in Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Maizuru Park is located near the center of Fukuoka City. It is built around the Fukuoka castle ruins and is a popular spot during the spring as people come to enjoy the cherry blossoms at Maizuru Park. You can see a beautiful view of the castle ruins with the cherry blossom trees in the foreground. Fukuoka castle was built in the 17th century by the lord of Fukuoka, Kuroda Nagamasu. It used to be the largest castle in Kyushu during the Edo period, but it was eventually torn down after the Meiji restoration. There are a few gates and guard towers that still remain today along with its northern moat.
My Experience
We visited the cherry blossoms at Maizuru Park last weekend. We entered the park by cutting through Ohori Park, which is famous for the Ohori Pond. There were many food vendors and people enjoying hanami or cherry blossom viewing in the Maizuru Park Sannnomaru Plaza. It was so crowded though! I was surprised at how large the park was too. This seemed like a very popular place for picnicking as there were many families and groups of friends gathered in the lawn areas!
Further inside the park are the castle ruins. There are also many cherry blossoms trees and places to picnic immediately outside the castle ruins. I thought this area was so beautiful since they had areas sectioned off for picnicking but also areas just sectioned off just for the cherry blossom trees as well. Apparently the cherry blossoms and the castle ruins light up at night! During the day, the castle ruins looked to be covered in steel poles though, so there wasn't much we could see. Walking around the castle area was very scenic although still a bit crowded. We spend maybe about an hour here before going to see the moat.
The moat is located at the north of the park. You can also see a beautiful view of a remaining turret and the castle walls. It was particularly scenic with the cherry blossoms blowing in the wind! There were many photographers near the moat, so it must be a popular spot for pictures. Overall Maizuru Park was one of the livelier places we've been to for hanami this year! The main area had very similar vibes to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo!
Address
2-２ Jonai, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0043
Access
Ohori Park Station - 2 minute walk
Akasaka Station - 5 minute walk
Tojinmachi Station - 15 minute walk
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