japan's exports.

Practical Travel Notes

The paths are gently graded and easy to walk, enjoyable even with a stroller or small children. Allow about one to two hours to tour the grounds at a relaxed pace. There is a free day-camp site, ideal for a family nature outing. Binoculars are handy for birdwatching. With free admission it is easy to drop by, and paired with the commercial facilities and the Sirius library near Yamato Station it suits a half-day stroll.

A Word of Advice

Walking along the clear stream nourished by spring water, you are wrapped in a stillness hard to imagine so near the city. After the nature walk, reflect on the history of the Silk Road that once carried raw silk to Yokohama Port, and touch another story of Yamato that supported modern Japan.

📚 Sources

This information is based on public materials from local governments such as Yamato City and tourism associations, on the public information of related facilities, and on on-site guidance. Areas open to the public and hours differ by facility. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please check official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About one to two hours to tour the facilities and stroll
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes; cash, as some facilities charge admission
• Suggested route: Tour the silk-related highlights and facilities mentioned in the article together with a stroll of the surroundings
• Access: From the rail stations on foot or by bus; check each facility's opening hours in advance
• Budget: A few thousand yen is a guide for admission and a meal

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Folk House Park (opening hours): 9:00-16:00 (until 17:00 from July 21 to August 31), admission free of charge
• Folk House Park (closing days): Mondays (open on public holidays), the day after a public holiday (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays), and the New Year period (December 29 to January 3)
• Nature Observation Center Shirakashi no Ie: 9:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays (the following day when Monday is a public holiday) and from December 29 to January 3
• Car park hours: 9:00-17:00 (January to May and October to December), 9:00-19:00 (June to September)
• Inquiries: 046-260-5790 (Yamato City Folk House Park) / 046-264-6633 (Nature Observation Center Shirakashi no Ie)
• Official information: Yamato City official website (Izumi no Mori / Yamato City Folk House Park)

Note: The above is a guide based on information published by the individual facilities and local authorities. Hours and fees may change, so please check the official sources before you set out.