[Shibata District, Miyagi Prefecture] One of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Miyagi! Funaoka Castle Ruins Park

Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, located in Shibata Town in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is one of Miyagi's best spots, where the approximately 1,000 cherry trees in the park and the ``Hitome Senbonzakura'' row of cherry blossom trees along the Shiroishi River embankment that flows through the castle town come together to create a beautiful cherry blossom landscape. It is a famous spot for cherry blossoms.

In 1990, along with Hitome Senbonzakura, it was selected as the only place in Miyagi Prefecture to be selected as one of the ``100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan,'' and it is crowded with over 200,000 cherry blossom viewing visitors every year during the peak viewing season in mid-April.

History of Funaoka Castle Ruins Park

Funaoka Castle is the ruins of a mansion where the Shibata clan, a vassal of the Date family, resided.

He suddenly became famous nationwide in the NHK Taiga drama ``Mominoki wa Remain''.

The top of the mountain is the Honmaru, the halfway point is the Ninomaru, and the plaza you enter from the Otemon Gate is the ruins of the Sannomaru.

Due to the steep terrain of Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, a ``lift car'', a cable car, was installed in 1970.

After that, due to its deterioration, it was changed to the current "slope car" in October 1996, and continues to exist today.

The slope car stretches 305m from the parking lot to the top of the park, and you can enjoy the cherry blossom tunnel from the window, especially during the cherry blossom season.

Also, the green slope car that runs through the tunnel of pink cherry blossoms is very cute, and you can enjoy the cherry blossom scenery that can only be seen here.

Funaoka Heiwa Kannon statue

The Funaoka Heiwa Kannon statue, which stands on the top of the mountain in Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, was erected in 1975 by the late Tokusaburo Noguchi, a native of the area, for the purpose of eternal world peace, the prosperity of the hometown, providing sustenance to his ancestors, and in memory of his late wife.

The height of the statue is 20m, 24m including the pedestal, and there is actually a spiral staircase inside the statue that allows you to tour the inside of the statue.

Previously, you could go inside the statue, but unfortunately, you can't go inside now because part of its body was damaged during the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Community Garden Hananooka Shibata

"Community Garden Hananooka Shibata" is an open garden located at the top of Funaoka Castle Ruins Park.

This community garden, which has been painstakingly cultivated by the residents of Shibata Town, offers over 100 types of flowers and trees, including tulips and roses, to enjoy.

Colorful flowers with cherry blossoms in the background create a spring-like, relaxing landscape.

Best time to see cherry blossoms

The best time to see cherry blossoms is usually from early to mid-April.

The Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival is held during the cherry blossom season.

Not only can you enjoy the splendid scenery of the park where the entire mountain is dyed in cherry blossom color, but from the top of the mountain you can also see the ``Hitome Senbonzakura'' below, allowing you to fully enjoy the spring atmosphere.

The cherry blossoms are illuminated at night, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery not only during the day but also at night.

Shibata Chisakura Bridge

Shibata Senzakura Bridge, which opened on March 29, 2015, is a pedestrian bridge that connects Funaoka Castle Ruins Park in Shibata Town, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, to the Shiroishi River embankment.

The name ``Shibata Senzakura Bridge'' comes from the meaning of connecting 1,000 cherry blossoms at a glance, and the hope that the beautiful cherry blossoms will continue to bloom for a thousand years to come.

The opening of this pedestrian bridge has made it dramatically easier to access Senbon in Funaoka Castle Ruins Park and the Shiroishi River embankment, making it possible to enjoy two famous cherry blossom viewing spots at once.

Winter illumination “Shibata Fantasy Illumination”

In winter, Shibata Town changes from a town of flowers to a town of lights.

In 2022, "Shibata Fantasy Illumination 2022" was held at Funaoka Castle Ruins Park from December 2nd to December 30th.

The sound and light production seen from the slope car and the night view from the observation deck at the top of the mountain provide a fantastical scenery that is different from the Funaoka Castle Ruins Park in spring.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Funaoka Garrison is also a hidden cherry blossom spot

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Funaoka Garrison, which has a vast 176 hectare site, is a hidden cherry blossom spot with approximately 700 cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

The Funaoka Garrison Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year in mid-April when the cherry blossoms bloom and is open to the public.

During the event, there will be a founding ceremony, music performances, and ride experiences, and the cherry blossoms will be illuminated at night until 8 p.m.

The area is crowded with people enjoying cherry blossom viewing on the wide lawn, centered around the cherry blossom tunnel.

However, the general public is not allowed to enter except during the Funaoka Garrison Cherry Blossom Festival, so don't forget to check the schedule! !