Nagahama Castle & Nagahama Ho Park in Shiga, Japan

Tomo Chouchou joined day-trip group tour for cherry blossom in Shiga prefecture in Japan.
Here is one of the cherry blossom spots.

Nagahama Castle (Japanese: Nagahama-jyo, 長浜城）

is located inside Nagahama Ho Park.
There are about 800 cherry trees surrounding the Nagahama Castle.

Nagahama Ho Park [Japanese: Nagahama Ho-koen, 長浜豊公園]

is one of the "100 Best Japan Sakura Spots (日本さくら名所100選)".

There is the Lake Biwa [Japanese: Biwa-ko, 琵琶湖]

in front of the Nagahama Ho Park.

Episode of Nagahama Castle & Nagahama Ho Park

Tomo & Chouchou went to Shiga prefecture with group day tour for cherry blossoms. There are so many good spots to see beautiful cherry blossoms around the Lake Biwa [Biwa-ko, 琵琶湖] in Shiga prefecture, so our tour visited several places of them. One of the cherry blossoms spots is the Nagahama Castle [Nagahama-jō, 長浜城] & Nagahama Ho Park [Ho-Koen] located in Nagahama in Shiga prefecture.
Nagahama Castle is located inside Nagahama Ho Park. There are about 800 cherry trees surrounding the Nagahama Castle. The combination of the castle and cherry blossoms were very beautiful.
Nagahama Ho-Koen is one of the "100 Best Japan Sakura Spots". While walking under the cherry trees, we admired the beauty of cherry blossoms. We even felt we were purified. Nagahama Ho Park was large. And there was the Lake Biwa. in front. We could enjoy the beautiful scenery of spring such as pink cherry blossoms, blue lake and green grasses. It was very relaxing and comfortable place to enjoy the spring! It could be nice to have a picnic in the park.

We entered Nagahama Castle. Inside the castle, it was beautiful and interesting. We could imagine the past. We also went up the castle tower [Tenshukaku, 天守閣] of Nagahama Castle. We could see the whole Nagahama Ho Park, Mount Ibuki [Ibuki-yama, 伊吹山] and Lake Biwa from the castle tower. During the cherry blossom season, the view of 800 cherry trees looks like the pink sea. It was worth to enter the castle!

Tomo & Chouchou's advices for Nagahama

1)We strongly recommend to go up the castle tower of Nagahama Castle.
2)There is a 400-year-old tree (樹齢400年の老木）in Nagahama Ho Park. The tree has been watching the all history of Nagahama. We can feel and get the strong energy from the tree!
3)A castle town [Jōkamachi, 城下町] in Nagahama still keeps the same style as it was built. Why not strolling the castle town to feel the history in old town?
4)To the Japanese history lovers, please don't forget to see the statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉像）in Ho-Koen and the statues of Hideyoshi & Mitsunari (秀吉・三成出逢いの像) at Nagahama station [長浜駅].

History of Nagahama Castle

Nagahama Castle was built by Hashiba Hideyoshi/ 羽柴秀吉 (former name was Kinoshita Tōkichirō/ 木下藤吉郎,  later name was Toyotomi Hideyoshi/ 豊臣秀吉). It was the first main castle which Toyotomi Hideyoshi built.
cf. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) was a samurai worrior and a preeminent powerful feudal lord [daimyo] who unifies Japan.
When Hideyoshi started to build the castle, that area (village) was called Imahama/ 今浜. After completing, Hideyoshi promotes to Shiromochi-Daimyo/ 城持ち大名 (=daimyo who owns a castle) and he renamed the area Nagahama/長浜 as a tribute to Oda Nobunaga/ 織田信長. So Nagahama Castle/ 長浜城 is also called Imahama Castle/ 今浜城.
cf. Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) was a powerful samurai daimyo warlord. His successor was Toyotomi Hidesyoshi.
Unfortunately Nagahama Castle was demolished in 1615, but many parts of the castle such as stone walls were used to construct Hikone Castle/ 彦根城.
It is said that Tenbin Yagura/天秤櫓 (=Balance Scale Turret) of Hikone Castle, the gate (Daidokoro-mon/ 台所門) of Nagahama Betsuin Daitsuji Temple/ 長浜別院大通寺, the front gate (Omote-mon/ 表門) of Chizenin/ 知善院 Temple have been moved from Nagahama Castle. Then in 1909, the park was built on the ruins of the Nagahama Castle. This park was named Ho Park [Ho-Koen/ 豊公園] after Toyotomi Hideyoshi who owned Nagahama castle.
cf.Toyotomi in Kanji: 豊臣. Toyo 豊 is also called Ho.
People in Nagahama strongly wished to rebuild the Nagahama Castle then they collected contributions to the castle. In 1983, Nagahama castle was reconstructed.
Nagahama Castle is now Nagahama Castle Historical Museum/ 長浜市長浜城歴史博物館. The appearance is the castle. However it's a museum about the city of Nagahama.

