Park

Best for kids during summer for playing with water

Takeda Waterwheel Melody park is located in an idyllic district of Takeda in Sakai City which is surrounded by beautiful mountains with flow of Takeda River in the view. The park was opened in 2010. Those waterwheels in the park are the two largest waterwheels in entire region of Hokuriku. One is 8 meters and another one is 5 meters in diameter. Ever since those massive structures became the new symbol of Takeda. ** Sound of Takeda たけだの響き There is a gigantic structure of melody chime called " Takeda no Hibiki " plays signature sound of Takeda which gently resonates through the entire mountainous village of Takeda. The melody chime is a creation of local high school ( Harue Kogyo High School ). It plays a song " Our favorite view " written by local artist " Takako Hina " every half an hour. Drawing power from the electricity generated by those waterwheels, cute animal characters start hitting hammers into the chimes to play music. It operates from 9:00 to 17:00. ** Takedaya ( Shop of Takeda ) たけだや The shop built in this park sells fresh vegetables harvested in local area. The shop also sell some rice processed food such as Okowa ( steamed mochi rice ), Mochi ( rice cake ) etc. There is a space for you to sit and relax. This place serve buckwheat noodle of local specialty called Takeda Soba as well as handmade pudding and ice cream. Opens from 9:00 to 16:00 ( opens until 17:00 for weekends and national holidays ). ( Trans-word+ : TGM Japan Guide )

Takeda Water Wheel Melody Park is a quirky little place in a town you might not otherwise notice as you drive through. Google's characterization of this place as a 'tourist information center' is not really accurate, although the friendly staff will be happy to tell you about the local area (but like most places in Japan, you will have to speak to them in Japanese). Here you can buy some very reasonably priced local fresh produce or, weirdly, oversize shogi (Japanese chess) pieces for the equivalent of a couple of hundred bucks. There is also a kitchen and the staff will also whip you up a bowl of soba or udon noodles. Soft serve ice-cream is also available in a variety of flavors.In spring they also sell oyaki (bread balls with a kind of bitter pickled spinach inside) which can be very pleasant to eat. It's never crowded here, but it's an important hub for the town. You will often seen cyclists stopping here before they attack the last climb towards Yamanaka-Onsen. It's also at the mid-point of the best trail run course on the Fukui-Ishikawa boarder, after linking the summits of Kanmuri peak, Mt. Johouji and Mt. Takekurabe you descend to Takeda, refuel on a bowl of soba, maybe an ice-cream before continuing north over Mt. Hitomoshi, Mt. Kogura and Fujisha Peak, then taking the road up to Yamanaka Onsen. (To be sure this is a pretty epic run, we're talking about 50km with 3000m of climbing. I don't know anyone else who has successfully completed this so if you do it please let me know)

2020/11/22 (Sun) afternoon I also like the hanging cherry blossoms in spring, but today I stopped by waiting for Takeda's oiling time. The scenery of the water wheel and the bright red autumn leaves is healed. It's like the music box of Haruko and the bell that NHK is proud of, so today I played with it. Since there is no black keyboard on the piano, I played tulips and acorns, which are normal notes. You can do it (laughs) I have to practice a decent song by the time I come. I entered because there was a rest area and a shop. 80 yen is cheap with radish leaves! I'm in a pinch this month, so I'm closing my wallet. I wonder if I can buy a lot next time.

It was a beautiful place ◎ The water wheel is amazing. Coffee, soft serve ice cream, vegetables, etc. are small, but there is a shop and terrace seats.