Sakuragawa tourist Information Early to late April is the season of yamazakura, wild cherry blossoms. The picture on the left is Mt. Amamaki Welcome to City of Sakuragawa, with lots of wild cherry trees. The light-red blossoms and other trees’ fresh-green buds create a splendid view. Some say it a wild country looks as if it were a patch-work art. The picture on the right is the cherry blossoms of Sakuragawa Cherry Tree. The trees stand in the Isobe Sakuragawa Park. Also, the ones standing along the path towards Sakuragawa Isobe Inamura Shrine are selected as national scenic beauty. All the cherry trees in the area are designated as Sakuragawa Cherry Tree, a national 2 natural treasure, too. 11 representative varieties of cherry trees among Sakuragawa Cherry Trees Sakuragawa- Kaba-nioi Hatsukasane- Hatsumi- Yamato- nioi sakura sakura sakura

Photos provided by Genji-sakura Shirakumo- Usuke-sakura Ao-sakura Aoke-sakura Umebachi- Sakura Saku Sato 1 Project sakura sakura 02 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 03 Sakayori mandarin orange Sakuragawa, a scenery with a story colorizing Mt.

The landscape of the mountain- foot area changes day by day, 4 Masumigaike Pond, a place temples and shrines with flowers for swans’ stopover and autumn leaves, and soothing forests where children are playing around, all of them create the city of Sakuragawa into scenery with a 8 story. 5 Spring famous temple for the 3 hydrangea Amabikisan Autumn Rakuhoji Temple (Amabiki Sakuragawa Isobe Inamura Shrine covered Kannon) with wild cherry blossoms Summer 7 10 Sakuragawa with refreshing 6 breeze letting you know the beginning of summer Winter

Shiiosan Yakuoin Temple Famous temples for autumn leaves: 11 with elegant smell of plum Yokozan Gassanji Temple and Kunseizan blossoms Uenonuma Yasuragi no Sato, located along Yakuoji Temple Sunrise over Mt. Tsukuba Lake Uenonuma seen from Lake Tsukushi 9 04 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 05 Strolling around the Town Makabe Old Town Structure Mountain Walking

The town of Makabe stretches in Various mountain trails in the the west side of Makabe Castle Site, city with north-south-stretching a national historic treasure. You can View from the top of Mt. Amabiki: mountain rows. Azaleas bloom gorgeously in late feel the atmosphere of the old time of April. Mt. Ontake and Mt. Amabiki the period, when watching the feature easy access from Iwase historic town structure, warehouses station. Mt. Tsukuba is acces- and gates. sible from Lake Tsukushi and The town was designated as an through Yakuoin Temple. Mt. Important Preservating District for Kaba with huge rocks has been Groups of Historic Building in 2010. worshiped as a sacred mountain.

Makabe Castle Site, a national historic site 13 The Minanogawa River flowing down from Mt. Tsukuba 14 Makabe Denshokan (Folklore Community Center)

Sudajii trees stand on the precinct of Yakuoin Temple 12 Mountain trail on Mt. Kaba

The Mt. Tsukuba area including the city of Sakuragawa was selected as a Geo Park in September 2016. 06 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 07 Iwase Rest Station P B B Misegura (retail and store space) Enjoy cycling on Tsukuba- 4.6 km Amabiki Elementary of Kawashima Book Store (roughly 30-minute School Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road ! by bike) A A short break ♪

This is a long cycling road of a total length 180km. It connects Iwase T s u k Station in Sakuragawa and Itako station via the city of Tsuchira and Lake u b Amabiki Rest 5.3 km a P - K Station Take a break at Makabe Kasumigaura. On the way of cycling in Sakuragawa, you can enjoy the a (roughly 30-minute s u by bike) m previous Makabe Denshokan (Folklore mountain view of Mt. Amabiki, Mt. Kaba and Mt. Tsukuba as well as the old i g a Community Center) u Post Office

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d d Momoyama A beautiful Mt. Tsukuba is reflecting on the surface of the Gakuen lake on a windless calm day. Compulsory Lots of visitors are relaxing in walking and cycling on Education Makabe Rest holidays. School P Station Refreshing breeze♪ 9.9 km (roughly 50-min ute by bike) C Lake Tsukushi

