Parque Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi Park is a Japanese-style garden and public park in Pamplona, the capital of Navarre in northern Spain. Tucked into the northern part of the city, it offers visitors something quite different from the usual image of Pamplona as the home of the running of the bulls: a genuine slice of Japanese landscape design set down in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula.

Why does Pamplona have a Japanese park?

The park dates back to 1997 and takes its name from Yamaguchi, the Japanese city that has been twinned with Pamplona since 1980. The friendship between the two cities is rooted in a much older story: Navarre was the birthplace of St. Francis Xavier, the 16th-century missionary who traveled to Japan and preached in the Yamaguchi region among other places. That historical thread became the basis for the modern sister-city relationship, and the park stands as its living, growing tribute. Japanese landscape architects were brought in to design the garden, giving it an authentic layout rather than a stylized imitation.

What is inside the Japanese garden?

At the heart of the site is a Japanese garden covering roughly 4,000 square meters, planted with around 400 trees and more than 600 plant species. The planting scheme was designed to change character across the seasons, so a visit in spring, summer, autumn, or winter reveals a noticeably different palette of colors and textures. Classic elements of Japanese garden design appear throughout: an artificial geyser-style fountain, a raised stilt house, a pond crossed by a small bridge with a waterfall feeding into it, and carefully chosen shrubs and ornamental trees, several of them species native to Japan. The paths are laid out to encourage a slow, contemplative walk rather than a quick pass-through.

What else is in the wider park?

The Japanese garden is only part of a much larger green space — the full park covers about 85,000 square meters. Within its grounds stands the Pamplona Planetarium, which runs its own schedule of shows and exhibitions, making the park a destination for stargazers as well as garden enthusiasts. Near the planetarium sits a sculpture by Jorge Oteiza, one of the leading Spanish sculptors of the 20th century, titled "Momento espiritual" (Spiritual Moment). The park also has a small children's playground and an outdoor circuit with stations for basic exercise, so it draws both tourists and local residents looking for a place to relax or stay active outdoors.

Who is this park good for?

Yamaguchi Park works well as a quiet break from the busier, more famous parts of Pamplona, including the historic center associated with the San Fermín festival. It suits travelers who want a slower-paced stop for a walk among greenery or photos of a Japanese garden in any season. Families traveling with children can make use of the playground, while anyone with an interest in astronomy can time a visit around a planetarium show.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Yamaguchi Park located? It sits in the northern part of Pamplona, in the region of Navarre, in northern Spain.

Why is it called Yamaguchi Park? It's named after Yamaguchi, Japan, Pamplona's twin city since 1980 — a relationship inspired by the 16th-century mission of Navarre-born St. Francis Xavier to Japan.

Is there an entrance fee? It is a public municipal park, open in the same way as Pamplona's other city parks.

What can visitors see besides the Japanese garden? The Pamplona Planetarium is located inside the park grounds, along with a sculpture by Jorge Oteiza called "Momento espiritual" near the planetarium.

Is the park suitable for children? Yes, there is a small children's playground on site, as well as an outdoor exercise circuit for older visitors.