Walks and Trips with Sachiki-san

Shidarezakura-Weeping Cherry Blossoms in Morioka Central Park Looked Like Waterfalls 4.23, 2024

Many Shidarezakura-weeping cherry trees are planted in Morioka Central Park. Now Someiyoshino cherry blossoms has passed its peak, the Shidarezakura cherry blossoms in Central Park are at their best.

The Shidarezakura cherry trees here droop so much that their branches almost touch the ground, so it looks like there are pink waterfalls all over the place.

The black tiled roof and dignified Japanese-style appearance of Morioka Memorial Museum of Great Predecessors harmonize well with the rows of cherry blossom trees.

Morioka Central Park

https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/shisetsu/sports/koen/1006914.html

The Cherry Blossoms at Tenshochi have Started Blooming 4.11, 2024

The cherry blossoms at Tenshochi in Kitakami City, one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku, have begun to bloom. Sachiki-san and I went to see it early because it gets crowded during the peak viewing season. It's been about 10 years since I saw the cherry blossoms at Tenshochi. The cherry trees at Tenshochi are planted on the east bank of the Kitakami River for about 2 km. The last time I saw the cherry blossoms here, I looked across the Kitakami River from the opposite bank, so I didn't notice that there was a large grassy area, a SL (steam locomotive) was on display and there was a dock.

The SL on display is C58 342

Together with the SL, a snowplow car is also on display. It had been used on the Kitakami Line, which runs through areas with heavy snowfall.

While I was looking at the SL and the snowplow car, I forgot that I had come to see the cherry blossoms. (lol)

A large grassy area. The row of cherry trees looks far away.

The cherry blossoms are still in deep pink buds.

The dock looks like a set for a historical drama.

Sachiki-san relaxed under the cherry trees, where there were still few people.

During the Sakura Festival, a parking fee of 500 yen will be required as a cooperation fee.

Roadside Station Shizukuishi-Anekko's Dog Park was Preparing to Open this Season 2024.3.31

The roadside station "Shizukuishi Anekko" is located by National Route 46 near the border between Iwate and Akita prefectures, about 30km west of the center of Morioka City. It has a variety of facilities including a hot spring, an auto camping ground, a dog park, a herb greenhouse, and a soba restaurant is attached.

You can camp, take hot spring, and there is a dog park. I couldn't wait for the park to open in spring, so I and Sachiki-san went to check it out (lol)

The dog park had its net removed and was still closed for the winter. According to the staff who were working on the opening preparations, it will be available for use from next Saturday.

Although we couldn't use the dog park, we had a fun walk around the area.

On the other side of this river is an auto camping ground, which was also closed during the winter. According to the website, it is scheduled to open on Friday, April 12th.

Stopped at the Dog Park at Roadside Station Taro 2.20, 2024

Sachiki-san and I stopped at the dog park at Roadside Station Taro while driving around looking for ideas to apply to Sanriku Fuyu-iro Sagashi (the Sanriku Winter Color Search) Photo Campaign. Roadside Station Taro has a pet snack shop focusing on using locally produced ingredients and a dog park.

The dog park is a little far from the roadside station building, but there is a parking space near the entrance of the dog park, so you can go there by car.
Usage hours are from sunrise to sunset and there is no charge. It is divided into areas for small dogs and medium/large dogs.

There is equipment similar to that used for dog agility.

Sachiki-san just sniffs around (lol)

Unfortunately, the pet snack shop was temporarily closed, so I couldn't buy the goat milk I was looking for. It seemed like most of the weekdays in February were closed.
There was no one else using the dog park, so it seemed like it was for private use.

Took a Walk in the Pine Grove at Goishi Coast 2.13,2024

Although this winter has been mild, Morioka, which is located inland, is still cold this year, too. For myself from the relatively warm coastal area of Iwate Prefecture, Morioka's winter is still cold, so Sachiki-san and I went to Goishi Coast in the southern part of the coastal area to escape from the cold.

Though Morioka's winters may be comfortable for Sachiki-san.

In Ofunato, where the Goishi Coast is located, the Tsubaki Matsuri, Camellia Festival, began at the end of January. It will be a while before the camellias bloom outdoors, but they are already blooming inside the greenhouse at Sekai no Tsubaki-kan Goishi, World Camellia Museum Goishi.

Sachiki-san wasn't allowed to go into the greenhouse, so we skipped there and took a walk along the Goishi Coast.

The weather was nice that day, with the temperature reaching 13 degrees Celsius.

From the parking lot, we walked through the pine grove to Goishizaki Lighthouse at the southern end of Goishi Coast.

The promenade is well maintained, and it is very easy to walk. You can see the blue sky and blue sea through the pine trees.

It's a promenade in the grove, so even Sachiki-san, who is weak against heat, can safely walk there.