Information

Nagahama Castle Historical Museum [長浜市長浜城歴史博物館]
Address: 10-10 Koencho, Nagahama, Shiga, Japan

              滋賀県長浜市公園町10-10
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (Entry is allowed until 4:30pm) All year long
Admission fee: Adult 400yen, 6-15 years old 200yen

Nagahama Ho Park (Ho-Koen) [長浜豊公園]
Address: Koencho, Nagahama, Shiga
             滋賀県長浜市公園町

Access: 5-10 minutes walk from JR Nagahama station [JR長浜駅]　

Opening hours: 24hours
Admission fee: free
About 140 cars are available in the parking place
There are public toilets in the park.

 

Chery blossom season: from Early April to Mid April

There is night illumination for several days.

Sankeien Garden in Yokohama, Japan

a big pond near the entrance.

We found a hidden street in the bamboo grove.

 

Important cultural property 

"Three-Storied Pagoda of Old Toumyouji"

[Japanese: 旧燈明寺三重塔]

gassho-zukuri houses* [Japanese: gasshō-zukuri, 合掌造り].
*gassho-zukuri house (= a house with a steep thatched roof)

 irori* [Japanese: 囲炉裏] inside one of the gassho style house

"Old Yanohara House [Japanese: 旧矢箆原家住宅]".
*irori (= a traditional sunken hearth constructed in the floor)

tea salon and casual restaurant in Sankeien Garden.

Episode of Yokohama Sankeien Garden [横浜三渓園]

Tomo&Chouchou went to see cherry blossom in Sankeien Garden located in Naka-ku, Yokohama. As soon as we entered the main gate, we found a big pond.
It was the best view from there to see cherry blossom and Three-Storied Pagoda [Japanese: 三重塔]. There was a small bridge around the pond.
While we were walking, we found a hidden street in the bamboo grove.
Important cultural property "Three-Storied Pagoda of Old Toumyouji" was on the small hill. We could look down the main gate and pond from there.
In the Sankeien Garden, there were some gasshō-zukuri houses. We could enter inside the gassho style houses. One of the gassho zukuri house "Old Yanohara House" [旧矢箆原家住宅] has articles for everyday use in the past such as irori [囲炉裏], tatami mats[畳], stone mills [石臼] and tea kettles [やかん]. We could see the life style of people in the past. It was very interesting.
There were four tea salons or casual restaurants in the park. We can drink matcha/maccha(=fine powder of green tea) or eat Udon or Soba noodles, rice balls, red beans soup etc.. Many people were taking a rest or grabing some foods.

We didn't know that we could find such a park in the middle of the city of Yokohama. Thanks to the old Japanese architectures, we could feel that we were out of Yokohama. Sankeien was very large and relaxing place with lots of green.
It was like a small trip on weekend. We could have relaxing time in Sankeien.

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for Sankeien garden

Tomo&Chouchou went to Sankeien garden from the afternoon, so we couldn't see everything in the park. If you want to see all the architectures and to see inside the houses, you had better go from the morning.


Information

Cherry blossoms: Late March - Early April
Wisteria: Late April - Early May
Azalea: Late April - Mid May
Iris: Late May - Mid June
Water lilly: Mid May - Mid August
Hydrangea: Early June - Late June

Please check flower bloom information from Sankeien garden website.
https://www.sankeien.or.jp/

opening hours: 9h - 17h (entry close at 16h30)
closing days: 29 - 31 Dec.
admission fee: 700yen
Address: 58-1 Honmokusannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
横浜市中区本牧三之谷58-1

Access
by Yokohama Municipal bus [横浜市営バス]
from Negishi station[根岸駅],
from Sakuragi-cho station[桜木町駅] or
from Yokohama station east entrance [横浜駅東口]

Tsutsujigaoka park in Gunma, Japan

Tsutsujigaoka Park Azelea Festival

つつじが岡公園つつじまつり

There are 800-year-old Azaleas (=Rhododendron kaempferi)

 and gigantic trees of Azaleas in Tsutsujigaoka park.
Azaleas (=Tsutsuji in Japanese).

Each type of Azalea has each bloom time.

 

Pink Azeleas was full bloom.

The bloom of Red Azeleas was a bit later than pink one.

 

We could see cherry blossoms along the river.

racoon dog statues near the entrace of the park.

