Utagaki Park in Shiroishi town is one of Japan's three major utagaki spots together with Mt. Tsukuba of Hitachi province (modern day Ibaraki) and Mt. Utagaki of Settsu province (modern day Hyogo and Osaka). Utagaki is a custom which has existed since ancient times, involving men and women ascending a mountain where a god dwells in spring and autumn, singing, dancing and seeking love. It is written about in the ancient Japanese book of poetry, Manyoshu. The view from Utagaki Park is fantastic and includes panoramic views of the rice-rich Shiroishi plains and Ariake Sea. Also featuring a Manyo Botanical Garden (garden where the plants featured in Manyoshu can be viewed), this park is filled with an air of ancient romance and eternal history.
● Access:
From train station: 10-minute taxi ride from Hizen-Shiroishi Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line
Car: 20-minute drive from Nagasaki Expressway Takeo-Kitagata IC
● Parking Lot: Accommodates 100 cars (free of charge)
● Contact: Division of Industry, Shiroishi Town Office, Tel: +81-952-84-2111