Tsukuba Rest P The road from Iwase to utilizes the disconnected railroad of old Tsukuba In spring the cycling road is colorized with beautiful cherry blossoms. Station Line. While cycling, you can feel the traces of good old days when the railway was in A trip to encounter operation. Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road has seven bicycle Rental stations (rental is for a charge) and you can drop off the rental bike at any station. Mt. Tsukuba a nostalgic landscape Booking a rental bicycle Lacus Marina ℡029-822-2437 http://www.lacusmarina.com/ 08 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 09 Local products & Craftworks Makabe from Sakuragawa Stone products Indigo-dyeing

Yuzu jam Fukure-mikan Sakuragawa produces Inada (mandarin orange) granite, Makabe granite, Haguro Aonukame granite processed goods Sakayori Mikan picking and other quality stones. (mandarin oranges) The stone production is a symbolic industry offering The Makabe district is the northern limit gravestones, stone lanterns in mandarin orange cultivation. Tourist Yuzu (Citrus junos) Fukure-Mikan mandarin oranges have been cul- and art works. They create tivated in the Makabe district since ancient farms are open from late October to a new field of stone prod- The tradition of indigo-dyeing has been cherished since Yuzu jam with less times. Their dried peels with good aroma are December. Please enjoy the rich sweet- ucts that more people have ancient times. You can try indigo-dyeing here. sugar and sweet aroma. used as an ingredient of shichimi-togarashi, a ness. got involved in lately. For more information, Makabe Indigo-dyeing Preservation table spice for Japanese dishes. Society.（℡0296-55-1920） Makabe Stone Lantern, Kodamasuika, Kotabe Founding, bells of a traditional craftworks small-sized watermelons a Buddhist temple designated by the nation. Benikodamasuika (red-flesh small- Top-quality Japan has seven Buddhist sized watermelon) is designated as a delicious rice temple founding compa- brand variety of growing district by nies and Kotabe founding Ibaraki Prefectural Government. located in the Makabe They are very popular for the sweet- district is the only one in ness and deliciousness. the Kanto region. The Tasting a wide variety bell is called in bonsho in of local sake Japanese, which is set at Making a tour of the bell tower at a temple. Japanese-style Shoyu (soy sauce) confections Miso (soybean paste) Hitachi Akisoba, Since the city of Sakuragawa Due to the mild climate and buckwheat noodles Sakuragawa provides quality has lots of Japanese-style good water from the mountains Wind chimes with water fit for making delicious The city of Sakuragawa boasts Ibaraki’s second cake shops. Stop by at differ- the rice grown here features the Buddhist bell sake, miso and shoyu, which largest buckwheat production in terms of area ent cake shops and try some. excellent aroma and taste. shape are avail- It’s a lot of fun. will be good souvenirs. and quantity. You can see pretty buckwheat flowers in autumn. able. 10 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 11 Makabe Hinadoll Festival (a girls’ festival) Makabe Gion Festival ◆ Spring ◆ ○ Makabe Hinadoll Festival (February 4 to March 3) February 4 to March 3 July 23 to 26 Venue: Town Street of Makabe / Takagami-cho Parking 279-1 Makabe, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa Hydrangea Festival ○ Cherry Blossom Festival in Sakuragawa, a scenic beauty (From mid-March to late April) June 10 to July 20 Location: Isobe Sakuragawa Park / 740-2 Isobe, Sakuragawa ○ Madara Kishinsai Festival (The second Sunday of April) Location: Amabikisan Rakuho-ji Temple 1 Motogi, Sakuragawa / ℡0296-58-5009 ○ SAKURA Festival (mid-April) Cherry Blossom Festival in Location: Sakuragawa City Sports Park Sakuragawa, a scenic beauty 2685-14 Iwase, Sakuragawa) ○ Yamato Yabusame Competition / Japanese mounted From mid-March to late April archery competition (late May) Location: Yamato Horse Park / 4432-6 Okunitama, Sakuragawa ℡0296-58-7196 Started by local people’s word, “Let’s welcome visitors warmly Amabiki Kannon has been worshiped ○ Hydrangea Festival (June 10 to July 20) The cherry blossoms can be seen for nearly one Location: Amabikisan Rakuho-ji Temple / 1 Motogi, Sakuragawa during the cold season,” this event represents the city of Makabe. since the ancient times and in the pre- This festival takes place at Gosho month at different spots such as Sakuragawa Isobe cinct various kinds of flowers such as ℡0296-58-5009 Various kinds of hina-dolls are displayed at over 160 residences Inamura Shrine, Isobe Sakuragawa Park, Takamine, Komagataki Shrine with a history ○ Ymato Stone Festival (early June) and storehouses along the street. cherry blossoms, azaleas, peony and of over 400 years. Four festive Location: Sakuragawa City Office, Yamato Branch, and Amabikisan Rakuho-ji Temple. Parking Lot (1023 Haneta, Sakuragawa) hydrangea which is well known as a floats with beautiful decoration rainy season beauty. move on the street of Makabe. ◆ Summer ◆ ○ Makabe Gion Festival (July 23 to 26) SAKURA Festival Yamato Stone Festival Location: Town Street of Makabe / Takagami-cho Parking Madara Kishinsai Festival 279-1 Makabe, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa early June ○ The second Sunday of April mid-April Noryo Taikai, a summer evening event (August) Kattate Festival Location: Sakuragawa City Sports Park Noryo Taikai, 2685-14 Iwase, Sakuragawa ○ a summer evening event August 31 Kattate Festival (August 31) Location: Gosho Komagataki Shrine August 503 Yamao, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa ℡0296-55-1487

