🗺️ Funao Castle Ruins Park船岡城址公園

The park at the old site of Funagao Castle, where Date Masamune's vassal Shibata lived until the Meiji Restoration, has been renovated. It gained national fame through the NHK historical drama "The Last Fir Tree," adapted from a novel by Yamamoto Shūgorō, which aired in 1970. The fir tree referenced in the title still stands tall in the park today. To reach the Funagao Castle site located at an elevation of 135 meters on Mount Shihō, visitors can take a slope car that climbs a 305-meter-long track from the parking lot at the mountain's base. At the summit stands the "Funagao Peace Kannon Statue," which is 24 meters high and serves as a symbolic landmark of Shibata Town, beloved by the locals. From here, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Shibata Town, the Zao mountain range, and the distant Pacific Ocean. The expansive park is also a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot, being the only location in Miyagi Prefecture selected as one of Japan's "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots." In spring, around a thousand cherry trees bloom in a stunning display that seems to cover the entire mountain. Along the Shiroishi River flowing down from the castle, the cherry trees in full bloom create a breathtaking scene. The "Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival" is held every year from early to late April, attracting over 270,000 visitors from both inside and outside the prefecture. Additionally, there are hydrangeas blooming from June to July, spider lilies (Higanbana) from September to October, and plum and daffodil flowers in March, providing beautiful seasonal flowers to enjoy throughout the year.

From the mountaintop, you can overlook the scenery of Shibata Town, the Zao mountain range, and the distant Pacific Ocean. Known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, it is the only location in Miyagi Prefecture selected as one of Japan's "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots." Throughout the four seasons, there are magnificent seasonal flowers to enjoy, ensuring new discoveries no matter when you visit.