Provided by Hyotan Group, Hitachi City
Cherry Trees in Hitachi City April, 2014
Hitachi city is well known for having many good places to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms in the central area of the city. Cherry trees are chosen as the flower of Hitachi city. And the main kinds of them are “Oshimazakura”､ ”Someiyoshino“､"Yaezakura”and .”Hitachi Beni Kanzakura”。 Here we would like to introduce how these trees were planted and where you can enjoy lots of beautiful cherry blossoms. “Oshimazakura” (Oshima cherry tree) Hitachi city’s westward along the Abukuma mountains had been noted for a copper mine. In 1924 when Mr. Fusanosuke Kuhara began to run a business, the production was increased rapidly and grew to the 3rd position throughout Japan. But large quantity of refining caused a big pollution by the discharge of sulfur dioxide and the plants and crops around the refinery got heavy damage, which became a big issue. As antipollution measure, a high chimney was built for trying diffusion of the gas into the atmosphere over a wide area and at the same time Oshimazakura which is resistant to pollution was planted to keep the circumstance of mountains green. 　Now, Oshimazakura give us an aspect of beautiful scenery like a haze around the mountain range on the west side of central Hitachi.
Oshimazakura in the mountain	Oshimazakura
“Someiyoshino”(Yoshino cherry tree) 　Around 1917, many Someiyoshinos (approx..2.000) were planted around the mining company’s housing and its surrounded area at the foot of mountains where the mining facilities were located . This made people enjoy the beauty of blossoms.　　 　Furthermore, “Sakurazuka” (Cherry blossom mound) was built in order to pass this work for future generations.. Hitachi city had a serious damage by the air raid and the bombardment during the World War II. For restoration after the war, they planned to decorate the central part of the city with cherry blossoms and many “Someiyoshino” were planted. Now you can enjoy grown-up trees in Heiwa Street and Kamine Park. 　Hitachi city carries out “Hitachi Cherry Blossom Festival” every year and the city Is bustling with spectators including people from out of town. The main events during the festival are “Lighting-up on Heiwa Street”, “Sakura Road Racing” and the performance of floats “Hitachi Furyumono”
Sakurazuka	Hitachi Furyumono
Heiwa Dori	Heiwa Dori
Kamine Park	Kamine Amusement Park
“Yaezakura (a double flowering cherry tree) In Hitachi city, there are two places you can enjoy lots of “Yaezakura” The 1st place is the parking lot at the top of Kamine Park and the surrounding of “Yoshida Memorial Hall” where you can enjoy many kinds of grown-up Yaezakura. The 2nd place is the street lined with cherry trees so-called “Daigakudori” starting from JR Hitachitaga station to the north. You can enjoy the view from out of windows of buses or walking along the street.
Yoshida Memorial Hall	Daigaku Dori
“Hitachi Beni Kanzakura 　The early cherry tree at the corner of JR Ogitsu station was designated as the original kind of early trees and it was registered in 2006. Since then planting this new kind cherry has reached to 150. The cherry trees will bloom from the last ten days of January and keep us enjoy till the beginning of March. Though they are still young trees, you can enjoy them in various places.
Hitachi Beni Kanzakura	Hitachi Beni Kanzakura
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