A Quiet Hidden Gem for a Stroll: A Dog-Friendly Drive to Yakuoji Mizube Park in Koga

“What should we do today? I’m not really in the mood for a long trip, so maybe just a local walk with the dog…”

On mornings like that, Yakuoji Mizube Park in Koga City, Fukuoka, is the first place that pops into my head.

Today, I’d like to introduce Yakuoji Mizube Park and its surrounding spots:

• Yakuoji Mizube Park
• Gelato shop “Nicofrutta”
• Yakuoji no Yu “Onioso”

Driving out for a walk with Elmo (my French Bulldog) varies—some days we’re pumped for a long excursion, and other days we’re just in a mellow “let’s just go somewhere” mood.

Yakuoji Mizube Park is my ultimate “default” choice.

When leaving the house, the vibe is usually, “Alright, let’s just head to Yakuoji,” as I casually turn the steering wheel in that direction.

Elmo seems to recognize the route, too. As soon as the car starts heading toward the mountains, he gets restless in the back seat and stares intently out the window. That sight is just adorable.

On this particular day, I didn’t have any big plans.

I just felt like avoiding crowds and taking a leisurely stroll through nature, so I ended up at Yakuoji as usual.

The reason I keep coming back is the perfect distance—not too far—and the fact that it offers “accessible nature” that fits right into daily life.

My Favorite Waterside Park: Easy Parking, Restrooms, and Peaceful Trails

When you arrive at Yakuoji Mizube Park, the first thing you’ll appreciate is how easy the parking and restrooms are to use. The parking lot holds about ten-plus cars; Koga City’s official guide says 12 spaces.

Right nearby, there are well-maintained, clean restrooms. There’s even a multi-purpose/accessible toilet, and the overall impression—both inside and out—is that the facilities are properly cared for.

When you’re out for a long walk with a dog, restroom availability is surprisingly important, so this is a major plus.

At the heart of the park is Kawachi-ike, a large agricultural pond, surrounded by a well-kept walking path. The loop is about 1km (roughly 0.6 miles), which is the perfect distance for a light walk.

Walking with Elmo, we’re surrounded by mountain greenery, groves of trees, and birdsong.Even on weekends, it’s rarely crowded, giving it a lovely “quiet hidden gem” atmosphere.

There are benches and covered gazebos scattered throughout, so I can stop to give Elmo some water or take a little break myself.

Rather than a noisy, crowded plaza, I think I honestly prefer this kind of quiet time—just me and Elmo, walking steadily through the tranquil waterside air.

Watch Out for Deer Droppings? The “Real” Way to Navigate Yakuoji Mizube Park

Because Yakuoji Mizube Park is so rich in nature, it has a bit of a wild side.

Once, while walking here, I actually spotted a deer nearby and realized, “Oh, we really are deep in the mountains.”

As a remnant of that, you’ll often find quite a bit of deer droppings in the park’s open plaza areas. Because of this, I always make sure to wear shoes I don’t mind getting a little dirty.

As I’m trotting along the grass with Elmo, I’ll suddenly spot little black pellets at our feet…

Elmo doesn’t seem to care, but internally I’m panicking, thinking, “Please don’t step on that!” haha.

Also, there are tables and benches throughout the park, but if they haven’t been used in a while, they can get quite covered in leaves and dust.

So, it’s a good idea to bring a small “cleaning kit” consisting of:

• Wet wipes
• A towel for a quick wipe-down
• A picnic sheet (if needed)Bringing these ensures peace of mind. Even if you think, “Let’s have a snack here,” your mood can drop if the table is all gritty.

Perfect for Families: Splash Around in the Stream

One of my favorite things about Yakuoji Mizube Park is the area where the stream flows. There’s a natural flow of water diverted from upstream, and since many spots are shallow and calm, it’s perfect for kids to play in the water.

On hot summer days, you’ll see little kids splashing around in sandals, which makes even me feel refreshed just watching them. The water is shallow enough that parents can watch over them without being too on edge—it’s just the right balance.

