Toyota Gojōin Project ②

Hello everyone!

This is Angie. I’m from France, and I currently
work at Toyota City Hall. Today, I’d like to show you the Ichiba Castle ruins
in Obara District as part of the Toyota Gojōin Project, as well as some
recommended spots in its surroundings.

As mentioned above, today’s destination is
the ruins of Ichiba Castle, in Toyota’s Obara District. It’s a mountain castle,
so the ascent might be a bit challenging, but as you do so, the anticipation of
the view from the top keeps growing with every step. As you climb, you’ll
encounter Shikizakura cherry trees and maple trees overlooking a moss-covered
stone wall.

As you reach the summit, you will arrive at
the location of the Ichiba Castle Ruins’ stone monument, from which you can
admire the spectacular view from the top. It’s the perfect spot to take your
time and enjoy a leisurely picnic, away from the crowds.

Shikizakura cherry trees are characteristic
of fall in Obara. Unlike your usual cherry trees, Shikizakura trees blossom
twice: in the spring and in the fall. In the fall, you can enjoy the rare view
of autumn colors and cherry blossoms together. Senmi Shikizakura no Sato,
accessible by shuttle bus from Obara Fureai Park, boasts the highest number of
these special trees in Obara District, so it truly is a must-see spot. From
there, I walked along the Kakigairi Stroll Path. It was a moving experience to
stroll along the stream, surrounded by the sounds of water and the view of the
Shikizakura trees blending with the maple leaves.

Fans of the anime “Shikizakura” can also download
the Locatone AR app and listen to their favorite characters while exploring the
Obara District.

After returning to the Obara Fureai Park, I
ate a delicious tamago-yaki stick and enjoyed the views of the Shikizakura
trees, a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

For lunch, I highly recommend Obara-An. The
“Ni-zen Lunch” that I ate was a traditional Japanese meal composed of fresh and
seasonal ingredients such as Japanese yams, persimmons, and mushrooms. The room
was in the Japanese style as well, coupled with food served in beautiful ceramic
dishes crafted by the restaurant. It’s a lovely place, in which both the
cuisine and the restaurant’s atmosphere makes you feel the wonders of nature.

Lastly, I’d like to introduce you to the
Obara Paper Art Museum, Washi no Furusato.

You can try your hand at papermaking in
this workshop, which passes on the charm of Obara’s traditional Japanese paper
art. You can choose between picture, character, or leaf papermaking, as well as
a paper-fan, a picture paper-fan, or a wall decoration. Personally, I opted for
the leaf papermaking, and it was a fun experience. I’ve bought tea boxes made
out of Japanese paper in France before, but I felt very proud to make Japanese
paper on my own. And don’t forget to grab Ichiba Castle’s go­jōin at the museum!

Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossoms of Obara Fureai Parkhttps://www.tourismtoyota.jp/en/spots/detail/644/

Senmi Shikizakura no Sato Four-Season Cherry Blossoms

https://www.tourismtoyota.jp/spots/detail/716/　(in Japanese)  
Voice AR App "Locatone"https://www.tourismtoyota.jp/features/detail/177　(in Japanese)  

Obara-Anhttps://www.tourismtoyota.jp/en/foods/detail/3/
Obara Paper Art Museum (Washi no Furusato)https://www.tourismtoyota.jp/en/foods/detail/62/

Toyota Gojōin Project