Okuyama Park

Adjacent to the approach to Houkouji Temple (Okuyama Hansobo), a Zen temple of the Rinzai school in the Oku-Hamanako area, Okuyama Park is a popular spot for visitors before and after temple visits.

In spring, the park becomes a famous cherry blossom spot with about 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom. The view from the "Dream Floating Bridge" built over the center of the park's pond is particularly breathtaking. The cherry blossoms reflected on the pond's surface at night, illuminated by lights, create a fantastical scene. The collaboration with the lit-up three-storied pagoda of Houkouji Temple, peeking out from above the cherry blossoms, is also a magnificent sight.

Besides cherry blossoms, the park offers views of seasonal flora throughout the year, such as 3,000 hydrangea plants in early summer and autumn foliage. The "Okuyama Flower Road," a 3km path leading to the Okuyama Plateau blooming with seasonal wildflowers, and the starting point for hiking trails to the summit of Mt. Tomaki (563m) located on the border of Shizuoka and Aichi Prefectures, make it a popular outdoor spot visited by many hikers on weekends.