For Something More Relaxing

  1. Top
  2. Outline
  3. Castle Famous for its Cherry Blossoms

A Castle Site Famous for its Cherry Blossoms:
Tsuyama

Getting to Tsuyama Station:

Approx. 70 min. by rapid train, "Kotobuki",
or approx. 90 min. by local train from Okayama Station on JR Tsuyama Line
/Approx. 106 min. by express bus from Okayama Station West Gate Bus Terminal

**********

Dancing before Opening Ceremony of Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival Shinto Priest at Festival Portable Shrine Carried in Tsuyama Festival

**********

  • Cherry Blossoms around Turret in Tsuyama Castle Site
  • A close-up Shot of Cherry Blossoms
  • Dancing at Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival

Enjoy Viewing Cherry Blossoms. - Kakuzan Park -

Kakuzan Park, or Tsuyama Castle, is one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites. Many cherry trees were planted as part of the park development project after the structures in castles were lost due to the Castle Abolishment Law issued by the Meiji Government in 1873. Bitchu Turret was reconstructed as the castle's 400th-anniversary project throughout 2004-2005.

In spring, 1,000 cherry blossom trees are in all their glory. Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival is held in and around Kakuzan Park around early April. There are several must-see sights. They include the view of cherry blossoms that is visible from Kakuzan-kan on the Sannomaru courtyard and that is visible at the foot of the crucial part of the site, called Honmaru. The night view of cherry blossoms and large stone walls are also admirable. At the festival, a lot of people come to see the cherry blossoms from all over Japan.

Getting here: 10 minutes on foot from Tsuyama Station on JR Tsuyama Line

Bicycles for rent available at Tsuyama Station Tourist Information Office, and Tsuyama Tourist Center in front of Kakuzan Park.

Multifunctional bidet toilet seats, washlet toilet seats, available at the toilets by Kakuzan-kan and Bitchu Turret.

Click here to jump to the sightseeing map of downtown Tsuyama

Closed: December 29 to December 31

Admission: 300 yen for adults / Free for junior high school students & younger

Group discount available for a group of 30 or more people.

  • Gate of Shurakuen Garden
  • Cherry Blossoms in Shurakuen Garden
  • Water Lilies in Shurakuen Garden

Admire Seasonal Flowers in Garden of Lord's Villa - Shurakuen Garden -

Gardeners from Kyoto constructed Shurakuen Garden under the order of the second feudal lord of the Tsuyama Clan in the middle of the 17th century after the model of the Sento Imperial Palace, which was a palace for ex-emperors, with sophisticated Kyoto-styled beauty and refinement. The villa had been used as a guesthouse when the load met messengers of other clans or families and his vassals.

With four islets, its large pond covered with water lilies forms the central part of the garden and extends north and south. The garden was once three times larger than the current size.

Getting here: 20 minutes on foot / 10 min. by Gongo East Circulation Bus (Northbound) from Tsuyama Bus Terminal.

Bicycle for rent available at Tsuyama Station Tourist Information Office.

Open all year round

  • Gate of Chohoji Temple
  • Hydrangeas along Path
  • Hydrangeas around Stone Lantern
  • Hydrangeas on Paper Sliding-doors

Enjoy a Variety of Blooming Hydrangeas with Red or Blue Flowers in Temple. - Chohoji Temple -

Chohoji Temple is famous for its hydrangeas and is dubbed "hydrangea temple" as well. Nearly 3,000 hydrangeas in 30 varieties are at their best in mid to late June.

Sliding paper doors decorated with elegant paintings of hydrangeas were transferred to Chohoji Temple in 1873 when Tsuyama Castle was about to be demolished. After that, hydrangeas were planted in the garden of the temple. Visitors can enjoy a tea ceremony in its Amitabha hall around mid-June while appreciating the paintings of hydrangeas on the sliding paper doors, which are shown to the public only on these two days every year.

Getting here: 5 minutes on foot from Tsuyama-guchi Station on JR Tsuyama Line

  • A Parade Float Pulled by Local People
  • Parade Floats, Danjiri, in Tsuyama Festival
  • Shrine Maidens' Dance at Tsuyama Festival

Feel Energy and Have Plenty of Fun at Traditional Festival! - Tsuyama Festival -

Tsuyama Festival, which has continued for more than four centuries, is the most popular autumn festival in Tsuyama, composed of three festivals. Tokumori Shrine's one with the oldest tradition is the largest of them. Its 200-year-old portable shrine weighs over one ton. It is one of the three major portable shrines in Japan. It is held on the fourth Sunday of October on Yatsu-Dori Street, with the portable shrine and decorated parade floats running through the heart of Tsuyama City near the Yoshii River and several places near Tsuyama Station. Osumi Shrine's festival takes place on the third Sunday of October near Higashi-Tsuyama Station. Takano Shrine holds its festival on the closest Sunday to October 22 near Innosho Station. They are the three major shrines in Tsuyama. The portable shrine is carried on the shoulders of over 150 bearers uniformly dressed with happi coats, short lightweight workman's coats. The decorated parade floats are hauled on the ropes. On the eve of the festival, the decorated parade floats are pulled through the streets. At the main festival, they gather in each venue after traveling on their respective parade route. And then the decorated floats parade through the towns, full of thrill and strength.

Sightseeing Map of Downtown Tsuyama