Pon chan

(a racoon dog mascot of Tatebayashi city)

Episode of Tsutsujigaoka park

Tomo&Chouchou went to day trip tour to go to Tsutsujigaoka park in Tatebayashi city in Gunma.

In Tsutsujigaoka park, there are 800-year-old Azaleas (=Rhododendron kaempferi) and gigantic trees of Azaleas which has 5m in height. Azaleas (=Tsutsuji in Japanese) in Tsutsujigaoka park have been kept naturally since 800 years ago, so they are very valuable. It's said that Azaleas in Tsutsujigaoka park is the best in Japan and they could be the best in the world.

We must follow the walking path to see Azaleas in the park. There are around 50 kinds and 10,000 bushes of Azaleas in the park. There are several types of Azaleas which are red, pink, white etc.. Each type of Azaleas has each bloom time. So we couldn't see full bloom of all Azeleas. When we went there, pink Azeleas were well bloomed.
Tsutsujigaoka park has 49,890m² so it's very large. The river runs beside the park. We could walk along the river. In the park, we could see cherry blossoms too. We could walk under the cherry blossoms in the park.

Tatebayashi [館林] is famous for Japanese folktale "Bunbuku Chagama [分福茶釜]" so we can see raccoon dog statue near the entrance of the park. Also, we found the sign of mascot of Tatebayashi city called "Pon chan" in the park.
Pon chan wears Azalea on the head and its body is made by Chagama (=tea kettle). It was cute.
Near the entrance of Tsutsujigaoka park, there are many souvenir shops. So before the departure, we shopped some local products as a souvenir.
We can often see Azeleas in Japan. But we had never seen such a big Azelea tree! Moreover it was natural one. After knowing that Tsutsujigaoka park has 800 years history, we could appreciate Azeleas more.


Information
Tsutsujigaoka Park
群馬県立つつじが岡公園

Address: 3128-5 Hanayamacho, Tatebayashi, Gunma
所在地： 群馬県館林市花山町3128-5

Access
Get off at "Tatebayashi" station of Tobu Isesaki Line [東武伊勢崎線館林駅].
↓ after getting off, choose one from the following way.
A) on foot  30 - 40 minutes
B)by local bus Tatebayashi/Itakura line [館林・板倉線]
   get off at "Tsutsujigaoka Koen Iriguchi [つつじが岡公園入口]" and walk around 12min.
C)by shuttle bus  (it runs only during Tsutsuji/Azalea festival)
D)by taxi around 10minutes
Azalea/Tsutsuji Bloom time: from mid. April to beg. May


other articles about seasonal flower events

-> Moss Phlox in Ota, Gunma

-> Osaka　Tsurumi Ryokuchi [Park], Osaka

-> suburb of Paris　Parc de Sceaux, France

-> Ottawa in Canada Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa

Moss Phlox in Ota, Gunma, Japan

Ota Moss Phlox festival: from April to May
There are one millions of Phlox Subulatas in Ota-shi Hokubu Undo Koen.

colorful Moss phlox in Ota northern sport park

[Japanese: Ota-shi Hokubu Undo Koen; 太田市北部運動公園]

 

Episode of Moss Phlox in Ota Northern Sport Park

Tomo&Chouchou joined day-tour to go to see Phlox Subulata (=Moss Phlox) in Ota northern sport park [=Ota-shi Hokubu Undo Koen; 太田市北部運動公園 in Japanese] in Ota city, Gunma.

As soon as we got off the bus, we could see full of Phlox Subulatas in front of us.
It was surprisingly beautiful. The flowers were colorful such as pink, orange yellow and white. It was too beautiful. We couldn't stop taking photos.
Ota-chi Hokubu Undo Koen was very large. We rushed to see the park as much as we could. It would have been nice to take a walk or stay relaxed there. As it was the group tour, we had to leave the park.
It was the moment we could be relaxed. We felt like we were in the another world!


Information

Ota northern sport park [太田市北部運動公園]
Address : 2079-3 Kamigodocho, Ota, Gunma
群馬県太田市上強戸町2079-3

For your information,
We can see illumination in Ota-shi Hokubu Undo Koen from October to January.


other articles about seasonal flower events

- Tsutsujigaoka park, Gunma, Japan

- Tsurumi Ryokuchi [Park], Osaka, Japan

- Parc de Sceaux, France

- Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada

Parc de Sceaux, France

Sceaux park [French: Parc de Sceaux]
We could see tulips near the entrance.

Walkng along the Grand Canal in the Sceaux park.

Trees were lined very equally.

 

full of "Yae-zakura" cherry blossoms.
There were many people who had a picnic under the cherry trees.

