If you like visiting museums and historical sites, Ōnaka-iseki Park (大中遺跡) is the perfect spot to appreciate the plum blossoms and the historical site from approximately 1900 years ago! The 20 plum blossoms at Ōnaka-iseki Park and the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology usually bloom between mid to late February. The locals often have picnics in the plum grove when the flowers are in full bloom!
Tips:
☛ The plum blossoms at Ōnaka-iseki Park bloom earlier than those at Mitoro Fruits Park.
☛ Another plum blossom spot not far away is the Mikuriya Shrine.
☛ Refer to HERE and translate it using your browser’s translation function for the park’s most updated flowering conditions.
About Ōnaka-iseki Park
The Ōnaka Remains were discovered by three local junior high school students in 1962. Five years later, the site was designated as a National Historic Site. In 1972, the 70,000-square-meter site was renovated into a historical site and is now where locals relax.
Only 20% of the entire site has been explored to date, and 73 pit houses have been discovered. Judging from the number of dwellings found, at least 250 houses were built in the area. Artifacts excavated from the Onaka Ruins are displayed at the Harima Town Local Museum. Among the items that were excavated, there were even mirrors from China!
The restored pit houses are most likely the main thing that would catch your attention. Watch your head when entering the pit house as the entrance is low! Moreover, remember to check out the plants in the park. Many of them grew during the Yayoi period.
The Scenic Deai no Michi Road (であいのみち)
Ōnaka-iseki Park is a part of Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archaeology. The road that separated the remains from the Yayoi period from the museum is called Deai no Michi (であいのみち). The promenade leading to Harima Town Local Museum (播磨町郷土資料館) is a scenic part of the site, with seasonal flowers blooming most of the year.
In addition, explanatory boards (in Japanese) recording historical events are placed every 25 meters on the curb. Thus, walking through the Deai no Michi is like embarking on a 2000-year time journey.
Ōnaka-iseki Park’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Ōnaka-iseki Park is open daily except Mondays from:
- 9 am to 6 pm from April to September
- 9 am to 5 pm from October to March
- If Monday is a public holiday, the park will close the next business day.
- The park is closed from 29th December to 1st January.
- It is a 15-minute walk from JR Tsuchihyama Station (土山駅).
- From Sanyo Dentetsu’s Harimachō Station (播磨町駅), it is a 25-minute walk.
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe
Kobe City, next to Harima Town, also has a couple of places where you can see the plum blossoms. As most of them are close to a train station, you can easily stop by one of them as you explore other parts of Kobe. If you like hot springs, the renowned hot spring town in Kobe, Arima Onsen, also has two places where you can appreciate the flower
Refer to our article on the Guide to the Plum Blossom Spots in Kobe and start planning!
Discover the Plum Blossom Spots in Osaka
We are sure Hyōgo Prefecture is one of the many destinations you will visit in the Kansai region. Osaka Prefecture, for example, has many plum groves awaiting you to discover too. If you fly into Osaka, there are a few plum blossom spots close to the Kansai Airport!
Refer to our article on the Plum Blossom Posts in Osaka to plan your trip!
