🗺️ Asahiyama Park旭ヶ岡公園

The park is famous for being one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in Saga Prefecture. It boasts a vast number of cherry trees, claiming that "you can see 5,000 cherry blossoms at a glance," and the spectacular cherry blossom scenery when in full bloom is incredibly enchanting. Particularly impressive is the cherry blossom-lined road leading to the park, described as a "cherry blossom tunnel." Every year, during the flowering period from late March to early April, the "Sakura Festival" is held, attracting many flower viewers from within the prefecture. It is also beautifully illuminated at night. The park is located on the site of the former castle of the old Kashima Domain. During the "Saga Rebellion" in the 7th year of the Meiji era (1874), the main keep and most buildings were burned down, but remnants such as stone walls, the Otemon Gate, and the Akamon Gate still remain. Due to its significant historical and cultural value, it has been selected as one of the "100 Historical Parks of Japan." The last lord of the Kashima Domain, Nabeshima Naoaki, planted Yoshino cherry saplings here, opened the castle to the public, and held banquets, which also marked the beginning of Asukaoka Park becoming a cherry blossom viewing destination. Next to the park is the "Shouin Shrine," which honors Naoaki and the successive lords of the Kashima Domain.

Selected as one of the "100 Historical Parks of Japan," this park retains the Otemon gate and stone walls of the former Kashima Castle. With a large number of cherry blossoms in bloom, it is renowned for having "5,000 cherry trees visible at a glance," making it one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Saga Prefecture. The cherry blossom path, known as the "Sakura Tunnel," is truly spectacular. During the cherry blossom festival, nighttime illuminations are also held.