Funaoka Castle Ruins Park

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Funaoka Castle Ruins Park

A refreshing park with cherry blossoms and other seasonal flowers.

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This large park was built on the "Funaoka Castle" ruins where Shibata Family used to live until the Meiji Revolution. It is famous nation-wide through NHK’s 1970 historical drama “Mominoki wa Nokotta” based on Shugoro Yamamoto’s book. The fir tree, which was used as the title of the drama, is still standing tall in the park.

To get to the Funaoka Castle Ruins on top of Mt. Shiho at 135m above sea level, you can ride a slope car that will climb 305m from the parking lot at the middle of the mountain. "Funaoka Peace Kannon statue", a 24m-tall symbol of Shibata Town, is standing there at the top, where you can look over Shibata Town, Zao mountains, and far to the Pacific Ocean.

The park is known for the cherry blossoms and is the only place in Miyagi which is chosen into Japan’s 100 Great Spots for Cherry Blossoms. In spring, 1,000 cherry trees cover the mountains. With the cherry promenade along Shiroishi River at the foot of the castle, it is a phenomenal scene. From the early to late April, "Shibata Sakura Festival" is held, attracting more than 270,000 flower-lovers from in and out of the prefecture. Hydrangea from June through July, red spider lilies from September through October, plum and daffodils peak in March. You get to adore brilliant flowers in season throughout the year.

Highlights

  • The mountain top affords a panoramic view over Shibata Town, Zao mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
  • Famous for the cherry blossoms and the only place in Miyagi which is chosen into "Japan’s 100 Great Spots for Cherry Blossoms".
  • Besides cherry blossoms, other seasonal flowers color the park for a new discovery all year round.

Photos

  • The mountain top offers a view over Shibata Town

    The mountain top offers a view over Shibata Town

  • "Funaoka Peace Kannon statue", the symbol of Shibata Town at the mountain top

    "Funaoka Peace Kannon statue", the symbol of Shibata Town at the mountain top

  • Get to the mountaintop via a cable car

    Get to the mountaintop via a cable car

  • The park is renowned for exquisite red spider lilies

    The park is renowned for exquisite red spider lilies

  • The only place in Miyagi, chosen into "Japan’s 100 Great Spots for Cherry Blossoms"

    The only place in Miyagi, chosen into "Japan’s 100 Great Spots for Cherry Blossoms"

  • In early summer, hydrangeas paint the park in an array of colors

    In early summer, hydrangeas paint the park in an array of colors

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)

A

We have some, mainly in English. A few of them are in simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, etc.

Q

Are there parking lots in the area?

A

Yes. (The Castle Ruins Park is on the mountain, and the parking at the foot of the mountain serves 300 cars and 60cars at the midway of the mountain)
*It is usually free, but a fee is charged during the "Cherry Festival".

Q

Are coin lockers available in the area?

A

No, there are no coin lockers.

Q

Are there restrooms in the area?

A

There are restrooms in the park.

Reviews

2

If the original text is in another language, the AI will automatically translate and display it.

  • At Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, you can capture beautiful shots of cherry blossoms and trains together. It's a popular spot for influencers and anyone chasing the beauty of cherry blossoms.

  • Funaoka Castle Ruins Park draws tons of people every cherry blossom season! There are thousands of cherry trees, and the view from the riverside up to the hilltop is just stunning—absolutely breathtaking.

Details

Name in Japanese
船岡城址公園
Postal Code
989-1606
Address
Aza Tateyama, Funaoka, Shibatamachi, Shibatagun, Miyagi
Telephone
0224-55-2123(Shibata Town Hall Commerce & Industry Tourism Division)
Closed
Free to walk
Hours
Walk anytime
Admission
Free
Directions
From JR Funaoka Station, walk 15 min.
Official Website
Official Website (English)