Bang in the heart of Tsurumi Ward in Yokohama, is a mini oasis that many locals call Mitsuike Park. Measuring over 300,000 square meters in area and featuring 3 large ponds, the park is proudly ranked as one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots. During the spring, you can expect to find many visitors who have come here to enjoy a picnic under one of the park’s 1,600 plus cherry trees. Aside from its famed cherry blossoms, this is also a great place to visit during anytime of the year, since there is an abundance of different flowers and plants that come into bloom throughout each season. The park also offers a great change to escape the surrounding concrete jungle and has many rest areas where visitors can enjoy a snack.
Despite its somewhat “secluded” location, the park was often visited by many high ranking Korean officials during the early Twentieth Century, which probably explains why it has a large Korean garden that has been recreated in the style of a traditional mountain village. Upon first visiting this garden, I didn’t even realize what it was until reading the signpost on the front gate.
Although I have largely avoided visiting most public places because of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, I decided the time was right to do some exploring before the onset of winter. Fortunately, my visit was rewarded by being presented with a colorful array of rich yellow gingko leaves and deep red maple trees. These colorful sights definitely helped to brighten up a somewhat disappointing year and also provided some much needed inspiration for upcoming one
Getting there
The park can be accessed by taking either bus number 6, 67 or 104, bound for “Kashiyama” or “Shin-Yokohama” from JR Tsurumi Station’s West Exit. The closest bus stop to the park is “Mitsuike-Koen-Kitamon,” which is a short walk away