Episode of Parc de Sceaux

Tomo&Chouchou went to Sceaux Park [=Parc de Sceaux]. Parc de Sceaux is famous for cherry blossom spot in France. Parc de Sceaux is located in the suburb of Paris. We went to Parc de Sceaux by RER-B. On the way from the RER station to Parc de Sceaux, we saw many luxurious houses.
As soon as we entered the park, we could see beautiful garden in front of us.
In spring, we can see pretty tulips there.
We walked along the Grand Canal. It was amazing to see that the trees were lined very equally. Anyway it was peaceful walking.
Around the center of the park, we could see full of "Yae-zakura"cherry blossoms there. There were many people who had a picnic under the cherry trees. Many Asians who love cherry blossoms were having a picnic. We also enjoyed a picnic under the cherry trees. We didn't expect to see such cherry blossoms in France. We were very happy to feel the spring and enjoy cherry blossoms in France!

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for Parc de Sceaux

Sceaux Park has 200 hectares so it's very wide park and it's quiet place. Parc de Sceaux is optimum place for walking or jogging. It's also good place to be relaxed. Many French people are taking a dog to the park, walking in the park, or sitting around the canal. Parc de Sceaux is the best place to enjoy cherry blossoms. We highly recommend Sceaux park.


Access
If you walk from the station "Bourg-la-Reine" of RER-B line,
you will find the information [French: Accueil] at the entrance of the park.


other articles about seasonal flower events

-> Tsutsujigaoka park, Gunma, Japan

-> Moss phlox in Ota, Gunma, Japan

-> Tsurumi Ryokuchi (Park), Osaka, Japan

-> Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada

Tsurumi Ryokuchi (Park) in Osaka, Japan

Tsurumi Ryokuchi (Park) [Japanese: 鶴見緑地]

Tsurumi Ryokuchi was used for the main hall of The International Garden and Greenery Exposition in Osaka in 1990 [Japanese: 国際花と緑の博覧会]. This Expo'90 was the Universal Exposition authorized by BIE (=The Bureau of International Expositions). Since then, it's called "Hana-Haku-Kinen-Koen-Tsurumi-Ryokuchi [Japanese: 花博記念公園鶴見緑地]".

Cherry blossoms in Japanese garden [Japanese: 日本庭園]

We can see Grey Herons [Japanese: あおさぎ] in Japanese Garden.

windmill & tulips in European garden on the hill.

A huge pond in the center of Tsurumi Ryokuchi park. 

We can see the temples across the pond.

Episode of Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

Tsurumi Ryokuchi (Park) [鶴見緑地] is Tommo&Chouchou's favorite cherry blossom spot. It's located in Tsurumi-ku, Osaka.
There are full of cherry blossoms all over Tsurumi-Ryokuchi. Especially Japanese Garden is a good place to see cherry blossoms. We can also see Grey Heron [Japanese: あおさぎ] in Japanese Garden. It's a beautiful moment to see Grey Heron flying around the cherry blossoms.

Inside Tsurumi-Ryokuchi park, there are International garden or Japanese garden such as tropical garden that we can see palm trees, Asian garden that we can see temples, and European garden that we can see windmill and roses.
Especially, the hill, where windmill is, is the famous place. In spring, we can see full of tulips there. In autumn, we can see full of cosmos.

Inside Tsurumi-Ryokuchi park, there is a huge pond. In the pond, there are lots of wild birds. It's a nice place to enjoy the scenery around the pond.

Tsurumi-Ryokuchi is not for sight-seeing place but relaxing and calm place. Local people enjoy a lot there. Tsurumi-Ryokuchi is large-scale and good for walking or jogging. We can also enjoy BBQ in Tsurumi-Ryokuchi BBQ area. There is huge lawn ground, so family or kids can play sports in Tsurumi-Ryokuchi. There are full of green in this park. Tsurumi-Ryokuchi is the best place to feel relaxed in the city.
We can enjoy Tsurumi Ryokuchi all year round. Anytime is good to visit!

Location
Tsurumi-ku, Osaka, Japan

Access
*Osaka Municipal Subway
Closest station: Tsurumi Ryokuchi st.
最寄駅：大阪市営地下鉄鶴見緑地駅

*shattle bus
from Osaka International Airport (Itami),
JR Shin-Osaka st., JR Osaka st., JR Ibaraki st.,
Hankyu Minami-Ibaraki st., Keihan Moriguchi-shi st.,
Kintetsu Aramoto st..



Other articles about seasonal flower events

- Moss Phlox in Ota, Gunma

- Tsutsujigaoka park, Gunma

->パリ郊外　Parc de Sceaux, France