◆ Autumn ◆ ○ Sakuragawa Walking (mid-Novemnber to early December) This event features stone products, one Location: Shiiosan Yakuoin Temple and other places 3178 Shiio, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa of representative local products. In the ℡0296-55-4319 (Shiiosan Yakuoin Temple) An unusual festival at venue, lots of stone lanterns and objects Amabikisan Rakuho-ji are displayed. ◆ Winter ◆ Temple. People express Local people are looking forward to this The shrine parishioners of Gosho ○ Omeshi Matsuri / Large Serving of Rice Festival) (The second Sunday of December) their thanks to a demon- bon dance gathering. The circles of Komagataki Shrine host this event While the wild cherry blossoms are blooming, Location: Shimoizumi Community Center god. people including homecomings get to thank to the god on the top of 374-3 Shimoizumi, Sakuragawa lots of events take place, promoting local together surrounding a festival tower Mt. Gongenyama by presenting ○ Hiwatari, firewalking (December, the winter solstice) products including stone goods. You can Location: Kaba Saenazumi Shrine and enjoy bon dancing. sacred fire. enjoy all the city attractions during the day. 809 Nagaoka, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa ℡0296-55-1012 12 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 13 Mashiko, ● By car ～ Sakuragawa Map ～ ▲Mt. Amemaki ・From/To (Misato IC) Tomobe JCT on Joban Expressway ⇒ Sakuragawa- TOHOKU Mt. IC on Kitakanto Expressway 1 -1 ▲ EXPRESSWAY 1 7 Takamine ・From/To Tokyo (Misato IC ～ Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa) -1 A rich profusion of wild cherry trees Yokozan Gassan-ji Temple Kasama JOBAN around Takamine / Mt. Amamaki Location : 1677 Nishikobanawa, Kagamigaike Tsuchiura-Kita IC on Joban Expressway ⇒ Prefectural Route Location : Hirasawa District in Sakuragawa Sakuragawa / ℡0296-75-2251 Pond 14 ⇒Prefectural Route 41 ⇒Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa EXPRESSWAY and other places (Hirasawa Community ・From/To Utsunomiya (Utsunomiya-Kaminokawa IC) Center 702 Hirasawa, Sakuragawa) Sakayori8 Mikanen Tourist Farm Sakuragawa City Office, Sakuragawa Iwase Branch Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC on Kita-Kanto Expressway (Mandarin orange orchard) River 4 ・From/To Iwaki (Iwaki IC) Kasama- Location : Sakayori, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa Sakuragawa- 2 7 Tomobe JCT on Joban Expressway⇒Sakuragawa-Chikusei Nishi IC -21 A rich profusion of wild cherry trees Sakuragawa Chikusei IC Chikusei IC Mt. Ontake / Mt. Amabiki / Iwase IC on Kita-Kanto Expressway⇒Route 50⇒Sakuragawa⇒ Uenonuma 6 Station （Or, from Kasama-Nishi IC on Kita-Kanto Expressway） Mt. Haneda and surrounding areas 9 Haguro Kunseizan Yakuoji Temple Pond K 10 Station Iwase Station Location : Sakuragawa City Office Yamato Yamato en Location : 1375 