From Takashi Ryokuchi Park to Mukaiyama Ryokuchi Park

Equestrian Ground

Takashi Ryokuchi Park in Toyohashi is one of the most popular parks in east Mikawa Area. It is easily reachable both by private cars and train and has nice children's playground, and nicely branched pine grove and nice lawn grounds to stretch your legs and relax. This equestrian grounds is one of the remnants that this area used to be the military training grounds for Japanese Imperial Army. Currently the local horseback riding club own this place and children enjoy watching the horses there.

Monument of Etsu Suzuki and Toshiko Tamura

The monument of Etsu Suzuki(1886-1933) and his second wife Toshiko Tamura (1884-1945) The monument was set up in 1985 and the monumental inscription was written by Jakucho Setouchi. Suzuki is one of the noted authors born in Toyohashi best known by Russian-Japanese translation of Tolstoy's "War and Peace".

Pine Grove 1

Toyohashi has often been hit by gusty winds and some pine trees in this park often fell. But most of them survive and show off the coniferous trees' resilience to winds. If you like Bonsai and pine trees in general this park is a good place to visit.

Pine Grove 2

This tree has nearly collapsed when the typhoon struck. It escaped the fate of being cut down and is now nicknamed as Tornado Pine.

Lawn Ground

This lawn area is one of my favorite places in this park. It has relaxing atmosphere and is good place for picnic, too.

Children's Playground

The park has several children's playgrounds with play equipment. And this area seems to be most popular among them.

Railroad Crossing

The trains come at least a few times an hour but be cautious just in case. When you are trapped by the crossing bars get out to either side immediately and do not panic.

Takashi Station

For a brisk walker, my next destination, Mukaiyama Ryokuchi Park might be " a walking distance" but this time I took the train to get there. Take the train bound for Shin-toyohashi Station and get off at YAGYUBASHI STATION.

Yagyubashi Station

Yagyubashi Station is the fourth stop from Takashi Station. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the western edge of the park areas.

Riverside Road

There are a number of ways to get to the park but the easiest to follow is to walk along the river.

Yagyubashi Intersection

To get to the riverside road you must cross the Yagyubashi Intersection. Supermarket Valor serves as a good landmark for the walk.

Go Along the Riverside Road

Go along the riverside road and turn left at the Valor supermarket.

Yagyu River

The reason I recommend this trail is this riverside is a good place to see the cherry blossom trees, too.

Walk Toward the Supermarket Valor

Then turn left at the Valor Supermarket from here.

Supermarket Valor, Toyohashi

Valor is one of the major supermarket chains near Nagoya area. It is based in Gifu and has 236 stores most of which are located in either Gifu or Aichi prefecture. Its Toyohashi store is really convenient shop for the park visitors for some picnic foods.

Intersection

When you go past Valor go eastward ahead walking up mild slope.

Sakura Hiroba Entrance

The westernmost entrance of the park is near the top of the sloped road. Go eastward to find the cenotaph.

Monument 1

The park has two war memorials, the newest of which is located near the entrance.

Monument 2

Another war memorial is also near the newer memorial.

Turn Leftward

Children's Playground

It is a nice playground for children when you view the cherry blossoms in early April.

Viewing Barren Cherry Orchard

It was December and cherry trees there barely have leaves. Such winter view of cherry orchard could be nice for you to have your own space without anyone's interference.

Entering Cemetery Area

Adjacent to cherry orchard area of this park is a huge public cemetery. Go toward plum-blossom garden area before crossing the road to the cemetery.

Fall Leaves

Near the parking space of the cemetery I found the place to view colored leaves finally.

Road to the Cemetery

Between the Sakura-no-Hiroba or Cherry Orchard Area and Traffic Park Area there lies the huge cemetery area which may be intriguing for some. Plum Garden is at the north of the cemetery lined by sasanqua hedges.

Camelia Sasanqua at Plum Garden

Pink flowering hedges lined between the cemetery and plum garden is Camelia sasanqua. Sasanqua are often used as hedge trees.

Persimmon Trees at Plum Garden

It was December and out of season for plum blossoms. The only thing that was impressive there was the persimmon trees bearing sour fruits. Japanese call them Shibugaki and by the oblong shape of the fruit it could be Hachiyagaki late-bearing sour persimmon cultivar. Such sour persimmons are dried before they are fit to eat. Aichi Prefecture is the fourth largest producing area of dried persimmons, boasting 8-percent share. Dry persimmon trees as park ornamental plants may have come from the concept that persimmon is one of the symbols of fall harvest.

The Exit of Plum Garden

Between the plum garden and middle section of Mukaiyama Ryokuchi park where the traffic park for the children is located, lies a wide busy trunk road. For the first time visitor it is not easy to find the entrance of the other side.

Search the safe crossing

So I walked along the road for about 50 meters to find the safe crossing.

Crossing Point

I found a crossing point to get to the other side of the park.

Traffic Park

Kotsujidokan

Entrance of Traffic Park

Kenkonomichi #22 Point

View of the Pond and Hills

Kenkonomichi #2 Point

Guide Board

Kenkonomichi #1 Point

140 meters from the start of Kenkonomichi walking trail.

Bridge

The bridge at the middle of Oike Pond is also a nice place to watch birds. The walking trail leading to Miyuki Park starts from the western edge of the bridge.

The Playground with World Monuments

It is sort of children's playground for sure but it is the strangest of all. The playground area is filled with world monuments such as pyramid of Egypt, a Triumph Gate, Moai statues and the Great Walls of China. What's more intriguing is that it has some replicas of ancient Haniwa clay figures of Kofun period about 1,500 years ago in Japan. Haniwa are terra cotta clay figures often arrayed on the surface of the burial mounds. These Haniwa objects make this playground area really odd because these objects are not quite proportional to the other world monuments. While the other monuments are reduced size of the existing monuments most of the haniwa objects are nearly as the same size as the original clay objects. And the boat-shaped haniwa is mislabeled as "Noah's Ark". It might be one of the replicas of those unearthed from Saitobaru Burial Grounds of Miyazaki Prefecture given to here possibly as the token of friendship. Another haniwa figures from Saitobaru Kofun are at Hibiya Park, Tokyo. Anyhow children at the park seems to be enjoying monument shaped play equipment. Even adults find climbing at the pyramid enjoyable.

Obelisk and the Pyramid

And the replica's exactness to the original has varying degrees. This obelisk was excellently reproduced while the camels and the Moais were poorly made.