Hosshin Park, Kurume

Hosshin Park sits at the northern foot of the Mino Mountains in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, surrounded by natural beauty and traditional houses from the historic Kusano district. This scenic location has served as a favored cherry blossom viewing destination for feudal lords throughout history, establishing its cultural significance as a place where nature and Japanese tradition intersect.

The park's literary connections add depth to its cultural heritage. Renowned Meiji era writer Natsume Soseki visited Hosshin Park several times during his stays in Kurume, finding inspiration in the scenic beauty to compose poetry about the cherry blossoms and pine trees. A stone tablet inscribed with a haiku poem by the famous Edo period poet Basho Matsuo further emphasizes the park's place in Japanese literary history.

Each spring, the park comes alive with 170 cherry trees in bloom, comprising 140 Yoshino cherry trees and 28 other varieties, mainly Yamazakura cherry trees. The blooming season typically runs from late March to early April. Beyond the famous cherry blossoms, visitors can experience seasonal beauty year-round, with cooling river valley activities in summer at the Hosshin river valley and spectacular autumn foliage as maple leaves paint the valley red.

The park features several points of historical and cultural interest. The Hosshin Sansha Daigongen Shrine provides a spiritual element to visits, while a bronze bust commemorates Mataroku Kusano, who led the construction of the Tokushima Dam on the Chikugo River during the Edo period. The area also connects to Mount Hosshin hiking trails, where visitors can explore mountain castle ruins at the summit and stone Buddha statues along the path, with panoramic views of the Chikushi Plain from near the peak.

Hosshin Park is accessible through Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture, making it reachable via regional train connections to Kurume Station and local transportation to the park grounds. The park offers free admission, making it an affordable destination for families and nature enthusiasts seeking to experience traditional Japanese seasonal beauty and cultural heritage.