[Akita] An unknown place to view cherry blossoms at night? Stroll through Seishi Park, where Buddhist ruins remain

Spring is the season of beautiful flowers. Akita Prefecture is a prefecture rich in greenery, so of course there are many flower spots throughout the prefecture. Speaking of spring, cherry blossoms are the most typical. Speaking of spring flowers, plum blossoms and rape blossoms are also famous, but when it comes to spring flowers in Japan, it is definitely cherry blossoms. I feel that spring in Japan cannot begin without seeing and enjoying the cherry blossoms.

This time we will introduce you to the night cherry blossoms at Seishi Park, which is a famous place in Akita Prefecture where cherry blossoms bloom the earliest. Of course, it's beautiful during the day, but it's no less beautiful at night. This park is the only place where you can enjoy the contrast between Mt. Chokai in the hazy night sky and the illuminated cherry blossoms.

A park where you can enjoy cherry blossoms and the sacred mountain Mt. Chokai at the same time.

Seishi Park in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Akita Prefecture. Around 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees are planted around the pond called Kannongata, and in spring they bloom beautifully. It is said that these cherry blossoms were planted by returnees from the Russo-Japanese War. As the name suggests, there are many statues of Kannon around Kannon Lagoon, and the park itself is a symbol of peace.

Of course, cherry blossom viewing parties are held in the spring, and many people visit the area day and night. During the day, the blue sky and cherry blossoms shimmering on the surface of the lake are beautiful, and the 2,000-meter-class volcano, Mt. Chokai, is clearly visible. The best time to see the flowers is from mid-April to late April, but by this time there is still a lot of snow on Mt. Chokai. It's a somewhat unusual sight where you can see snow and cherry blossoms at the same time.

Illuminated cherry blossom walkway at night

There are also stalls selling cherry blossom viewing accessories in the park. At night, the lights of the shops shine brightly, transforming the path into a very magical stroll. Many elderly people and children visit during the day, but many adults visit at night in search of this fantastical scene. There is also a lawn in the park, so you can often see people laying out blue tarpaulins and enjoying drinks.

When the wind blows, the surrounding cherry blossoms sway all at once, and the words ``hanatari'' flash through my mind.

If you follow the road from the stall, you will see a row of cherry blossom trees illuminated. Behind the cherry blossom trees is a pond called Kannongata, which is filled with water. Kannon statues are placed around the pond, and it is said that dirt from 33 locations in Shikoku is buried at the feet of Kannon statues.

There are rows of cherry blossom trees surrounding the pond, which are lit up. The circumference of the pond is approximately 1.2 km, making it a perfect walking course. Locals and tourists could be seen walking leisurely while admiring the cherry blossoms at night. The contrast between the cherry blossoms at night, the pond, and Mt. Chokai is very beautiful.

The park is also a popular spot for crabfish fishing. Some people are fishing while watching the cherry blossoms at night.

lastly

Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, is a municipality located on the border with Yamagata Prefecture. As it is the southernmost part of Akita Prefecture, it is the first municipality in the prefecture where cherry blossoms bloom. For this reason, we are putting a lot of effort into maintaining the cherry blossoms and parks, and the area is characterized by many famous spots where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while walking leisurely.

Among them, Seishi Park is a very attractive place not only for daytime cherry blossoms but also for night cherry blossoms. It is a great location where you can see Mt. Chokai wearing a snow hat while watching the cherry blossoms at night, so please come and visit us. Don't forget your camera!

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