[Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture] Plum housing complex with Senbonzakura at first glance! Okawara, the town of cherry blossoms and plum blossoms

Ogawara Town, located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, has the Shiroishi River flowing through the center of the town, and many migratory birds come here every year.

Approximately 1,200 cherry blossom trees line the banks of the Shiroishi River for approximately 8km, and it is known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Miyagi Prefecture, known as the ``Ichimoku Senbonzakura''.

History of Okawaramachi

Okawaramachi is deeply connected not only to cherry blossoms but also to plum blossoms, and the Heian period poet Sanekata Fujiwara wrote a waka poem saying, ``When the nightingale visits, I pick the plum blossoms of the village of Hikonu, and I don't know what to do with them.'' I am chanting.

Because of this waka poem, Okawaramachi later came to be called ``Umegaeda Manor,'' and even today, Okawaramachi is a production area for plums, which are promoted as a crop for the town's promotion, and continues to inherit its history as a ``hometown of plums.'' Masu.

Senbonzakura at first sight

The Hitome Senbonzakura, which blooms on the banks of the Shiroishi River with the Zao Mountain Range in the background, is a symbol of Okawaramachi and one of Miyagi's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

In 1923 and 1922 , 1,200 cherry trees were planted with donations from Mr. Kaijiro Takayama, a businessman from Okawara Town, stretches 8 km

1990 , it was selected as one of the ``100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots'' by the Japan Sakura Association, and 2020 marks 100th anniversary of the tree planting

The cherry blossom season is usually April every year, and the Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival is held to coincide with the blooming season, attracting visitors from all over Japan.

Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival

The Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival is held in early April when the cherry blossoms bloom. During the festival period, we are planning to sell ``Cherry Blossom Viewing Bento'', ``LED night cherry blossom illumination'', tourism products association shops and various other stalls, and stage events.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it will be held for the first time in four years since 2019, and for the first time in the Reiwa era, and will be held in March 2023.

It is scheduled to be held from the 31st to April 13th.

*Due to various circumstances, the "Ohanami Houseboat" will not operate in 2023.

INFORMATION

  • Period: March 31st (Friday) - April 13th (Thursday), 2020 *Subject to change depending on flowering status
  • Venue: Shiraishikawa Park (between Ogawara Bridge and Suehiro Bridge) 3 minutes walk from JR Ogawara Station
  • LED night cherry blossom illumination: 6pm to 10pm
  • Tourism Products Association Shop: From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Various stalls open from 10am to 9pm
  • Cherry blossom viewing bento sales 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. *Sales will end once sold out
  • JR slow driving: JR Tohoku Main Line between Ogawara Station and Funaoka Station *during cherry blossom viewing period
  • URL: Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival official website

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Collaboration between cherry blossoms and trains

Between Ogawara and Funaoka stations on the JR

During the cherry blossom blooming period, the JR will run at a reduced speed for 700 meters between Ogawara Station and Funaoka Station so that you

It is also a great photo spot where you can capture the cherry blossoms and the train in one frame, so at Shibata Senzakura Bridge, which connects Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, which is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and Hitome Senbonzakura, you can see trains passing through the cherry blossom trees in the viewfinder. Many photographers are rushing to capture it.

Hidden plum blossom spot Tsutsumi Bai Danchi

In 1930, during the former Kanegase Village era, the mountain was cleared to increase food production, plum saplings were planted, and about 60 farmers in the Tsutsumi area began working together.

At that time, the roads were not well maintained, so it is said that they carried sacks of harvested plums weighing about 40 kg on their backs. Currently, over 3,000 trees are cultivated on an area of ​​about 6 hectares, including varieties such as ``Shirakaga,'' ``Nanko,'' ``Hanakomi,'' and ``Ishikawa.''

Best time to see

The best time to see them is usually from mid-March to late March. The schedule varies depending on the weather, so we recommend gathering information on social media, etc.

The schedule varies depending on the weather, so we recommend gathering information on social media, etc.

Notes on viewing

Okawara Ume Danchi is not a tourist destination, but is an active farmland that produces edible plums and is open to the public as a courtesy to farmers.

While admiring the farmers, let's watch with good manners and be careful not to damage the plum trees or plum fruits, which are important products.

Ogawara Ume Festival

The Ogawara Plum Festival is held mainly by the Kanagase Plum Association, which produces and ships plums.

During the festival period, events will be held on the day of the festival, such as picking plums, selling them by weight, as much as you like, and sampling and selling corner of processed plum products.

By the way, please note that the event is not held in March, when plum blossoms bloom, but in June every year, when plum fruit is harvested!

INFORMATION

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