Ho-Park / Ho-Koen

The site of Nagahama Castle, which was abandoned in the Edo period, was developed into a park in 1909 (Meiji-era 42). The park is named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi, also known as Ho-Taiko, who was the lord of Nagahama Castle. In 1983 (Showa-era 58), Nagahama Castle was reconstructed to the state it was in the Azuchi-momoyama Era, and was opened to the public as a historical museum. There is a statue of Hideyoshi and a stone monument to the "Taiko Ido (Toyotomi Hideyoshi Well)" on the shore of Lake Biwa.

Surrounded by rich nature, the park is a feast for the eyes with seasonal flowers such as 150 red and white plum trees from late March to early April, azaleas from late April to early May, and fuji flowers on the wisteria trellises in early May. In particular, from early to mid-April, about 600 Someiyoshino Cherryblossom trees planted in the park bloom in unison, as if enveloping the Nagahama Castle tower. This beautiful scenery has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. The cherry blossoms can also be seen from the observatory of the Nagahama Castle Historical Museum, and the view is breathtakingly beautiful. During the cherry blossom season, the area is lit up at night for several days, making it one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Shiga Prefecture.

The park also has tennis courts and other sports facilities, as well as a children's park, making it an attractive place for adults and children to enjoy themselves.