Autumn Kochia in Ibaraki ・ When Fall Weather Turns the Hills into Blushing Waves of Red
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When the summer comes to an end, admiring Ibaraki’s kochia bushes is a great way to enjoy the changing of the seasons in Japan.
Japan is a country of four seasons, and watching those seasons change is a national pastime, leading to traditions like hanami (花見), where friends gather to view blooming cherry blossoms and other flowers, and koyo (紅葉), when the people of Japan flock to parks and natural vistas to watch the leaves change into a riot of reds and yellows. Usually, the fall tradition of koyo involves vibrant Japanese maples and tall trees towering overhead, but in Hitachi Seaside Park, visitors instead come to admire bright red leaves that grow a little closer to the ground. These fluffy tufts of autumn red are kochia bushes, and they cover the Ibaraki hillside.
Hitachi Seaside Park is, unsurprisingly, a natural space stretched out along a little chunk of Japan’s eastern coast, in the prefecture of Ibaraki. The land was once an airbase for the Japanese military, before being taken over by the US in the post-war period, and turned into a bomb-training facility for the US Air Force. Local residents were not particularly happy with this setup, as bombing drills passed by overhead and sometimes dropped accidental shells to the ground. Protests eventually resulted in the US returning the land, which was transformed into a park as a symbol of peace. Nowadays, Hitachi Seaside Park has wide open grassy fields, gardens of flowers, ocean views, a giant Ferris wheel, sports facilities, and more.
Different plants come into season throughout the year, and the park is a popular destination to view a variety of natural wonders, including tulips, narcissus, nemophila (baby blue eyes), roses, and of course red kochia bushes. These little bushes go from a verdant green to rusty reds and dusty shades of rose as the weather starts to cool in Autumn, creating a unique natural vista in front of the Ibaraki seaside. (These pictures were taken in mid-October.)
The round little bushes look like pom poms covering the green fields, and lined up along the many paths. Don’t forget to wear comfy walking shoes, so you can really explore all the routes through the hills.
During the peak of kochia season, when all the bushes make up a ruddy red sea blowing in the wind besides the real ocean, Hitachi Seaside Park can get fairly crowded. It took a while for me to find a place to take a picture in front of this unique koyo landscape!
At the same time as the kochias, Hitachi Seaside Park also has some picturesque little meadows filled with pink and white cosmos, with the blossoms floating among the soft green stems. Head out to Ibaraki next time you’re in Japan during the fall, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for this dreamy scene as well!
Hitachi Seaside Park
605-4 Onuma-aza, Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki
Hours and ticket prices are seasonal.
Official Website (en)
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Original Author: Pin
English Edition: Sophia Appelbaum
Details
NAME:Hitachi Seaside Park (ひたち海浜公園)
I've lived in Tokyo for a few years now, and I love wandering Japan looking for good food, lovely new places, and the best tourist attractions throughout the country.
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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