[Akita] Enjoy flowers, historical sites, and hot springs at the same time! Yurihonjo City Historic Site “Honjo Park”

Honjo Park in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, is known as a famous spot where typical Japanese spring flowers such as cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom in abundance. In mid-April, cherry blossom viewing stalls line the streets, attracting many visitors from local residents to tourists. The park also has a pond and well-maintained walking trails, making it the perfect spot for a stroll while admiring the cherry blossoms and azaleas

But that's not all. Honjo Park is also an interesting historical site, a place full of history. We'd like to introduce you to Honjo Park, a famous spot located in Yurihonjo City, a municipality in the southern part of Akita Prefecture

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A historic park remaining in Yurihonjo City

Honjo Park, located about a 10-minute walk from Ugo-Honjo Station, is the site of a castle built by Honjo Buzen no Kami Mitsushige. Its distinctive feature is that it was built using sandbags and trenches, without stone walls. When you think of Japanese castles, you probably imagine high stone walls. However, the castle site that became Honjo Park was somewhat different from the image of a Japanese castle. During the Taisho era, the castle site was developed into a historic park, and is now a beloved place for citizens to relax

There are several routes into the park, including one that enters through a gate like this one

The historic gate that remains in the city center is like a symbol of Yurihonjo City's famous landmarks. There is a moat right next to the gate, and depending on the time of day, you can see lively children peering into the moat. Although it is a historic gate, it has become completely integrated into the lives of the local residents

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There's a cherry blossom festival in April! It's also a famous spot for azaleas

Honjo Park is a famous cherry blossom spot, and in season the cherry blossoms bloom in abundance within the park, creating a pink carpet-like scene. The Cherry Blossom Festival is held from mid-April, and many stalls are set up, including those selling potted plants, bekko candy, and Yurihonjo's local specialties

Once the cherry blossoms are gone, it's azalea season. Festivals are also held during the azalea season, and many events are held in the park. It's also fun to stroll through the park surrounded by blooming flowers

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The park also has a museum and hot springs

What's interesting about Honjo Park is that it has a historical museum called "Shushinkan," a pool, and a hot spring. The historical museum displays documents, paintings, folk crafts, and excavated earthenware related to the history of Yurihonjo City. History buffs will also find interesting armor on display

Admission to the Shushinkan is free. After visiting, it might be a good idea to take a trip to Tsurumai Onsen, a hot spring that floats like a palace on the pond in the park. Tsurumai Onsen's appearance next to the pond is said to resemble the Dragon Palace that appears in Japanese folk tales

This is also a scene from the museum located inside the park. Hanging from the kumiki ceiling is a Gotenmari, a specialty of Yurihonjo City. It is characterized by the intricate patterns that are drawn by hand, stitch by stitch. Gotenmari in various patterns, colors and sizes are sold in shops in Yurihonjo City, and Gotenmari like this can be seen on display in various places around the museum, station and other places

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lastly

We introduced Honjo Park in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. It is not uncommon for castle ruins to be turned into parks, but it is rare to see a park with both a hot spring and a swimming pool

During the cherry blossom season, you can take your time to enjoy the cherry blossoms and then learn about history at the museum. During the azalea season, you can enjoy the flowers and then soak in the hot springs. It's a place with excellent scenery where time flows slowly. If you're sightseeing in Akita, be sure to stop by

INFORMATION

name	Honjo Park
address	Ozaki, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, 015-0871
telephone number	0184-24-6372
URL	http://www.city.yurihonjo.lg.jp/www/contents/1137387496299/index.html
GOOGLE MAP

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