Japan’s Most Dangerous Slide and the Lost Cherry Blossom Path
In Imabari City, atop Midorinofurusato Koen Tamokuteki Park, lies a hill offering a panoramic view of the city amidst cherry blossom season.
This spot has long been cherished by local families for hanami, or flower viewing, during spring. The park’s slide, nestled under the cherry trees, was a beloved symbol of spring’s arrival for the community.
However, this picturesque scene took an unexpected turn due to a viral video.
A tourist’s reckless act of sliding down the wet slide, despite its slippery condition, sparked controversy and branded it as “the most dangerous slide in Japan.”
This drew global attention and led to criticism of the slide itself as a safety hazard.
About Japan’s Most Dangerous Slide
Slides are a classic staple of park playgrounds, but like any play equipment, they’re not absolutely safe and can lead to accidents if used improperly.
Typically, slides are designed to ensure a moderate speed through friction, allowing for slow and safe enjoyment under normal circumstances.
However, slides can become significantly faster and more dangerous when wet, either from rain or after rainfall, a condition not typically intended for sliding due to the obvious risk of getting wet.
Despite this, there were no specific measures in place to restrict slide use during wet conditions, as they are meant to be enjoyed as part of the park’s playground equipment.
Local residents had enjoyed the slide for years without incident, making the reckless behavior of sliding in such conditions for amusement a complete surprise to them.
Following the spread of the video on social media as “the most dangerous slide in Japan,” the situation worsened as more people became intrigued by the idea of experiencing this so-called danger for themselves.
Some even prepared low-friction materials to increase their speed on purpose, seeking the thrill of the slide, further exacerbating the situation.
This situation became a source of concern for the park’s management team. Despite discussions on how to address the issue with the slide, outright banning the act of sliding was not feasible.
As a result, the decision was made to close off the slide, and it was ultimately removed.
Thus, a place of memories and the beautiful scenery under the cherry blossoms for the local community was lost forever. However, the memories of beautiful childhood scenes continue to live on in the hearts of those who experienced them.
Access and Surrounding Information
- Location: 258-1 Asakura Shimo-Otsu, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
- Parking: Available (about 150 spaces)
- Fee: Free
- Admission: Free, open all year round
- Bobsled Use Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a holiday, the next day is off)
- Contact Information: 0898-56-2500
(Imabari City Hall Asakura Branch, Resident Services Division)