Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I would like to introduce Jomine Park, Saitama Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from Tokyo. Jomine Park is a park located on a hill within Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park in Kamikawa Town, and is a rare spot in Japan where you can see winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves at the same time. Winter cherry blossoms are a rare type of cherry blossom that blooms from late October to early December, with small double pale pink flowers. The best time to see autumn leaves is from mid-November to late November. Since I visited in late November, I was able to enjoy the collaboration of winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. I will tell you about the bike touring to Shiromine Park.
Shiromine Park is located on a hill about 500 meters above sea level halfway up Kamiyama, and is a central park for sightseeing in the area. On the north side, there is Shimokubo Dam (Lake Kanna) below, and many flowers are in full bloom from spring to autumn. Among them, the winter cherry blossoms, of which there are approximately 600, are rare and bloom from late October to early December, and are also known as October cherry blossoms. The winter cherry blossoms with their pretty petals, combined with the autumn leaves, create a special atmosphere. It is also lit up during the winter cherry blossom season, creating a magical atmosphere.
The name of Shiromine Park comes from Kamiyama Castle, which once stood in this area. Kamiyama Castle was a strategic location that was fought over by the Hojo and Takeda clans during the Sengoku period, but it was abandoned during the Odawara conquest in 1590. Today, the castle ruins and stone monuments remain.
Route to Shiromine Park
This time, I started from central Tokyo, via the Shuto Expressway Inner Loop Line and the Kanetsu Expressway, and exited at the Honjo-Kodama IC. From the Honjo-Kodama IC, I took National Route 462 towards Kamikawa-cho, but along the way I turned onto Prefectural Route 331. This road passes through a district called Yano, but if you keep going, you will arrive at Jomine Park.
Overall, it was a comfortable ride, but there is a possibility of getting stuck in traffic on the Kanetsu Expressway, and on Prefectural Route 331, you need to be careful about the condition of the road and passing each other. Additionally, the road may be closed during the winter, so we recommend checking in advance.
Jomine Park has many spots where you can enjoy nature and scenery. When I visited, the winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves were in full bloom, and the entire park was dyed in red and pink. Winter cherry blossoms are at their best in late November, but other flowers such as azaleas and cherry blossoms also bloom. The flowers in the park are resistant to wind and sunlight and emit beautiful colors.
In the center of Jomine Park is the Jomine Park Campground. Bungalows and tent sites are available here. We also rent camping equipment, so you can enjoy camping empty-handed. From the campsite, you can see views of Lake Kanna and the Northern Alps. There is also a restaurant and souvenir shop, Rest House Jomine, and a barbecue house. .
What impressed me most was the illumination of the winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The illumination is held from late October to early December. From dusk to night, the winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are illuminated with lights, creating a magical atmosphere. In particular, when the winter cherry blossoms are lit up, their colors become darker and look even more beautiful. The illuminated winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves looked like a painting.
Motorcycle parking lot at Jomine Park
There is a parking lot at Jomine Park that you can use for free. There is space for about 100 cars, but it can get crowded during the winter cherry blossom season. I went on a weekday, so I was able to park easily.
One thing to keep in mind when parking your bike is the condition of the road surface. Be careful of gravel, mud, etc. It is also important to secure your bike so that it does not fall over when the wind is strong.
Summary
This time, I introduced Jomine Park in Saitama Prefecture, which I toured by motorcycle from Tokyo. Jomine Park is a rare spot in Japan where you can see winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves at the same time. Winter cherry blossoms bloom with small double pale pink flowers, and the autumn leaves are brightly colored. The illuminated winter cherry blossoms and autumn leaves create a magical atmosphere. I went with my favorite Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide, and it was a comfortable ride. Jomine Park is a recommended spot for motorcycle touring.
