By Aino station one stop from Kakegawa, Shizuoka ECOPA Stadium was built for the 2002 World Cup, and now hosts music concerts, athletic events, and J-League soccer games. Behind and around the stadium there are a number of nature trails, some gentle and paved, some more challenging through thicker forest. There are also plenty of (small) animals to be seen: I saw dragonflies basking on railings, frogs jumping into a pond like kids from a pier, and a snake slithering across the path not two meters in front of me! It's a good place to get some exercise while enjoying the scenery and fresh air.
- 1 min read
ECOPA Nature Walks
A walk in the woods around a handsome stadium

By Peter Sidell
Community writer

A sculpture on the approach to the stadium

The stadium itself, with another sculpture

Just a few minutes' walk away, you're surrounded by peaceful forest

Some of the trails go up and down hills

Looking down through the tall trees

Out of the woods you find some very pleasant scenery

Here's where the frogs were jumping into the pond

Dragonflies sometimes have to take a break

A view of the stadium from a hilltop

This tranquil river runs nearby

I met this chap on the path back to the stadium
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Iain Stanley
10 years ago
Shizuoka has much more than I thought!!
1 comment in total
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