Sunday, December 28, 2008

Morikawa park

Location: Ginowan, at the southwestern corner of Futenma. Turn left at the first light after Mashiki north intersection, and then make another left at the next decent sized street. The parking lot for the park will be visible from the road. This site has a photo of the entry gate and attractions: http://withoutasound.web.fc2.com/ginowan/morikawa_park/index.html There is no entry fee.
This is a pleasant multi-level park with some nice historical attractions. The natural spring is beautifully maintained/restored, which allows you to visualize it as an important community asset and sacred place. The whole spring is overgrown with ferns and mosses, and there are little fish swimming in the water. Next to the spring is a grassy field with pine trees and a lovely old stone gate. Then you cross back over the spring and head up the stairs to the viewing platform and another grassy field which abuts Futenma. There is a nice view over Chatan and Ginowan and the sea. Returning down the hill, you pass a large stone slide for adventurous children and then an overgrown and locked clay tennis court.