MiyagiTravel

A Hilltop Overlooking Ishinomaki and the Pacific Ocean; Famous for Cherry Blossoms and Azaleas

About this spot

A park that spreads across Hiyoriyama Hill (elevation approximately 60 meters) south of Ishinomaki's city center, offering panoramic views of the mouth of the former Kitakami River, the Pacific Ocean, and the city—Ishinomaki's premier viewing spot. The site is said to have once hosted Ishinomaki Castle, built by Kasai, the chief commissioner of Oshu during the Edo period, and at the summit stands Kashima Mago Shrine (鹿島御児神社), the chief shrine of Oshu. In the Edo period, the poet Matsuo Basho visited Ishinomaki during his "Oku no Hosomichi" (Narrow Road to the Deep North) journey; the grounds feature his stone monument and other literary monuments. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom; in early summer, azaleas flower—both make this a favorite among local residents. Below, the streetscapes of Minami-hama and Kadowaki, which have been rebuilt since the disaster, stretch out. The panoramic view from this hilltop gives you a physical sense of the harbor town's geography and scale, quite different from Manga Road. Viewing the Memorial Park below from above will deepen your understanding during your walk.

Tips

About 5 minutes by car from Ishinomaki Genki Ichiba; about 20 minutes on foot with an uphill walk. Free parking and restrooms are available in the park. It's windy on the hilltop, so having a light layer is comfortable. For photographs from the observation deck, late afternoon when the air is clear offers the best views.