Cherry Tree Pruning Work was Being Done at Takamatsunoike Pond 3.19, 2025

When Sachiki-san and I lived in Morioka City, we sometimes took walks around Takamatsunoike Pond. We had dog friend dogs there, walked with us when we met them while we were walking.

Even after moving, I still get sachiki-san ​​shampooed at our favorite dog salon in Morioka City, so we take a walk in Morioka City before going to the salon.​ This time we stopped by Takamatsunoike Pond.

It's been a while since we last walked around Takamatsunoike Pond, and there were only a few swans. Most of them seem to have returned north.

Cherry tree pruning work was being done around the pond.
The cherry trees here have been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan," and together with Morioka Castle Site Park, it is the venue for the "Morioka Sakura (cherry blossoms) Festival."

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

Enjoyed the Snow at Takamatsu Park for the First Time in a While 1.19, 2025

Kamaishi City, which faces the Pacific Ocean, has many dry, sunny days in the winter and does not snow much.

Having moved to Kamaishi City from Morioka City, where snow often accumulates, Sachiki-san may be having a slightly unsatisfying winter.

Today is the day to get Sachiki-san ​​shampooed at the dog salon in Morioka City that we have been going to since before moving.

We arrived in Morioka early to go to the salon after a walk in Morioka City, and took a walk in Takamatsu Park, which is not far from the salon. Takamatsu Park is a park where we sometimes went for walks when we lived in Morioka City.

There was snow in Takamatsu Park, so we were able to take a walk in the snow for the first time in a while.

I'm sure Sachiki-san had a great time.

Took a Walk in Takamatsu Park before Going to the Veterinary Clinic 10.18, 2024

October is the month when Sachiki-san is given a mixed vaccine.

He is given a rabies vaccine in the spring and a mixed vaccine in the autumn.

Sachiki-san and I moved from Morioka City to Kamaishi City at the end of last month, but I drove more than two hours each way to our favorite veterinary clinic in Morioka City to get his vaccine.

Since the journey had been long, we took a walk in Takamatsu Park nearby the veterinary clinic before vaccination.

Sachiki-san, who didn't know that he was about to get his vaccine, seemed to be happy and excited. (lol)

Went to Wan Nyan Matsuri-Dog and Cat Festival Held at the Multipurpose Square in Takamatsu Park 5.26, 2024

Sachiki-san and I sometimes go for walks at Takamatsu Park. There is Takamatsu Pond, which is a sightseeing spot, and the multipurpose square etc. Recently, we come more often to the multipurpose square with a larger lawn than Takamatsu Pond.

When we went for a walk on May 25th, I saw a sign that said, "Dog and Cat Festival Entrance/Exit", so I got curious and checked it up, and found out that it was an event to be held the next day.

According to the event information, in addition to selling handmade pet clothes, accessories, miscellaneous goods, and snacks, there will also be food trucks. There will also be a rescue cat adoption event and a lecture.

So, on the 26th, we went for a walk at Takamatsu Park.

I was worried about a shortage of parking lots, so we went to the parking lot where I usually park my car around 9:30, 30 minutes before the event started. It was almost full, but I managed to find a parking lot.

As we were walking around the park, people with dogs started to gather one after another.

As for Sachiki-san, he moved to the shade of a tree to avoid the sun and refused to move from there.

On the way home, I put Sachiki-san in my car and then hurried around the event venue by myself.
There was a Bernese Mountain dog there, and when I talked to the owner, she said that the sun was strong and the dog's black color absorbed the heat from the sun, so she put a cooling vest on him. I should have put one on Sachiki-san too.

We left the park at 11:00, an hour after the event had started, but there was a traffic jam from the parking lot to the high school.

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

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

Kearashi-steam fog Rising at Takamatsunoike Pond 9.25, 2023

This morning Sachiki-san and I went to Takamatsunoike Pond for a walk.

6 a.m., the temperature was about 11℃. It was cold this morning too.

Kearashi rising from the surface of the water illuminated by the morning sun.

In meteorological terms, this is called "steam fog."

In just a month, the swans will be arriving.

Takamatsu Park
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

To Avoid the Heat, Went to the Dog park in Morioka Central Park Early in the Morning 8.11, 2023

The days the maximum temperature close to 35 degrees Celsius are continuing.

It's hot from the morning, let alone during the day, so Sachik-san and I went to the dog park in Morioka Central Park very early in the morning.

This dog park is open from sunrise to sunset. At this time of year, it is open from around 4.40 am.

Dog owners think the same way.

There were already people using it at 5 am.

The Shiba Inu dog wanted to play with Sachiki-san, but Sachiki-san was playing at his own pace.

Debuted at a dog park in Morioka Central Park 6.11,2023

Sachiki-san and I go for a walk almost every day to Morioka Central Park, which is about a 15-minute drive from my home. However, the dog park in the park shall be used from sunrise to sunset, so we, often go at night, have registered for use, but we have not used it yet.

