- Sakura Cherry Blossoms at Keiseki Park in Oita Prefecture<\/a><\/li>
- Spring Flowers Continues to the Cliffs of Yabakei<\/a><\/li>
- Getting to Yabakei and Keiseki Park in Oita<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\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 of visiting 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, a 20,000 square meter park on the outskirts of Nakatsu<\/a><\/strong> City in Oita.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"sakura](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26161755\/DSCF7428_web.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nKeiseki Park is about a 35-minute drive from the Nakatsu JR station<\/strong>. Built in 1987 to commemorate the Yabakei Dam’s completion, it 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<\/strong>, and seasonal shifts bring a flood of pink blossoms or amber-red autumn leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26161901\/DSCF7461_web.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nI 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<\/strong>. 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 experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"traditional](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26161932\/DSCF7432_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Mixed](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26162029\/DSCF7435_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlong 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 blossom shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"man](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26162103\/DSCF7433_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163058\/DSCF7459_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163117\/DSCF7449_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, picnicking isn’t allowed on the garden grounds,<\/strong> 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 9am to 6pm, but it 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
\n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163213\/DSCF7452_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Traditional](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163232\/DSCF7454_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhile I had to take my picnicking dreams elsewhere, Keiseki Park was still a worthwhile visit. I’ll be making it again next sakura blossom season. In just a short drive, you can have the pleasure of walking through a sakura garden that feels like it’s all your own.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n- \n
Keiseki Park<\/h4>
tourist attraction<\/span><\/li>\n- 2286-1 Yabakeimachi Oaza Oshima, Nakatsu, Oita 871-0431, Japan<\/small><\/li>\n
- ★<\/span>★<\/span>★<\/span>★<\/span>☆<\/span><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n View details<\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n
Spring Flowers Continues to the Cliffs of Yabakei<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Just as the Japanese follow the seasonal blooms of cherry blossoms, a visit to the nearby Yabakei Cliff \u8036\u99ac\u6eaa<\/strong> with its Nemophila<\/a> <\/strong>(often called Baby Blue Eyes) also attracts many admirers. Planted early in the year by the organized effort of the Yabakei locals, the thick rows of the Baby Blue Eyes can begin or conclude your floral journey through the Nakatsu landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"baby](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163338\/DSCF7480_web.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n ![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163357\/DSCF7486_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Fields](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163431\/DSCF7483_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEven if the flowers aren’t enough of a draw for you to make the visit, I’d suspect that the dramatic rock face would do the trick. When I first saw Yabakei a few years ago on passing, I was shocked by its sudden appearance and had to pull over to take a closer look. I always look for an old man’s crooked lips and cyclops eye in one of the pillars. What can you see? <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163455\/DSCF7493_web.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe hand-carved tunnel of Ao-no-Domon is also an impressive sight. I’d been told by some locals that it was carved by a man who had committed murder early in his life.<\/strong> This man spent the next 30 years atoning for his sin by carving the tunnel with a chisel to provide easier access to an important shrine nearby. Ironically, he became rich in his later years by charging a toll on the tunnel. Honestly, I’m not sure if this part of the story is true or not but I enjoy it nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re keen on reading more about what to visit in the area, here’s more about the Yabakei gorge in Nakatsu<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163525\/DSCF4694_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"baby](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26163546\/DSCF7496_web.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n \n- \n
Yabakei<\/h4>
tourist attraction<\/span><\/li>\n- Nakatsu, Oita 871-0201, Japan<\/small><\/li>\n
- ★<\/span>★<\/span>★<\/span>★<\/span>☆<\/span><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n View details<\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n
Getting to Yabakei and Keiseki Park in Oita<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Public transport is limited here, so getting to your destinations by car will be your best option to explore the area. If you’re leaving from Nakatsu JR Station<\/strong>, Hon-Yabakei is about a 25-minute drive from Nakatsu, and Keiseki Park a 35-minute drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, if you’re leaving from Oita Station<\/strong>, it takes roughly the same amount of time to get to both Hon-Yabakei and Keiseki Park, with an hour and a half drive with tolls (2 hours without tolls).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re looking for a coffee spot, there’s a lovely coffee shop in the Nakatsu foothills<\/a>. *Please note that the restaurant mentioned in the article is no longer open.<\/em> The walking tour of Nakatsu city is also a wonderful visit for history buffs.<\/a> Happy Sakura viewing<\/a> everyone! 🌸<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"