Akita: A hidden cherry blossom viewing spot at night? Stroll through Seishi Park, home to Buddhist ruins

Spring is here, the season of beautiful flowers. Akita Prefecture is a prefecture rich in greenery, so naturally there are many famous flower spots throughout the prefecture. When you think of spring, the cherry blossoms are the most representative. While plum blossoms and rape blossoms are also famous spring flowers, the cherry blossom is the flower of spring in Japan. It really feels like spring in Japan hasn't begun without seeing the cherry blossoms and enjoying flower viewing

This time, we will introduce the night cherry blossoms at Seishi Park, a famous spot in Akita Prefecture where the cherry blossoms bloom earliest. Of course, it is beautiful during the day, but it is just as beautiful at night. This park is the only place where you can enjoy the contrast between the illuminated cherry blossoms and Mt. Chokai, which is hazy in the night sky

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

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

Of course, cherry blossom viewing events are held in the spring, attracting many people day and night. During the day, the blue sky and cherry blossoms shimmering on the lake's surface are beautiful, and the 2,000-meter-high volcano, Mt. Chokai, stands out clearly. The best time to see the flowers is from mid- to late April, but at this time, Mt. Chokai is still covered in a lot of snow. It's a rather unusual sight to see both snow and cherry blossoms at the same time

Illuminated cherry blossom walking path

There are also stalls set up in the park, a staple of cherry blossom viewing. At night, the lights of the stalls shine brightly, transforming the walking path into a truly fantastical place. Many elderly people and children visit during the day, but at night, many adults come to enjoy this fantastical scenery. The park also has a lawn, so you can often see people spreading out blue tarps and enjoying a drink

When the wind blows, the surrounding cherry blossoms sway all at once, and the words "flower lights" come to mind

If you continue along the road from the stall, you will come across a row of illuminated cherry blossom trees. Behind the cherry trees is a pond filled with water called Kannongata. Statues of Kannon are placed around the pond, and soil from the 33 temples of Shikoku is buried at the feet of the statues

The pond is surrounded by a row of illuminated cherry blossom trees. The circumference of the pond is about 1.2 kilometers, making it a perfect walking course. Locals and tourists can be seen leisurely strolling around the pond, admiring the cherry blossoms at night. The contrast between the cherry blossoms, the pond, and Mt. Chokai at night is very beautiful

The park is also a popular spot for fishing for crucian carp, and some people enjoy fishing while admiring the cherry blossoms at night

lastly

Nikaho City in Akita Prefecture is a municipality located on the border with Yamagata Prefecture. As it is the southernmost municipality in Akita Prefecture, it is the municipality where cherry blossoms bloom the earliest in the prefecture. For this reason, the city has put a lot of effort into maintaining its cherry blossoms and parks, and is characterized by many famous spots where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while taking a leisurely stroll

Seishi Park is a particularly attractive spot, not only for its cherry blossoms during the day, but also for its cherry blossoms at night. It's a great location to see Mount Chokai covered in snow while admiring the cherry blossoms at night, so be sure to visit. Don't forget your camera!

INFORMATION

ako

A writer living in Akita Prefecture. I will be sharing the charms of Akita, from the more obscure to the more popular!