We visited Morioka Central Park on Sunday afternoon June 11th to see an event taking place in the park. When we passed by the dog park, no one is in the area where large dogs can be used. For us, have never used a dog park, it is a perfect opportunity to try.

Sachiki-san and I usually run side by side with the leash attached even when we run during a walk, but today we took off the leash and chased after each other.

He still doesn't obey the "come" command but was able to follow me.

The dog park has an area of about 1,400 square meters that can be used regardless of the size of the dog, and an area of about 600 square meters exclusively for small dogs. Each of which has benches with a roof.

To use the dog park, you need to register as a user or register as a visitor. "Morioka Dog-Run Supporters", which had been in charge of registration and reception until now, ended the management consignment contract from Morioka City last year. Therefore, for the time being, inquiries regarding dog park should be directed to Morioka City Hall Koen-Midori ka (Parks and Greens Section).

A Warbler was Beatifully Singing at Morioka Hachimangu Shrine 4.15, 2023

This morning Sachiki-san and I walked at Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. Sometimes we take a walk around Hachimangu Shrine, but usually we just pass by there and walk further. This morning, there were few people walking at the shrine before 6 o'clock, so we entered the precincts. We had never entered the precincts since the New Year's visit. Three other dogs were walking in the precincts.

When Sachiki-san was sitting in front of the main shrine, a song of a Japanese bush warbler was coming.

Some bush warblers are not good at singing, but this morning's warble was singing beautifully.

Visited Morioka Sakura-matsuri Venues before a Flurry of Cherry Blossoms Dances in the Wind 4.11, 2023

The cherry blossoms in Morioka bloomed on April 3rd, 15 days earlier than average, and reached full bloom on April 6th, 18 days earlier than average. The period from flowering to full bloom is 6 days in an average year, but this year it was only 3 days to full bloom. At this rate, it's going to turn into a flurry of cherry blossoms soon.

The Morioka Sakura-matsuri (Cherry Blossoms Festival), which is held in conjunction with the blooming of cherry blossoms, will be held earlier than usual this year, from April 7th (Friday) to May 7th (Friday). The venues are Morioka Castle Site and Takamatsunoike Pond. Both are places where Sachiki-san and I sometimes go out for a walk.

On this day when Sachiki-san was off from the dog school, Sachiki-san and I visited two venues of the festival. 

First, we visited Morioka Castle Site.

Sachiki-san seemed to be more attracted by the petals that have fallen to the ground than the flowers blooming on the branches. And tries to chase them whenever the wind blows them. I'm glad we were able to come before a flurry oof cherry blossom dances in the wind.

At Morioka Castle Site, I was asked, "Did you come to Kakunodate yesterday?" It seemed that she had seen Sachiki-san in Kakunodate and remembered him.

Next, we moved to Takamatsunoike Pond. It is about 15 minutes by car from Morioka Castle Site. Although it is not clearly visible in the photo, Mt. Iwate looked beautiful.

At night, we visited the Morioka Castle Site again and enjoyed the cherry blossoms lit up at night.

We sometimes visit the Morioka Castle Site for a walk, but since I moved to Morioka in the spring of 2020 when the new coronavirus infection began to spread, I have never seen so many people.

Morioka Sakura-matsuri (Cherry Blossoms Festival)
https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kankou/kankou/1037103/1037212/sakura/1007958.html

Takamatsunoike Pond Turned into a Snowy Field 2.6. 2023

Morioka had heavy snow five days ago. When Sachiki-san and I went to Takamatsunoike Pond, I couldn't tell if it was a pond or a snowfield. Swans and other waterfowl were gathered in the narrow remaining water surface surrounded by ice covering the pond.

Sachiki-san now walks 2 to 3 km in one walk, but this time we walked about 1.4 km on the promenade around the pond, which took about an hour. The walking speed is slow, but Sachiki-san was busy sniffing around the snowy road.

The weather was fine, and I could see Mt. Iwate well.

Takamatsu Park

https://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/kurashi/midori/koen/1010492.html

Visited Morioka Hachimangu Shrine for New Year's Visit 1.5.2023

Sachiki-san and I visited Morioka Hachimangu, the stutelary shrine of Morioka, for New Year's visit.

We tried to go on the 4th avoiding the crowds on the first three days of the New Year. However, when we went around noon on the 4th, the car park at the shrine and car parks around the shrine were full. Moreover, the road in front of the shrine was under temporary traffic regulations, so we gave up on the New Year's visit and started again before 7 o'clock this morning. The car park and precincts of the shrine were not crowded.

At the shrine, I vowed, "I will take care of Sachiki-san until the very end." And I bought a set of charms as proof of that. It is a set that one charm has printed Chinese characters and the other has an embroidered illustration of paw. So Sachiki-san and I each can bring it.

When I bought the charms with Sachiki-san held in my arms at the shrine office, Sachiki-san was quiet, so the person at the shrine office said, "It's not a stuffed dog, is it?"

Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1680. Various events are held throughout the year, such as Hadaka-mairi visiting naked in winter, Chagu Chagu Umakko horse festival in early summer, and Dashi floats and Yabusame horseback archery in autumn.