Spring is a time for enjoying the freshness of nature... and Kiryu is surrounded by lush green mountains, crystal clear rivers and an abundance of flowering trees, shrubs and plants. The following is a list of some of the more outstanding public flower viewing spots in Kiryu. Don't miss these spring blossoms... and be sure to take your camera with you! By the way, the Japanese tradition includes viewing cherry trees at night. Many gather under the cherry trees and enjoy an evening of singing and eating with friends and families. You may find this a tradition you truly enjoy as well.
YELLOW WAX PLUM TREES
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
TYPE |
PERIOD |
Yamakami Castle Ruins Park
[map: PDF] |
297-1 Yamakami Niisatocho |
yellow |
end of Jan to end of Feb |
FLOWERING PLUM TREES
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
TYPE |
PERIOD |
Kiryu Minami Park
[map: PDF] |
Hirosawacho 5 chome |
red and white |
from the end of Feb. |
FLOWERING CHERRY TREES
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
TYPE |
PERIOD |
Kiryugaoka Zoo / Amusement Park
[guide: PDF] |
Miyamotocho 2,3,4 chome |
somei yoshino |
beginning of April |
Azuma Park [guide: PDF] |
Miyamotocho 3 chome |
somei yoshino |
beginning of April |
Suidoyama Park |
Miyamotocho 3 chome |
somei yoshino |
beginning of April |
Hishakuyama[map: PDF] |
Umedacho 1 chome |
somei yoshino |
middle of April |
Kiryu Sports Park |
Aioicho 3 chome |
somei yoshino |
beginning of April |
TULIPS
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
TYPE |
PERIOD |
Azuma Park [guide: PDF] |
Miyamoto-cho 3 chome |
various types |
middle to end of April |
DOGWOOD TREES
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
TYPE |
PERIOD |
Columbus Street |
Inaricho 2 chome -Higashi 7 chome |
red /white |
beginning of May - |
DESCRIPTION OF FLOWER VIEWING LOCATIONS
YAMAKAMI CASTLE RUINS PARK, NIISATOCHO
[map: PDF]
Approximately 150 yellow wax plum trees, known as "robai" in Japanese, bloom from the end of January through the end of February in Yamakami Castle Ruins Park. The blossoms are very fragrant. In February, the 150 camellia bushes also start to bloom, presenting a very colorful late winter landscape in the park.
For further information regarding the wax plums, please call the Niisato Branch Office of Kiryu City Hall at 0277-74-5101. |
KIRYU MINAMI PARK
[map: PDF]
Location |
Hirosawacho 5 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing period |
From the end of February through the middle of March |
Types of plum trees |
- 410 red flowering plums
- 235 white flowering plums |
Times / fees |
Open all the time / no fee for admittance |
Parking |
Space for 170 cars / no fee for parking |
Access |
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - Fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway;
- About 40 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
Kiryu Minami Park Office: (0277) 52-3456
Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
The Minami Park also has a baseball diamond, tennis courts, open air theater.
The plum trees are planted around the open air theater. |
KIRYUGAOKA ZOO AND AMUSEMENT PARK
[guide: PDF] [map: PDF]
Location |
Miyamotocho 2,3, 4 chome and Nishi Hisakatacho 2 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing Period |
From the beginning of April |
Types of cherry trees |
430 "Somei Yoshino" flowering cherry trees |
Times / fees |
- Kiryugaoka Zoo is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm daily. There is no entrance fee to the zoo. The zoo is open all year round.
