Considered Japan's oldest public park, created around 1800 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, lord of Shirakawa. Embracing the ideal of "lord and commoner enjoying together," Sadanobu opened this 2-km-circumference lake garden to all social classes. Designated a National Historic Site and Scenic Spot.

Nanko Park was created between 1800 and 1801 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, lord of the Shirakawa domain. Sadanobu, who had led the Kansei Reforms as senior councillor of the Tokugawa shogunate, laid out this garden on land south of Shirakawa Castle under the guiding ideal of "lord and commoner enjoying to…