As Golden Week holidays approach in Japan, Misawa AB and Aomori Prefecture are currently covered with Sakura blossoms at peak bloom.

At Icho Koen, or Gingko Park, in Oirase Town, over 800 hundred cherry blossom trees welcome visitors. The park is only a 30-minute drive from Misawa Air Base.

The park’s symbol is a miniature version of a familiar sight for Americans, a Statue of Liberty statue. The fixture was constructed in 1990 as part of Japan’s Regional Revitalization Program. Since the town is located at 40:40N, just the same as the latitude of New York City, the town decided to build a bronze statue to promote the town, according to Oirase Town. The statue in the park is 20.8 meters tall and the tallest in Japan (the similar statue one in Tokyo’s Odaiba is only 12.25 meters tall).

The tall bronze statue matches well with countless pinkish petals in the large park and creates an impressive spring view.  

“The sakura tree branches in the park are spreading horizontally, not vertically, so you can enjoy the blossoms very closely,” Yoshihito Morita of the Misawa Commissary said about his visit to the park.

Besides the well-paved promenade, the park accommodates a playground of various equipment, a barbecue field, a community center, and grounds for baseball and tennis, so you can spend a whole day with the kids and family.

The lovely season won’t last long, so make sure to take time to enjoy the blush blossoms and a taste of the Big Apple near Misawa!  

Icho Koen (Gingko Park) in Oirase Town

Location: 60-6 Kamiakedo, Oirase Town, Kamikita-gun, Amori Prefecture

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Tel: 0178-56-4703

Misawa Air Base

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