Photos by Linda Cordes ()
Kanmuriyama Park is located about an hour away from Iwakuni, in a lovely beach town called Hikari. The park is probably most famous for their almost 2,000 plum blossom trees that bloom from late February through most of March.
This year, I went at the end of February and it was still a little too early.
There were some trees that were blooming a lot so it was still pretty to walk around. There are some different paths you can take, and one is paved so people with strollers and wheelchairs can still go up to the top and enjoy some of the views.
During the Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom Festival), they will have some special events on the weekends. The Japanese tea ceremony is my favorite. For ¥500 you get a delicious cup of authentic matcha and a little something sweet to go with it.
It’s fun to watch the process of preparing a cup of tea.
There is also a mini flea market and some food tents at the back of the park, by the temple.
Have children who are not interested in flowers? Kanmuriyama Park also has a nice, large playground they can enjoy after they check out the flowers with you. I’m not ashamed to admit that I bribed my boys when they were little. Quite a few times.
There’s also a large open field near the playground for children to run around, and for having a nice picnic. A stage sits at one end of the field where they will occasionally have live performances.
In the spring they have some cherry blossom trees, and right before summer they have beautiful roses blooming around the front entrance of the park.
They even have a rose tunnel!
This is one of my favorite parks around and can easily be combined with a trip to the Hikari Flea Market. If you don’t feel like packing a picnic and you enjoy a good burger, then head over to Kuti for lunch.
Unfortunately, Kanmuriyama Park does not allow pets.
The park is usually free, but when they have an event like the Plum Blossom Festival going on, they do charge a small entrance fee. I believe I paid ¥150.
Here’s the pin – Kanmuriyama Park
