Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, we toured from central Tokyo to Umikaze Park in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture on his Harley Sports Glide. We will introduce what kind of place Umikaze Park is, how to get there, and how you can enjoy it.
What is Umikaze Park?
Umikaze Park is a coastal park located between Sarushima and Kannonzaki at the mouth of Tokyo Bay. It is known as a scenic spot where you can see ships sailing through Sarushima and Uraga Channel. There are sports facilities that you can use while looking out at the sea, and a square where you can enjoy a barbecue. Additionally, an ancient Roman-style concrete barracks called Third Sea Fort, built during the Meiji period, is on display as a valuable civil engineering heritage.
Route to Umikaze Park
I took the Shuto Expressway from central Tokyo toward Yokohama. Get off the Shuto Expressway near Yokohama Station and enter National Route 16. National Route 16 passes through Yokohama City and Kawasaki City before entering Yokosuka City. In Yokosuka City, enter Prefectural Route 24 from National Route 16. Prefectural Route 24 runs along the coast, and along the way you can see naval facilities and the Battleship Mikasa Memorial Museum. After driving along Prefectural Route 24 for a while, you will see a sign for Umikaze Park on your right. Turn right there and walk a short distance to the park entrance.
Highlights of Umikaze Park
Umikaze Park has a variety of attractions. I especially recommend the following three.
barbecue
Umikaze Park has a lawn area where you can have a barbecue. From the lawn plaza, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Sarushima and Tokyo Bay. The lawn area is free to use, but open fires are prohibited, so you will need to bring your own special equipment such as a grill or stove. Also, all trash must be taken home. If you want to enjoy a barbecue without bringing your own, it is convenient to use the barbecue rental shop (Umikaze Base) located inside the park.
sports
Umikaze Park also has plenty of facilities where you can enjoy sports. BMX Park is a competition facility that combines multiple jumping hills, and can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experts. You can ride the mountain bike course while feeling the sea breeze of Yokosuka. There is also a wall tennis court, a skateboard area, and a 3×3 basketball court.
history
There are also places in Umikaze Park where you can feel the history. The most notable of these is the Roman-style concrete barracks known as Third Sea Fort. The Third Sea Fort was part of a fortress built during the Meiji period to protect Tokyo, but it collapsed during the Great Kanto Earthquake. Later, it was removed to ensure the safety of the Tokyo Bay shipping lanes, but the barracks that were salvaged at that time were relocated to Umikaze Park. The barracks is a structure consisting of two living quarters and a connecting passageway, and is a must-see for those interested in architectural technology and military history of the time.
Motorcycle parking lot at Umikaze Park
Umikaze Park has a parking lot for those who use the park. Motorcycles can be parked in the bicycle parking lot. You will need to walk to the bicycle parking lot via the sidewalk, so please let your bike know before walking.
summary
This time, I toured on a Harley Sports Glide from central Tokyo to Umikaze Park in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Umikaze Park is an all-purpose park where you can enjoy a variety of things, including spectacular views, sports, and history. Next time we will bring you a bike trip.
