Park-PFI in the Chubu Region — Cases from Aichi, Shizuoka, and Toyama
An overview of Park-PFI cases in the Chubu region (Aichi, Shizuoka, Toyama). Through cases including Nagoya's Tsuruma Park 'TSURUMA GARDEN,' Shizuoka City's Johoku Park, Aichi's Obata Ryokuchi, and Takaoka Otogi no Mori Park, this article analyzes the Chubu region's Park-PFI adoption trends and regional characteristics.
TL;DR
- At Nagoya's Tsuruma Park, a group led by Yahagi Jisho opened the Park-PFI project 'TSURUMA GARDEN' in May 2023 — a model of old-meets-new coexistence in a historic park
- Shizuoka City conducted a market sounding survey across 16 parks in addition to the Johoku Park Park-PFI (featuring a Starbucks), serving as the prefecture's Park-PFI pioneer
- Aichi Prefecture's Obata Ryokuchi features a suburban park-type Park-PFI with BBQ sites, camping, and a buffet restaurant
Chubu Region Park-PFI Overview
Adoption status and regional characteristics centered on Aichi, Shizuoka, and Toyama
165
Nationwide Park-PFI deployments
End of FY2023
4+
Major Chubu region Park-PFI cases
16
Shizuoka City's sounding target parks
The Chubu region (this article focuses on Aichi, Shizuoka, and Toyama prefectures) has produced several notable cases among the 165 parks nationwide where Park-PFI is being utilized.
Park-PFI adoption in the Chubu region is shaped by the following regional characteristics:
① A manufacturing-driven economy: The Chubu area, centered on Aichi Prefecture, is a manufacturing hub with strong corporate financial capacity and high business entry appetite. The barrier to private-sector participation in Park-PFI is relatively low.
② Presence of designated and core cities: Large cities including Nagoya (approximately 2.3 million), Shizuoka (approximately 680,000), and Hamamatsu (approximately 780,000) serve as Park-PFI adoption pioneers.
③ Diverse tourism resources: Hot springs and coastlines in Shizuoka, natural landscapes in Toyama — many areas where combining tourism with park activation holds promise.
Nagoya's Tsuruma Park: "TSURUMA GARDEN"
Project Overview
The Park-PFI project "TSURUMA GARDEN" opened on May 27, 2023 at Tsuruma Park in Nagoya's Showa Ward. A group led by Yahagi Jisho Co., Ltd. is implementing the project.
History and Distinctiveness of Tsuruma Park
Tsuruma Park is Nagoya City's first park, established in 1909 (Meiji 42), and is registered as a national Registered Monument. It has been beloved by residents for its historic structures (Sogakudo concert hall, Kakukaku-tei tea house) and as a renowned flower-viewing destination.
The introduction of Park-PFI required a design that would not impair this historical value.
Development Areas and Facility Composition
TSURUMA GARDEN comprises three areas:
| Area | Location | Main Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Area 1 | South front area | Cafés, restaurants, and commercial facilities |
| Area 2 | Aki no Ike (Autumn Pond) area | Commercial facilities, rest spaces |
| Area 3 | Aki no Ike area | Commercial facilities |
| Kumazawa-yama area | Kumazawa Hill | Green space and path development (no revenue facilities) |
Shizuoka City's Multi-Park Deployment
Johoku Park Park-PFI
Shizuoka City is implementing a Park-PFI-based renewal project at Johoku Park, introducing private-sector energy to address facility aging after approximately 40 years since opening.
The "Tsunagu Park Project" was selected as the designated developer, with plans for a Starbucks Coffee café and all-weather indoor facility.
16-Park Batch Sounding
What distinguishes Shizuoka City's approach is that it conducted a market sounding survey covering 16 parks simultaneously.
Typically, market sounding surveys are conducted individually per park. Shizuoka City instead consolidated 16 parks into a single solicitation for private-sector ideas. This approach offers several benefits:
- Expanded options for operators: Operators can select the park with the most suitable location and scale from 16 options
- Administrative efficiency: Reduced sounding implementation costs (publicity, venues, staffing) compared to individual execution
- Facilitated comparison: Cross-cutting comparison of proposals across multiple parks enables prioritization of parks suitable for Park-PFI
Ohama Park Park-PFI
Shizuoka City has also applied Park-PFI to the Ohama Park renewal project. A renewal opening is scheduled for summer 2025, with private-sector-led operation and maintenance planned through March 2040.
Aichi Prefecture's Obata Ryokuchi
At Aichi Prefecture's Obata Ryokuchi (Moriyama Ward), a Park-PFI project by the Chubu Doboku and Iwama Zoen group has been implemented. Convenience and recreation facilities including BBQ sites, a campground, and a buffet restaurant have been developed, forming a suburban park-type Park-PFI model.
Characteristics of Suburban Park-Type Park-PFI
The Obata Ryokuchi case demonstrates a typical Park-PFI pattern for "large suburban green spaces."
- Target audience: Families and younger demographics from within Nagoya (30-minute driving radius)
- Business type: Outdoor leisure (BBQ, camping) plus dining (restaurant)
- Visitor draw model: Centered on weekend and holiday day-trip leisure demand
- Seasonality: Concentrated in the spring-to-autumn outdoor season, making winter revenue a challenge
Toyama Prefecture's Takaoka Otogi no Mori Park
Takaoka City, with a population of approximately 160,000, is a regional core city. This represents a Park-PFI model for "everyday-use parks in regional cities" rather than large-city models. Even with a single café as a small-scale revenue facility, it contributes to improved park convenience and reduced maintenance costs.
Future Developments in the Chubu Region
Background of Growing Adoption
Structural factors behind the expansion of Park-PFI in the Chubu region include:
- Automotive industry company towns: The presence of Toyota Motor and other manufacturers supports regional economic stability and private-sector business entry appetite
- Nagoya City's lead effect: The success of Tsuruma Park creates spillover effects for surrounding municipalities
- Shizuoka City's proactive stance: The pioneering 16-park batch sounding broadens the base for Park-PFI adoption
Developments to Watch
- Hamamatsu City: As Shizuoka Prefecture's second designated city, Park-PFI introduction is under consideration
- Toyama Prefecture: Social experiments underway for introducing private-sector energy to the comprehensive sports park
- Core cities in Aichi: Park-PFI introduction consideration is anticipated in Toyota City, Okazaki City, Toyohashi City, and others
→ For the latest nationwide Park-PFI statistics, see Park-PFI Latest Cases and Statistics [2026 Edition].
Complete Guide to Park-PFI
Comprehensive explanation of the system, procedures, and cases
Park-PFI Latest Cases and Statistics [2026 Edition]
Nationwide statistics across 165 parks and policy trends
Park-PFI Market Sounding
How to conduct market sounding surveys and design considerations
References
Nagoya City Tsuruma Park 'TSURUMA GARDEN' (Park-PFI) (2023)
Johoku Park Renewal Project Using Park-PFI (2024)
Park-PFI Case Collection (2024)
Park-PFI System Utilization Status (FY2023)