Located in Kurayoshi City in Tottori Prefecture (Japan’s least-populated prefecture), Utsubuki Park is an off-the-beaten-path destination that lets visitors enjoy cherry blossoms away from large crowds. Thousands of trees bloom here from late March to mid-April, and the park is counted among Japan’s top 100 city parks and cherry blossom viewing spots. Aside from cherry blossoms, the park has hiking trails, a pond garden and other seasonal views.
Best of all, public transportation makes this park accessible from other regional attractions such as the Tottori Sand Dunes and Mount Daisen.
Built for a Prince, Maintained for the People
To commemorate Japan’s crown prince visiting the region, the park was constructed in 1904. Since then, it has become a place where visitors and locals of all ages can enjoy the outdoors.
The park sits at the foot of Mount Utsubuki—a 204-meter-high peak that was once the site of Kurayoshi City’s feudal castle. The park provides convenient access to mountain trails that lead to the former castle grounds, the mountain’s summit and observation towers.
The main area of Utsubuki Park has a playground, a zoo and a famous photo spot called Hagoromo Pond.
The Park’s Four Seasons
About 4,000 cherry blossom trees bloom annually and the flowers are welcomed with a spring festival. Food stalls in the park sell festival treats like yakisoba (stir-fried noodles with pork) and baby castella (mini sponge cakes). Lanterns are also installed in the park at this time, so visitors can enjoy the blossoms day or night. The festival continues as nearly 40,000 azaleas bloom later in April and stay through early May.
Summer brings the Utsubuki Festival, an event featuring fireworks and taiko drum performances. Utsubuki Park Street—located near the park as the name suggests—is one popular venue for festival events.
The canopies of Utsubuki Park transform into bright reds and oranges from late November to early December. Meanwhile, late winter welcomes camellia blossoms—some of which bloom on trees that are over 300 years old.
Nearby Attractions
Photo by: PIXTA/dekoboko
Kurayoshi is known for its historic townscapes, a pear museum, a bamboo forest and more in addition to Utsubuki Park. Whenever you visit Tottori, Kurayoshi is an accessible destination for day trips or overnight stays.
