Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park - Hokkaido

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park (幸福の黄色いハンカチ想い出ひろば) is a former filming location turned tourist destination in Yubari City. It is located at 5 Hiyoshi, Yubari City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park Details

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park offers visitors a poignant, immersive experience inspired by the beloved 1977 Japanese film Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness. Directed by Yamada Yoji, this cinematic masterpiece won numerous accolades, including Japan’s first Academy Award for Best Picture. 

Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park - Yubari City, Hokkaido Prefecture

The film’s iconic final scene, featuring the reunion of Shima Yusaku (played by Takakura Ken) and his wife Mitsue (played by Baisho Chieko), is beautifully recreated at the memorial park, bringing to life the film’s heartwarming themes of love and happiness.

The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness movie poster

Yubari City's Tourist Map is also displayed on the park grounds

A Symbol of Happiness in the Wind

The yellow handkerchiefs wave in the wind, just as they did in the movie.

Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness poster

The heart of the park is its recreation of the touching scene, where countless yellow handkerchiefs flutter in the wind—a timeless symbol of happiness that transcends generations. Even if you’ve never seen the film, the warmth that fills the plaza and the peaceful ambiance will evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection, making it a place to pause and think about what true happiness means.

A Renovated Landmark with a Rich History

The restored tenement houses

Walking through these tenements gives you the feeling that you were in the movie yourself.

These mining tenements are now repurposed as a museum dedicated to the film

After undergoing a complete renovation in 2017, the Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park has evolved into a sacred space where people from all walks of life can reflect on happiness. Visitors can step into the five mining tenement houses that once supported Yubari’s “one mountain family” culture, a community built around the region’s coal mining industry. Inside these historic homes, the exhibit showcases photographs and actual props used in the film, providing a deeper connection to the story. The space itself is adorned with yellow sticky notes, each one filled with heartfelt messages of love and happiness from visitors, creating a collective tribute to the enduring power of joy.

Inside the Mining Tenements (Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park Museum)*

Ken Takikawa's Mazda Familia

*I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

Exclusive Insights and Cultural Touchstones

The Former Hamamtsu Barber Shop

It is now Hamamatsu Cafe

There is a unique yellow post box outside the cafe

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park also features an exclusive interview video, where director Yoji Yamada shares his thoughts on happiness, offering a deeper understanding of the film's themes and the cultural significance behind it. One of the last remaining historical buildings in the square is the former Hamamatsu Barber Shop, where the cast and crew would often wait for the wind to catch the yellow handkerchiefs during filming. The space also served as a relaxing spot for many customers who were captivated by the story of the couple’s love and reunion.

 

Inside Hamamatsu Cafe

The former Hamamatsu Barber Shop was transformed into the Hamamatsu Cafe after the renovation, offering visitors a modern space to unwind while pondering the concept of happiness. With its cozy atmosphere, the café serves as a perfect place to sip on original coffee blends and enjoy the calm setting of the memorial park. Whether you’re reflecting on the film’s impact or simply appreciating the tranquil surroundings, it’s a wonderful spot to relax and connect with the feelings of joy that the Yellow Handkerchief symbolizes.

Team Nicerio visits The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness Memorial Park

On May 13, 2023, my family and I visited the Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park for the first time as part of our “Wedding Anniversary” road trip. This visit also marked my 558th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. It was our first stop in Yubari City. Although I haven’t seen the film Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness yet, I was impressed by how well the park was preserved, sparking my interest in watching the movie someday. My excitement is further fueled by my admiration for Takakura Ken, as I’ve enjoyed several of his films.

 

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park Entrance Fee:

To enter the Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness Memorial Park grounds and explore it, visitors must pay an entrance fee:

• Adults (junior high school students and older): 550 yen
• Elementary school students: 300 yen
• Seniors (60 years and older) and individuals with disabilities (junior high school students and older): 500 yen

Special Offers:

• Presenting a ticket stub from the Yubari Coal Museum grants admission for 500 yen.
• Discounts are available for Yubari residents and JAF members.

Group Rates (20 or more people):

• Flat rate: 500 yen per person.

The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness Memorial Park Operating Hours

Last Saturday of April to September 30th: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

October 1st to the first Monday of November: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Note: The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time during both periods.

The park is open from the third Saturday in April to the first Monday in November.

 

Why visit The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness Memorial Park?

The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park in Yubari is a must-see for both fans of Japanese cinema and anyone seeking a place that celebrates love and happiness. With its rich historical exhibits, peaceful ambiance, and thoughtful renovations, this unique destination allows you to experience the timeless magic of the Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness while reflecting on the deeper meanings of joy, connection, and togetherness. Whether you're drawn to its cinematic roots or its universal themes, the park offers a truly memorable experience.

 

Getting to The Yellow Handkerchief Memorial Park

From Shin-yubari Station, walk to Shin-Yubari Eki mae Bus Stop and board the Yubari Shinai Sen “Yubarishi Sekitan Hakubutsukan” bus of the Yutetsu Bus. Get off at the Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi bus stop and walk for about 11 minutes (approximately 700 meters).

Travel time: 42 minutes

Fare: 650 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating