14/09/2013

Iwate Park

A Picturesque Summer Stroll

Por Chris Barnes

Community writer

Although the park is most popular during the Spring and Autumn, the gardens during Summer are just as relaxing to wander around

The castle was the residence of the Nanbu clan, and the seat of Morioka han during the Edo period

It's also a great place to escape the heat of Summer as many of the trees create a canopy to escape the sun

Within the park, there is a monument inscribed with a poem of Kenji Miyazawa, who hailed from Morioka . There is also a monument in memory of Takuboku Ishikawa, one of Japan's most famous poets

There are many walking trails throughout the park allowing you to enjoy the entire castle site

Although all the buildings of the castle were destroyed in 1874, the ruined castle site was redesigned by garden architect Yasuhei Nagaoka in 1906

Fire flies are often seen in this location during mid-Summer nights

There are some beautiful gardens with water features throughout the park

Iwate Park is said to be most beautiful during cherry-blossom season and Autumn, when the foliage of the park comes alive with colour. Don't let this descourage you, Summer is still impressive.

Morioka Castle, constructed in 1598, was a beautiful three-story Castle which served as the residence of the Nanbu family. In 1874, when the age of the samurai eventually came to an end, the castle was demolished and the park became desolate. In 1906, the park was revived and named Iwate Park. This well-maintained park is now a place of recreation and relaxation for many city residents and a popular cherry-blossom viewing park during the Spring. In 2006 this castle site was given the nickname of Morioka Castle Site Park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iwate Park. Though the castle no longer stands today, you can still see the beautiful stone walls throughout the park and enjoy the beautiful gardens on one of many walking trails throughout the park.

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Chris Barnes

Por Chris Barnes

Community writer

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