Senshu Park, the best cherry blossom viewing spot in Akita City

A park built on the site of Kubota Castle, the former residence of the Satake clan

Senshu Park in Akita City, Akita Prefecture, is the site of Kubota Castle, the residence of the Satake clan, the feudal lords of Akita. It has been loved by Akita citizens since it was developed as a park in 1896, designed by Nagaoka Yasuhei. The name is said to come from combining the character "sen" (thousand), which means "autumn" in Akita, with the character "sen" (thousand), which expresses a prayer for long-lasting prosperity

Photo by Takeshi KOUNO – Kubota Castle Osumi Yagura (2016) / Size-adapted.

Many historical structures remain, such as the Kubota Castle Osumiyagura and the Kubota Castle Front Gate. From the Osumiyagura, you can get a panoramic view of Akita City, and further back you can see the Sea of ​​Japan. Admission to the Osumiyagura is 100 yen for adults, and free for high school students and younger. Please note that the museum is closed from December 1st to March 31st of the following year

Senshu Park is located in the heart of Akita City, yet is lush with greenery, allowing you to fully enjoy the beautiful nature of the four seasons as you stroll around. It is also Akita's premier cherry blossom viewing spot, attracting many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture for the Cherry Blossom Festival before the long holiday period. You will be greeted by 761 cherry trees of six varieties, including Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and double cherry, creating a truly magnificent sight. Shortly after the cherry blossom season ends, azaleas bloom in abundance, and in summer, lotus flowers bloom in the moat, making for a visual feast

After the flowering season ends in autumn, we are treated to a different color: autumn leaves. The leaves usually begin to change color in late October and reach their peak in early November. The area around the Honmaru Omotemon Gate is particularly famous for its beauty. The Honmaru Omotemon Gate, with its fiery deep red leaves, is so beautiful it will take your breath away. This brilliant glow of nature before the long, cold winter of Akita attracts many visitors

In addition to plants, you can also see many wild birds. In the moat, you can see ducks, herons, mandarin ducks, and kingfishers. If you're lucky, you might even witness a kingfisher catching a fish. If you go deeper into the park, you can see woodpeckers such as Japanese pygmy woodpeckers, great spotted woodpeckers, and green woodpeckers, as well as varied tits, great tits, and the cute long-tailed tit. Although they are very difficult to find, some people have apparently seen owls and Japanese parakeets. This is why many bird enthusiasts visit the park with binoculars and cameras

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