I'm thinking of coming here to escape the heat in the summer.

Visited to Kamaishi Daikannon for New Year's Visit 1.19,2024

Sachiki-san and I visited to Kamaishi Daikannon for New Year's visit after Matsunouchi, the new year week, had passed, avoiding the crowds of New Year's visit.

We can bring our pets into the precinct of the temple, and as long as we hold them or keep them in cages, we can take the escalator beside the approach, enter the stupa, and the Kannon statue. We can't go into the store with our pets.

This Kannon statue is 48.5m tall and has an observatory on its chest, which corresponds to the 12th floor of a building, allowing we to view the scenery from a height of 120m above sea level.

I didn't have the confidence to walk in the building with　Sachiki-san in my arms, let alone climb up to the 12th floor, so I didn't go inside the building or the Kannon statue, but I did take a walk with Sachiki-san along the approach and in the precinct, looked out at Kamaishi Bay.

This place is designated as a Lover's Sanctuary, so I prayed the Kannon-sama to help Sachiki-san and me stay together happily ever after.

The Miyamori River Bridge Looks Like the Milky Way Train Pass over it 12.18,2023

The JR Kamaishi Line Miyamori River Bridge, which was completed 80 years ago in September 1943, is still in use today.
This bridge has been certified by various organizations, including a civil engineering heritage site selected by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and a modern industrial heritage site by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Sachiki-san and I went there, because it is also a Lover's Sanctuary.
Sachiki-san is also my lover.

Sachiki-san prefers snow to the bridges.

The SL Ginga, which was running on the Kamaishi Line after The Great East Japan Earthquake until June of this year, also passed over this bridge, and the observation facilities were in place, making it a perfect photo spot.

The SL (steam locomotive) that passed over this bridge must have been like the Miky Way Train.
The brick pillar by the side of the bridge are said to be a pillar of the bridge that was completed in November 1915, during the time when Kenji Miyazawa, who wrote ‘Night on The Milky Way Train’ was alive.

Miyamori River Bridge
https://www.city.tono.iwate.jp/index.cfm/45,26756,255,html

Morioka Illumination Bright was Full of Gentle Light 12.1, 2023

''Morioka Illumination Bright'', which was held last year as a new winter event in Morioka, has started again this year.

Illuminations are lit in the square in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum, Morioka Ekimae Dori Shopping Street, Kippushi Ryokuchi, Zaimokucho Shopping Street, Odori Shopping Street, Sakanacho Shopping Street, and Hachiman Dori Street.

The lights will be on until February 29th next year, from 5pm to 10pm.

On the first day of the lighting, Sachiki-san and I went to the main venue, the square in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum.

You will forget the time when you are in the venue filled with gentle and warm colored light.

もりおかイルミネーションブライト (moriokaillumi.com)

Felt an Early Christmas Feeling at the Wreath Festival 11.26, 2023

"Wa no Machi Morioka wreath festival" has begun, coloring the city of Morioka in winter.

Wreaths made using locally grown cedar leaves from thinning are displayed in the center of Morioka City from November 26th (Sun) to December 25th (Mon).

From November 29th (Wed) to December 3rd (Sun), the wreaths submitted by the public will be exhibited at Iwate-ken Kokaido(Iwate Prefectural Public Hall).

Sachiki-san and I went around some of the wreaths for walking.

Sachiki-san can sit but can't stay, so it's difficult to take a commemorative photo next to something.

The symbol-wreath with a diameter of 180 cm in front of Iwate-ken Kokaido(Iwate Prefectural Public Hall)

It's still November but looking at the wreaths makes me feel like Christmas or the end of the year.

A point-wreath with a diameter of 1m in front of the TV Iwate

A point-wreath with a diameter of 1m in front of Morioka History and Culture Museum

Preparations for the ``Morioka Illumination Bright'' which is about to begin are underway next to this point-wreath.

There is one symbol-wreath, 14 point-wreaths, and seven 50cm diameter sponsor-wreaths in the center of Morioka.

We will try to go around to see all of them all before Christmas.

Wa no Machi Morioka wreath festival

https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/_res/projects/default_project/_page_/001/042/384/231122rinsei1.pdf

Water of Iwai River Flowing through Genbikei was Mysterious Blue 11.1, 2023

Sachiki-san and I went to Genbikei, which is located in Ichinoseki City, about 100 km south of Morioka City, and is popular among inbound foreign tourists.

Even if you drive 100km, you're still in Iwate Prefecture, so I really think that Iwate Prefecture is huge.

It seemed like the best time to see the autumn leaves was little way away, but we found some fallen leaves that had turned red.

"Sachiki-san, this is not a snack."

The area around the gazebo where you can order ``Kakko Dango (dumpling)'', also known as ``flying dango'', is also a viewing point, so tourists were gathering.