Smallest Park on Earth: Guinness World Record Discovery
Karina Ikedo
When you think of Japan, you might picture cherry blossoms, sushi, or those super speedy bullet trains zooming around. But Japan is also a big deal when it comes to breaking Guinness World Records! Whether ridiculously tiny or impressively huge, Japan is snagging records left and right.
The latest jaw-dropper? A park in Nagaizumi, Shizuoka Prefecture, just claimed the title of the smallest park in the world. We’re not talking little park-with-a-bench small; we’re talking tiny enough to fit in your pocket. Keep reading as we will scroll through fascinating Guinness World Records that have been set in Japan!
Nagaizumi’s Pocket-Sized Park
Nagaizumi, a peaceful town in Shizuoka, just made the news for something quirky: a park that fits on a desk. It measures only 0.24 square meters (258 square feet), smaller than your average floor mat. Guinness World Records confirmed it’s the smallest park on Earth. Big title, teeny space! For size reference, it’s about as big as two A3 papers side by side.
So how did this micro-park come to be?
It all started in 1988 when a land project left behind a random sliver of unused space in town. Instead of wasting it, the town installed a tiny bench for pedestrians to chill. Locals started calling it the world’s smallest park, and social media ran with it.
The buzz became so big that the town registered it as an official park and applied for Guinness certification. It beat the old record holder, Portland’s Mill Ends Park, by 0.05 square meters (77 square inches).
Japan’s Record-Breaking Moments: 4 More Fascinating Feats
Japan is all about precision, creativity, and good vibes, and it’s landed them some pretty cool world records along the way. Let’s check out four more Guinness titles that put Japan on the map—no wild stuff, just pure awesome!
The Largest Origami Crane (2009)
In 2009, Hiroshima City University honored Sadako Sasaki by folding the world’s largest origami (Japanese art of paper folding) crane. And they nailed it! The crane had an 81.94-foot wingspan and used just one giant sheet of paper.
Sadako folded 1,000 cranes while fighting leukemia from the Hiroshima bombing. This crane wasn’t just a record-breaker but a symbol of peace, hope, and remembering what matters. The synchronized dance lasted over a minute, and not a single bot missed a beat.
The World’s Most Expensive Bento Box (2018)
Leave it to Japan to turn lunch into a luxury experience. The most expensive bento (lunch box) ever sold came with a jaw-dropping price tag of JP¥292,929 (US$2,740). Created by Star Festival Inc. in Tokyo’s trendy Shibuya district, this bento was no ordinary lunchbox. For that gourmet touch, it was packed with 10 kinds of premium beef over rice, citrus, and pear sauce.
Only five of these beauties were sold online between November 2017 and March 2018, and yep, they sold out. Why not treat yourself… to a bento that costs more than a round-trip ticket to Tokyo? It’s fancy, flavorful, and fabulously over-the-top.
Most Cat Cafés per Country (2013)
Japan is the ultimate cat café capital, with over 300 spots for feline fans to get their cuddle fix. Tokyo alone had more than 60 cat cafés back in 2016, and that number has only grown since. The first cat café in Japan opened in Osaka in 2004, and people loved it. Many apartments in Japan don’t allow pets, especially in big cities like Tokyo. So, instead of owning pets, people visit cafés to relax and hang out with cats after a long day.
But it’s not just cats anymore. Japan took the idea and ran with it. Now there are dog cafés, rabbit cafés, and even reptile cafés. You can sip coffee beside a goldfish tank or have tea while holding an owl. It’s the perfect way to unwind with your favorite animals; no landlord approval is needed.
Can’t make it out here, but do you want to try some exclusive Japanese treats? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese treats directly from Japan!
Largest Rice Cracker (2018)
The biggest rice cracker ever made was 2.60 square meters (28 square feet). Yep, that’s the size of a dining table. The Committee of Inzai Furusato Festival created it in a mall parking lot in Chiba, Japan. The giant cracker was made on October 13, 2018, and crushed the record books.
They used 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of white rice to achieve the perfect crunch and golden finish. They also needed 16 liters of water (3.5 gallons) and 2 liters (2 quarts) of soy sauce. The final cracker weighed 21.4 kilograms (47 pounds) and had a diameter of 1.82 meters (6 feet) . Now imagine trying to fit that in your lunchbox!
Why is Japan so big on Guinness World Records?
People love Japan’s Guinness World Records because they’re full of culture, creativity, and serious attention to detail. From tiny parks to giant rice crackers, imagination, teamwork, and playfulness are always behind each record. These records aren’t just about big numbers. They come with stories, meanings, and plenty of heart.
You might stroll past the world’s tiniest park in Nagaizumi and not even realize it. One thing is for sure. Japan makes a huge impact, even in the smallest spaces. Have a favorite Guinness World Record from Japan—or maybe even one you’d like to attempt yourself? Let us know in the comments below!
Sources
- Japan News. “Japan Park Recognized as World’s Smallest Park by Guinness World Records; Size Equivalent to 2 Sheets of A3 Paper“.
- Guinness World Records.”Origami-largest paper crane.”
- Guinness World Records. “Most expensive bento (meal in a box)“.
- Guinness World Records. “Most cat cafes per country“.
- Guinness World Records. “Largest rice cracker“.
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