Hiyoriyama Park

Located in the center of Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, this park stretches across the 56-meter-high Hiyoriyama area. It is known for the wonderful view from its elevated position and attracts many tourists. The spectacular view in front of you stretches from the mouth of the old Kitakamigawa River flowing below to the magnificent Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day, you can see the Oshika Peninsula and even the landscape of Matsushima in the distance. Turning your eyes in the opposite direction, you can see the entire city of Ishinomaki spread out along the old Kitakami River.

It is said that the castle of the Kasai clan, the general magistrate of Oshu, was located here in the Middle Ages. It is famous for having been visited and composed poems by many writers, including Matsuo Basho, the haiku poet who wrote "Oku no Hosomichi," as well as Miyazawa Kenji, Saito Mokichi, and Ishikawa Takuboku. The park is dotted with monuments to haiku poets and writers, and a statue of Matsuo Basho and his student Sora stands on the mountain.

On the mountain is the "Kashimamiko Shrine", one of the ten Oshika shrines dedicated to the god of war. The shrine is also known for its cherry blossoms and azaleas, which are illuminated when the cherry blossoms are at their best, delighting the eyes of many cherry blossom viewers.