World's Tiniest Park: Japan's ¥2.5 Million, 0.24 Square Meter Wonder

A park in Nagaizumi Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, was recognized by the Guinness World Records website on December 25th of last year as the world's smallest park – its area is only 0.24 square meters, equivalent to the size of four sheets of A4 paper, and the park's wooden bench can only accommodate one person sitting down. Recently, following media reports, the park has become a popular photo spot, attracting a large number of tourists.

(The world's smallest park.)

The park was built using leftover land from road construction and consists of square bricks, a raised stool, a small plant, and two stones, one of which is engraved with the town's official flower.

The park was built in 1988 and is located about 300 meters from the local town hall, just over an hour's drive from Tokyo. At the time, a former official of Nagaizumi Town, inspired by Mill Ends Park in Oregon, USA, proposed the idea of building the world's smallest park.

Subsequently, they officially decided in 2023 to challenge the world record. Regarding the costs associated with the Guinness World Records challenge, the town raised approximately 2.5 million yen (about 127,000 RMB) through government budgets, online fundraising, and private sector donations. They also hired a surveyor to measure the land and submitted materials proving that the park had existed for more than five years.