As for Elmo, he isn’t exactly a huge fan of water, but when I take him near the stream, he’ll cautiously dip just a front paw in or stare intently at falling leaves floating by.

That conflicted expression—like he wants to go in but is a little scared—is just so cute.

The riverside has plenty of shade, and even in midsummer, there’s a slightly cool breeze. I pace our walk by moving between sun and shade to make sure Elmo doesn’t get too out of breath.

If you’re coming with a family, bring:

• Sandals that can get wet
• A change of clothes
• TowelsWith these, you can easily enjoy a combination of a walk, playing in the stream, and a little picnic.A waterside park that’s friendly to both dogs and kids is actually quite a rare find.

Reward Time at “Nicofrutta,” the Gelato Shop in the Woods

Once we’ve finished our loop around the park and are feeling satisfied, my brain automatically goes to “Nicofrutta,” located right near the park.

It’s a tiny processing workshop and shop tucked away in the forest, selling jams, gelato, and bread made with local fruits and vegetables.

They’re only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, which adds to that special “weekend-only forest gelato shop” vibe.

I highly recommend their most popular flavor: Pistachio. The moment you take a bite, the aroma of pistachio wafts through your nose. The balance between the creaminess and the rich nuttiness is incredible.

The sweetness is just right, leaving the roasty, deep flavor of the pistachio lingering on your palate. It’s so satisfying—less like “ice cream” and more like “a whole pistachio turned into a dessert”—that even though I’m curious about other flavors, I always end up choosing pistachio.

Ending the Day at “Onioso” Inn (If Your Dog Can Wait in the Car)

If your dog is the type that can comfortably wait in the car, I have one more recommendation to top off your walk and sweets: “Yakuoji no Yu Onioso.”

Onioso is a small inn located in the Yakuoji countryside. Surrounded by green mountains, it’s an incredibly quiet hot spring inn where you can hear wild birds chirping and the sound of the river.

It’s close to the park, and they welcome day-trip visitors for the baths or just for a meal.

The highlight here is definitely the food and the water. They pride themselves on dishes using locally grown vegetables and Yakuoji’s natural water. Their signature dish is “Torisuki” (chicken sukiyaki).

The broth is rich with chicken umami and packed with vegetables.

Filling your stomach with this chicken sukiyaki after a long walk, and then warming up in the hot spring… it’s the ultimate reward package.

They also have jiggly warabi-mochi (bracken starch dumplings). Finishing with the “Torisuki → Hot Spring → Warabi-mochi” combo is a guaranteed way to satisfy both your heart and your stomach.

Of course, this isn’t a dog-friendly facility, so this is strictly for those with “dogs who can safely and comfortably wait in the car.” If your dog is the type to fall fast asleep after a walk, a quick soak in the hot spring might be a realistic treat for the owner.

Unfortunately for me, Elmo isn’t the type who can wait in the car, so no luck there!

My “Go-To” Local Drive and Walk Route

In the end, the route from Yakuoji Mizube Park to Nicofrutta and Onioso is my “when in doubt, go here” course because:

• It’s close and easy to get to.
• The parking and restrooms are convenient.
• It’s not too crowded, allowing for a quiet walk with my dog.
• The stream is great for kids, making it family-friendly.
• You can top it off with gelato, a hot spring, or a great meal.

Of course, the “real” side of it—like the deer droppings or the slightly dusty tables—is all part of the park’s character.

Even so, when I’m walking with Elmo, listening only to the sound of the water, the birds, and the leaves rustling in the wind, there are moments when my heart feels remarkably light.

It’s not a flashy, breathtaking view, but I love it for what it is: nature that blends into daily life and makes you think, “I might just come back again next week.”

Whether it’s cherry blossom season, a summer evening, or the autumn foliage, I can picture myself here—pistachio gelato in one hand, watching Elmo’s sleepy profile as we walk.