- Kiryugaoka Amusement Park is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm from April through October. From November through February the park is open from 9:30 am to 4 pm. There is no fee for admission. The park is closed on Tuesdays except when such days are national holidays. On national holidays the park is open. |
Parking |
Space for 400 cars. No fee for parking. |
Access |
-About 20 minutes on foot from the JR Ryomo Line, Kiryu Station
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - Fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 40 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
- Kiryugaoka Zoo: (0277) 22-4442
- Kiryugaoka Amusement Park: (0277) 22-7585
- Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
There are many stalls selling snacks and souvenirs around the Zoo, making it a very lively spot. |
AZUMA PARK
[guide: PDF]
Location |
Miyamotocho 3 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing period |
- cherry trees: from the beginning of April
- tulips: from mid- to the end of April |
Type of flowers |
- 500 "Somei Yoshino" cherry trees
- 15,000 tulips of various colors |
Time / fees |
The park is open year round. There are no fees for admittance. |
Parking |
Space for 60 cars. No fee for parking. |
Access |
- About 20 minutes on foot from the JR Ryomo Line, Kiryu Station
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - Fuijoka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 40 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
Azuma Park Office: (0277) 22-8636
Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
The park is the setting for various seasonal celebrations such as the "Tulip Festival" in April and the "Iris Festival" in June. The 15,000 red, white and yellow tulips are a wonder when in bloom. During this time, the tea ceremony is often performed in a special tea house located on the park grounds just above the tulip beds. |
SUIDOYAMA PARK
Location |
Miyamotocho 2 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing period |
From the beginning of April |
Types of trees |
400 "Somei Yoshino" cherry trees |
Time / fees |
The park is open year round. There are no fees for admission. |
Parking |
Space for 80 cars. No fee for parking. |
Access |
- About 20 on foot from the JR Ryomo Line, Kiryu Station
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - Fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 40 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
- Suidoyama Park Office: (0277) 22-9286
- Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
The Okawa Museum of Art is located on the slope of the steep stone road leading up to the park. From the summit of Suidoyama there is a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding mountains. |
HISHAKUYAMA
[map: PDF]
Location |
Umedacho 1 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing period |
From the middle of April |
Type of trees |
640 "Somei Yoshino" cherry trees |
Time / fees |
The summit of the mountain is open to hikers year round. There are no fees for admission. |
Parking |
Space for 30 cars. No fee for parking. |
Access |
- About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from the Sano - Fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 55 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
Because of its elevation, the cherry trees on Hishakuyama bloom about 1 week later than the trees located on level ground in the city of Kiryu. The park includes toilet facilities and benches. On the summit of Mt. Hishaku are the ruins of Kiryu Castle which was constructed during the Middle Ages. |
AIOI SPORTS PARK
Location |
Aioicho 3 chome, Kiryu |
Viewing period |
From the beginning of April |
Type of trees |
143 "Somei Yoshino" cherry trees |
Time / fees |
The park is open year round. There is no fee for admission. |
Parking |
Space for 1,500 cars. No parking fees. |
Access |
- About 5 minutes on foot from the Aioi Sports Park exit of the Watarase Keikoku Line
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 35 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
Kiryu City Hall Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
The Aioi Sports Park is a large site encompassing various sports facilities and grounds. Within the park is a 200 meter stretch of drive lined with cherry trees which form a flowering archway for strollers. These cherry trees have achieved the reputation for being the most beautiful in the city of Kiryu in recent years. |
COLUMBUS STREET
Location |
From Inaricho 2 chome to Higashi 7 chome (about 2 km) |
Viewing period |
From the beginning of May |
Type of flowers |
Pink and white dogwood trees and azalea bushes |
Times / fees |
The street is a public thoroughfare open all year. No fees. |
Parking |
There is no parking on the street. There are public parking spaces and lots located on nearby Honcho street. These spaces are not free of charge. |
Access |
- About 5 minutes on foot from the JR Ryomo Line, Kiryu Station
- About 1 hour by car from the Sano - Fujioka Exit of the Tohoku Expressway
- About 40 minutes by car from the Isesaki Exit of the Kita Kanto Expressway |
Inquiries |
Kiryu City Tourism Office: (0277) 46-1111 ext. 566 |
Notes |
Columbus Street was designed in honor of the sister city relationship between Kiryu and the city of Columbus, Georgia, USA. The two kilometer stretch features flowering dogwoods and azaleas, trees and shrubs which are particularly beautiful in Columbus. The contrasting colors and density of blooms forms a gorgeous belt along the drive. This has become one of Kiryu's most outstanding scenic spots. |
|