Mato Park

The park was built in 1917 at the foot of Mt. Mato in the Masuda district of Yokote City to commemorate the accession to the throne of Emperor Taisho. The park, with a pond and a central island set against the mountain, is planted with approximately 2,000 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino and Yamazakura, and is recognized as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, and is also recognized as one of the "100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.

The "Mato Park Cherry Blossom Festival" is held from mid-April to early May, when the cherry blossoms are at their best. During the festival, boats are available for rent at the park marsh, and visitors can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms from the pond with petals floating on the surface of the water. After sunset, bonbori (paper lanterns) are lit, creating a different atmosphere from that of the park during the daytime. During the festival, there is also a "tarai-kogi race," in which participants ride on tarai floated on the pond, balancing on their hands to keep them from tipping over. The event started when young sake brewers competed with each other to see how fast they could ride the tarai, which was used to make sake.