{"id":58609,"date":"2020-01-31T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=58609"},"modified":"2022-02-17T16:31:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T07:31:46","slug":"kyushu-sakura-blossom-oita","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kyushu-sakura-blossom-oita\/","title":{"rendered":"Sakura Blossoms at Keiseki Park and Baby Blue Eyes in Nakatsu, Oita"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Perhaps it’s an obvious statement, but allow me to make it anyways: Japan<\/strong> loves its sakura<\/em><\/strong>. With a sakura<\/em> blossom forecast<\/strong> plotted out on a map for all of Japan to see (from the Earth Communication website<\/a> and Sakura Navi<\/a>), it’s easy to anticipate their fullest bloom no matter where you are in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the beginning of sakura<\/em> season when I first arrived in Tokyo<\/a> as a tourist. It was still chilly, but the opening of the sakura<\/em> buds signaled a change in the air as I navigated the growing crowds coming to greet the iconic blossoms. I walked past groups of people on bright, blue picnic mats eating gloriously packaged bento<\/em> boxes and drinking with enthusiasm under a shower of pale pink blossoms. As a tourist (and with a lot less foresight), I came much less prepared than they were. As I sat on the bare ground with my bento<\/em> box packaged in thin plastic from the grocery store, I felt I was only an outsider peeking in on the festivities. And I badly wanted to be included in the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura Cherry Blossoms at Keiseki Park in Oita Prefecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward a few years later; I’ve had the opportunity to visit some of the most popular cherry blossom destinations in Kyushu<\/strong> while living here. It’s also afforded me the luxury to visit some lesser-visited parks. So, when I was looking for a new spot away from the hustle and bustle that sakura blossom season tends to bring, a friend suggested that I visit Keiseki Park<\/strong> (\u6eaa\u77f3\u5712, Keiseki-en<\/em>). Keiseki Park<\/strong> is a 20,000 square meter park on the outskirts of Nakatsu<\/a><\/strong> city, Oita. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sakura<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Keiseki Park<\/strong> is about a 35-minute drive from the Nakatsu JR station. Built in 1987 to commemorate the Yabakei Dam’s completion, Keiseki Park is a relatively new park full of rock gardens, streams, ponds, and waterfalls. Most notably, the cherry and maple trees are the park’s staple, and seasonal shifts bring a flood of pink blossoms or amber-red autumn leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I took some backroads I’m still amazed to find on Google maps (but worth the lovely countryside views), and arrived at the park in its full bloom. A wide variety of cherry blossoms, from delicate white petals, to robust, deep rouge explosions, were scattered throughout the park. Many of the trees looked to be some kind of hybrid, with clumps of different coloured flowers hanging from a single branch like some friendly witch’s magical sakura<\/em> experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"traditional<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mixed<\/figure>\n
Mixed colours of sakura blossom in a park in Kyushu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Along the banks overlooking the Yabakei river is a classic row of Japanese cherry trees, their near-white petals floating down onto the pathway like a gentle spring snow. Just lovely. With few visitors and spacious grounds, there is no need to struggle with the crowds that you’d normally be competing with to get your sakura<\/em> blossom shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"man<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pink<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, picnicking isn’t allowed on the garden grounds, which is a slight disappointment. However, the teahouse on-site offers food, and a small area outdoors if you do happen to bring your own food. The teahouse is normally open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, but was closed when I arrived on a Sunday. You’ll want to check in advance for their hours if you’re keen on a lunch during your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I had to take my picnicking dreams elsewhere, Keiseki Park<\/strong> was still a worthwhile visit I’ll be making again next sakura<\/em> blossom season (according to the latest 2022 forecast, it will be in late March in Kyushu). In just a short drive, you can have the pleasure of walking through a sakura<\/em> garden that feels like it’s all your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n