in Ibaraki prefecture

It’s about a 90 minute train ride from Tokyo

to Hitachi Seaside Park

And I’m here for a reason

and that reason is just over there.

Many consider this one of those places

that you just have to see and experience

before you die.

Hitachi Kaihin Koen - or Seaside Park

is most famous in the spring.

about 2 weeks after the cherry blossoms

from mid April to early May

when the Nemophilia or Baby Blue Eyes

bloom on Miharashi Hill

creating a scene where the ground meets the sky

in blue.

There are over 4 million Nemophilia on this hill.

And this tree?

The tree was here first

before the Nemophilia so

it is a permanent resident of this stunningly blue landscape.

Let’s take a couple of minutes and

just enjoy the beautiful scenery together.

I asked Hattori-san who works at the park

to tell me more about it’s history and background.

This place used to be a military space.

The Japanese military.

After the war, it became

the training ground for the US military

And then it was returned to Japan

, it became a national park.

Now it is a beautiful park

full of happiness for the visitors.

This is the site of the United States Air Force’s

Mito’s ATG (Air-to-Ground) bombing range.

When the land was handed back to Japan in 1973,

It was cleared out of dangerous debris

and made into a national park for the purpose of peace.

It was opened in 1991.

You can see more of its history in the park gallery.

You can see more of its history in the park gallery.

About 15 years ago,

we decided to grow some flowers

The park manager at the time wondered

what to grow on the hill.

and thought about what flower

would attract people to come.

When he was walking one day,

he saw a blue flower growing on the roadside.

He was alone.

When he spotted it, he said --

Isn’t this Nemophilia?

If we were to grow it on this hill,

won’t it be all blue connecting with the sky?

So we decided to grow it after so many tries,

which has led to this great landscape

and now so many people come,

even visitors from abroad.

It’s best to come on a sunny day like today.

Flowers are a living thing.

so when it rains, it will close.

On cloudy days,

it may not look so well when you take picture

so a day like today

with the flowers open is perfect.

It’s a large park and you need to have a map to get around.

Or follow the signs.

There are 7 different areas

each with its own theme in the park.

To cover it all, rent a bicycle!

There are paths for riding, perfect for one — or two!

This is the glass house cafe

There are several food and drink places here.

Kids will love the amusement part of this park.

Adults, too.

So whether it’s a date, a family outing,

or a group gathering with friends

there is something for everyone.

It’s just a short trip from Tokyo

And the best part of it all is that

it’s only 410 yen for entry! 80 yen for kids!

While I was here, I also discovered the parks Tulip World

where the are over 280,000 of them, 220 different varieties.

A few weeks before the tulips, over 1M daffodils bloom here.

And if you come in October,

you’ll be amazed at another fantasy-like scene

with red puffy Kochia scrubs.

Hitachi Kaihin Koen is one of the most

amazing national parks I’ve ever visited in Japan

combining amusement with nature.

Knowing what this area used to be

more than a half century ago

makes this place so much more meaningful.

If you’ve got a free afternoon

especially in late April

this national park in Hitachi

will absolutely leave you smiling.

Next time: Tokyo Street Food: Shibamata

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