Aoki, Sakuragawa Station - Branch (1023 Haneda, Sakuragawa) and O y ● By train ℡0296-54-4569 Expresswa Haguro Station surrounding areas / ℡0296-58-5111 1 -2 9 Masumigaike ・From/To Tokyo / Utsunomiya (JR ) Oyama Station JR ROUTE50 Tsukuba-Kasumigaura 10 Ring Ring Road Pond JR Utsunomiya Line / Oyama Station⇒JR Mito Line / Masumigaike Pond 5 50 Location : 1829 Tomobe, Sakuragawa Iwase Station⇒Go sightseeing by taxi Isobe2 Sakuragawa Park Sakuragawa City Office, JR Mito Line Yamato Branch ▲Mt. Amabiki ・From/To Tokyo (TX Akihabara Station) Location : 740-2 Isobe, Sakuragawa KITA-KANTO 11 Lake Tsukushi Tsukuba Express / ⇒Tsukuba Center Bus JR utsunomiya EXPRESSWAY Location : 3196 Shiio, Makabe-cho, Chikusei Stop No. 3 Shuttle Bus North Route⇒Get off at Sakuragawa Line Yamato Station Shiiosan3 Yakuoin Temple Ishioka Tsukubasan-guchi⇒Sakuragawa City Bus, riding Tomobe Station Location : 3178 Shiio, Makabe-cho, time:30min⇒Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa 125 ROUTE Tomobe JCT 12 The Site of Makabe Castle, designated Sakuragawa Sakuragawa / ℡0296-55-4319 ▲Mt. Kaba ・From/To Iwaki (Iwaki Station) 125 as a national historic site River Tsukuba Station Location : Makabe Gymnasium, Furushiro, Tomobe Station on JR Joban Line⇒Iwase Station on JR Mito Line⇒Go sightseeing by taxi Sakuragawa4 Isobe Inamura Shrine Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa Tsuchiura-Kita IC 377 Furushiro, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa and Jyoso IC 294 Location : 779 Isobe, Sakuragawa 13 the surroundings ● For chartered buses ℡0296-75-2838 Sakuragawa City Office, ROUTE 14 12 Makabe Branch ・Takajomachi Parking Lot 294 13 Makabe Old Town Structure (address: 279-1 Makabe, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa, Ibaraki) Tsukuba Location : Makabe Denshokan (Folklore Amabisan5 Rakuho-ji Temple Sakuragawa Reservation in advance is required. Express : 1 Motogi, Sakuragawa Community Center) Tsukuba-chuo IC Location River ＊Reservation: City Development Division, Sakuragawa City Office ℡0296-58-5009 198 Makabe, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa and surrounding areas ℡0296-58-5111 JR Joban Line 11 ● Taxi Uenonuma6 Yasuragi no Sato Camping Site 14 Makabe Denshokan KEN-O Location : 48 Uenoharachi-shinden, Lake 3 ・Uchida Taxi : 0296-55-0122 (Folklore Community Center) Tsukushi EXPRESSWAY Sakuragawa / ℡0296-76-0952 Location : 198 Makabe, Makabe-cho, 8 Located in Makabe-cho Sakuragawa / ℡0296-23-8521 ▲Mt. Tsukuba ・Okada Hired Car : 0296-75-2009 Tsukuba Located in front of Iwase Station 14 sakuragawa tourist information sakuragawa tourist information 15 Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, Sakuragawa City Office

〒300-4495 911 Iitsuka, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa, Ibaraki TEL ０２９６－５５－１１１１ TEL ０２９６－５５－１１５９（dial-in） City of Sakuragawa search