Nishiyama Park (Sabae), Fukui

About 50,000 azaleas colour the hillside at one of the top azalea spots on the Sea of Japan side, and a free zoo has red pandas. Sabae locals' favourite park.

A park made by a feudal lord, over 150 years old

Nishiyama Park (Sabae) is a park of about 56 hectares in the centre of Sabae, Fukui Prefecture. It began at the end of the Edo period, when Manabe Akikatsu, the seventh lord of the Sabae domain, laid out the area around Mount Chosenji as a place for people to relax. In 1856 it was named Kyoyokei, in the Meiji era it became a town park, and in 1914 it was given its present name, Nishiyama Park.

Its history of more than 150 years and its natural beauty have earned it a place among Japan's "100 Historic Parks". Along with lawns and a Japanese garden, there is Panda Land, a big play area with equipment for 14 different kinds of play, and it is popular with local families.

Azaleas in May and flowers all year round

The star attraction is the park's roughly 50,000 azalea bushes. Sabae promotes it as the finest azalea spot on the Sea of Japan side, and when they are at their best in early May, around Golden Week (a run of public holidays from late April to early May), the Azalea Festival is held and the park is packed.

The other seasons have plenty to see too. In spring about 1,000 cherry trees bloom and are lit up at night. In early summer there are about 2,500 irises and wisteria, and in autumn about 1,600 maples turn red. In winter the trees are dusted with snow and there is Snow Festa, an event for playing in the snow.

A free zoo known for its red pandas

Inside the park is the city-run Nishiyama Zoo, which is free to enter. It puts a lot of effort into keeping and breeding red pandas, and in September 2026 it was again inviting name suggestions for a newborn baby. It also keeps white-handed gibbons, squirrel monkeys and other animals.

The zoo has regular closing days. Check opening hours and closing days on Sabae City's official website.

Getting there

It is just a short walk from Nishiyama-koen Station on the Fukui Railway. From JR Sabae Station it is about a 20-minute walk. By car it is about five minutes from Sabae IC (interchange) on the Hokuriku Expressway, and there is a free car park.

Tips

It gets especially crowded during the Azalea Festival. The Fukui Railway is more convenient than driving, as the park is right by the station.
You can also watch the red pandas on the live camera on the zoo's official website and on social media. Check for news such as when a baby goes on show before you go.
For autumn colour, the highlight is the maples in the Kyoyo Garden, a Japanese garden in the park.

Sources

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Nishiyama Park (Sabae)