Sensyu Park

Senshu Chishu Park is an urban park (general park) developed on the site of Honmaru and Ninomaru of Kubota Castle, which was the residence of the Satake Clan.

The park covers a total area of 16.29 hectares, with lush greenery and the Osumi Tower of Kubota Castle and the Honmaru Front Gate, etc., which convey the atmosphere of the feudal domain era.

Kubota Castle was built in 1602 by Yoshinobu Satake, the first lord of the Akita Domain, and became the center of the Akita Domain for 12 generations of 267 years.

The park is also home to the Akita Art Theater Milhous, Akita Central Library Meitokukan, Akita City Culture Creation Center, Akita City Satake Archives, and Hirano Masayoshi Museum of Art.

In addition, shrines such as Yojiro Inari Shrine, Hachiman Akita Shrine, and Yataka Shrine are located in the park.

Approximately 650 cherry trees, mostly Someiyoshino cherry trees, are planted in the park, which has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots and is popular among tourists.

The park is also a popular spot for azaleas, and other flowers such as satsuki (Japanese azalea) and button trees also bloom beautifully in the park. The Oga lotus at Hugetsu Pond is also a highlight of the area.

In addition, it has been selected as one of the 100 best historical parks in Japan. The park has also been selected as one of the 100 best castles in Japan, one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots, one of the 100 best city parks in Japan, one of the 100 best Ikenobo Hanashoyo, and various other 100 best parks in Japan.

The park was designed by Yasuhei Nagaoka, a pioneer of modern park design, and named by Yoshitomo Kano, a Chinese scholar from Akita City. The park was first called “Chishu-en. It is said that the name of the park was derived from the Akita word for “autumn,” meaning longevity, and a prayer for long prosperity.

The park has become an important place for people to learn about Japan’s history and natural attractions.