Engaru Park - Hokkaido

Engaru Park (遠軽公園) is a beautiful park on the west side of Engaru. Not to be confused with the Taiyo no Oka Engaru Park above the hill, this park is popularly known for its view of the Kanboiwa and also the well-preserved Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282 and SL D51859 train engines. Engaru Park is located at Nishimachi in the town of Engaru in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

遠軽公園
Engaru Park 

Engaru Park details

Engaru Park offers a wide range of sights and activities for visitors. It features a square that was once a baseball field with a net, an irrigation canal overgrown with baikamo, and an artificial pond teeming with yamame trout and goldfish. Dragonflies flutter around the pond, adding to the serene ambiance.

Engaru Park - Engaru town, Hokkaido Prefecture
Engaru Park - Engaru town, Hokkaido Prefecture

The park also houses two preserved trains - the SL D51859 and Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282

SL D51859
SL D51859

SL D51859

SL D51859

Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282
Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282

Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282

D51484 Driving Wheel

The SL  D51859 has the star mark of the Engaru Town emblem and was manufactured during the war. After running over 2.37 million km, it was scrapped and exhibited in the park. The Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282 was a Russell car assigned to the Asahikawa Railway Administration Bureau for snow removal operations. However, it was abolished in November 1986 due to modernization and converted to a diesel locomotive. The park also has a wheel with a plate notation of D51484, exhibited about railways.

瞰望岩
Kanboiwa Rock

While the preserved trains undoubtedly draw visitors to the park, the true gem of the area is undoubtedly Kanboiwa Rock (
瞰望岩). Rising 78 meters high, this rocky hill crafted from lapilli tuff is a magnificent sight to behold. It can be accessed through Taiyo no Oka Engaru Park and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the town that locals would likely say is unparalleled. With its stunning natural beauty and commanding height, it's easy to see why Kanboiwa Rock is a must-visit for anyone exploring the area.

Squirrel in Engaru Park
You would see squirrels in Engaru Park

Engaru Town Folk Museum (遠軽町郷土館)
Engaru Town Folk Museum

Engaru Park playground

Engaru Park

Engaru Park

The Engaru Town Folk Museum (
遠軽町郷土館) is another must-see attraction in the park. The museum showcases over 4,400 items on permanent display, including historical tools, photo panels, materials related to sister cities, and the Nayoro Main Line railway.

Engaru Cosmos Festa




Engaru Park is also a paradise for wild birds and small animals. If you're lucky, you can see Ezo squirrels and chipmunks, as well as Kara (varied tit, great tit, etc.) and woodpeckers (perched woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, etc.).

Team Nicerio visits Engaru Park




My family and I visited Engaru Park last September 18, 2022, during our September 17-19 Road Trip. It was my 321st day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. During our visit, the Cosmos Festa was being celebrated in town. There were food stalls set up in Engaru Park and it was very crowded with locals and visitors from different towns. What I liked about Engaru Park were its well-preserved trains, particularly the Yukishosha Ki 100 type 282.

Engaru Park Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore Engaru Park. Parking is also FREE but keep in mind that it gets crowded during the town festival held every September.

Engaru Park Operating Hours

Engaru Park is open 24/7.

Why visit Engaru Park?

Engaru Park is a place to go if you want to experience the tranquil beauty of nature and the railway history of Engaru. It’s also a great place to relax and have a picnic with the family.

Getting to Engaru Park

 

From Asahikawa City

From Asahikawa Station, board the Kitami Special Rapid Train of the Sekihoku Line and board down at Engaru Station. From there, you need to walk for about 800 meters to Engaru Park. If you are not a fan of walking, then you should board a taxi.

Travel Time: 2 hours
Fare: 2,860 yen

From Sapporo City

From Sapporo Station, board the Lilac –Kamui train and board down at Asahikawa Station. Transfer to the Kitami Special Rapid Train of the Sekihoku Line and board down at Engaru Station. From there, you need to walk for about 800 meters to Engaru Park. If you are not a fan of walking, then you should board a taxi.

Travel time: 3 hours and 37 minutes
Fare: 8,560 yen

Ratings

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Overall rating

Comments

  1. Engaru Park has preserved trains? Definitely going to be in my itinerary in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it does. Engaru Park reminds me of Miharashi Park here in Rumoi City but this one has more trains.

      Delete

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