The park is named after the Man'yōshū, the oldest extant poetic anthology of Japan, which features a poem written about the Yugawara hot springs.
The footbath area is fed by a direct source of Yugawara's alkaline hot spring water.
The park layout utilizes the natural elevation changes of the Chitose River valley to create a tiered landscape.
Specific stone carvings placed throughout the trails feature poems that reference the local scenery from the Heian and Nara periods.
Man-yō Park is a scenic valley park in Yugawara, centered around the Chitose River and the Gensen-no-Yado area. The park features the 'Dokudami-no-Yu' footbath, which utilizes the natural hot spring water characteristic of Yugawara. A wooden footbridge leads visitors through a dense forested gorge alongside the waterfall known as Same-no-taki. The landscape is designed to evoke the atmosphere of the Man'yōshū, Japan's oldest collection of poetry, with various stones inscribed with verses. Pathways wind through moss-covered rocks and lush vegetation, connecting multiple rest areas. The park integrates traditional Japanese aesthetics with the geothermal resources of the surrounding region.
The wooden suspension bridge overlooking the waterfall and the mossy stones in the lower valley section.
Bring a small towel to dry your feet after using the public footbaths.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the terrain includes staircases and uneven stone paths.
Visit the 'Gen-sen' area inside the park to see the volcanic steam vents.
Keep a bottle of water, as the park is often humid due to the waterfall and forest canopy.
Do not attempt to swim in the Chitose River or the waterfall pool, as these areas are for viewing only.
Clean your feet before entering the footbaths and do not leave trash in the bins provided for personal items.
