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| 1.The Birth of Kamine Park and the Cherry Trees Kamine Park was first planned in October 1933 when the Urban Planning Law was applied to Hitachi Town, but due to a combination of financial problems and World War II, its construction was postponed until after the war was over. Even after the war, the original plan was only changed but not carried out due to persisting financial troubles. In 1953 the plan was finally realized when the “ Kamine Park Preparation and Promotion Committee” was formed by volunteers from the Miyata and Namekawa area, the site where the park was scheduled to be built. The committee promoted a contribution campaign entitled “one cherry tree from every family” and volunteer projects such as planting young cherry trees, fertilizing them, and mowing the grass in the planned site. Kamine Park was opened in 1953. Starting in 1957, it has been improved upon on an annual basis through financial support owing to full application of the Urban Parks Law promulgated in 1956. Application of this law first led to the construction of the Kamine Zoo, opened in a corner of the park in June 1957. Around the same time, an amusement park was also opened on the site. Future improvements on Kamine Park, including further planting of young cherry trees and their subsequent growth, has made the park a famous place for cherry trees. Kamine Park, together with Heiwa Dori Street, was selected as one of the "100 Famous Places of Cherry Trees in Japan” in March 1990--37 years after the opening of the park. A monument commemorating this achievement has been set up at the entrance gate of the amusement park. At present, most of the roughly 1000 cherry trees in the park are of the "Somei-yoshino” variety, and five typical ones can be found on a slope near the south parking lot. Those particular cherry trees have been chosen as a standard for the declaration of blooming in Hitachi City. The best time to see them may be from early to mid-April, but tens of “Yae-zakura” (double-flowered cherry trees; introduced in Hyotan #116) that bloom in late April grow in the parking lot at the top of the hill and on its northern slope. These allow you to enjoy cherry-blossom viewing twice in the same month. |
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2. Opening of the Yoshida Tadashi Memorial Museum of Music
 Mr. Tadashi Yoshida--born in Hitachi City--was a great composer of popular songs. He composed upwards of 200 hit songs including “Hitachi Ondo” and “Hitachi Kouta,” tunes quite familiar to Hitachi citizens. During his lifetime he composed approximately 2400 songs until he died in June 1998 at the age of 77. His wife made a donation to build a memorial museum in accord with his last wishes, which is now under construction near the top of Kamine Park and scheduled to open to the public on April 29th. Outline of the Yoshida Tadashi Memorial Museum of Music Scale: A five-story building; total floor space approx. 800 m2 Opening times: Open to the general public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission fee: Free (charged for the use of a portable stereo music device as a premium). Features of each story: 1st Story: An entrance hall, a studio, and a shop.  2nd Story: (His living room in the 1950s): Introduction to his life using television images, historical materials related to his life, display of music scores, and a planned exhibition corner. 3rd Story: (His living room in the 1960s): Exhibition of the piano used for music lessons, his desk, his pupils’ diaries, and a narrative corner entitled "Memories of Tadashi Yoshida." 4th Story: (His living room in the 1970s, 80s): A composition workshop (both children and adults can enjoy hands-on learning in how to compose a song). 5th Story: An Observation Cafe (a lunch room, music tables) Common to each story: From 2nd to 4th story: A wall exhibiting the history of popular songs, a wall decorated with record jackets, and the use of portable stereo music device. From 2nd to 5th story: "Background Music" corner where hit songs of Tadashi Yoshida can be heard. |
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Horizon Kamine
 Going through the front door, one arrives in a spacious comfortable lobby with a several sets of sofas and tables・ There is a reception on the left and a cozy restaurant on the right . During this season, from both the lobby and the restaurant, you can see the “horizon” of the deep-blue Pacific Ocean just beyond the pink flock of cherry blossoms. . In the basement, there are a training room, (one wall is completely mirrored), a Japanese- style resting room, and two bathrooms ( one for men and one for women) with a dry sauna in each. The baths and neighboring swimming pool are heated utilizing energy generated from a nearby garbage incinerator. All the facilities in the basement can be used at very reasonable prices (Adult 320 yen/ Child 110 yen). Aerobics classes are provided in the training room on weekday mornings and evenings ( fee required). On the second floor, there are five meeting rooms. You can reserve a room starting three months in advance. Please contact regarding details; such as room charge, availability, or the set -up of each room. |
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Kamine Civic Pool
 There are four pools in total, two for adults (indoor & outdoor, 25M × 7 lanes), and two for children( indoor and outdoor). During the off-season( September 11- June 30 ), the indoor water temperature is kept at 30℃(86 Ｆ)， so you can enjoy swimming at the facility all year around.. Even if you are unable to swim, it is refreshing and healthful to walk in the water. The indoor adult pool is kindly separated into three lanes: one for walkers, one for beginners, and one for experienced swimmers. Swimming classes are held during two terms each year (April-June, November-March). Additionally, there are two groups that practice aquabics once a week. |
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| The Hitachi City Museum How did Hitachi, originally a small farming village, develop into the industrial city we know today? In the museum, you can see a variety of objects relating to Hitachi city dating from the Old Stone Age right up to the modern times. There are many different displays, such as the Jomon-Doki (rope pattern pottery) excavated from the remains of Suwa village, farming and fishing tools from the Middle Age to Modern period, and clothing worn in and photographs taken during the second World War. These and many other items really bring to life the history and customs of the past. There is an English guide pamphlet available for free at the reception. Besides the Permanent Exhibition Gallery displays, the Museum also operates a program of temporary exhibitions. For example, ‘ Hitachi as seen in the Pictorial Maps of the Edo Period’ exhibition is being held from March 25th until May 9th. |
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| Kamine Zoological Garden The Kamine Zoo houses 110 species of animals and birds including elephants, lions, gorillas, peacock, eagles and snakes. Children can touch and hold a variety of animals like rabbits and guinea pigs at the Hands-on area 〔Fureai hiroba〕. Next to the zoo is a children’s amusement park. Here kids can enjoy riding on a cute blue train. In spring time, you can often hear kindergarten kids having a great time there. |
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. (Top of Hyotan) (home) |
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