Hirakiyama Park

Hakatajima, between two bridges of the Shimanami Kaido, is known across Japan for Hakata salt. Ride across it, though, and you will find the island is hillier and more varied than you might expect. Hirakiyama Park sits near the summit of its highest peak, Mt. Hiraki (176.4 m).

In cherry blossom season, people come from on and off the island to see the flowers, and it becomes the busiest place on Hakatajima. The rest of the year it is a viewpoint over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and a good detour on a Shimanami Kaido ride.

The main attraction is the roughly 3,000 Somei-yoshino cherry trees that bloom in spring. Seen from the observation deck at the top, the trees covering the slopes turn the hillside pink.

What makes this park different is the combination of blossoms and sea. Below you are the villages and harbor of Hakatajima, and around you are the Kurushima Strait, Oshima, Omishima and other islands, seen through the cherry trees in full bloom.

Cherry trees on Hakatajima usually bloom from late March to early April, roughly when the Shimanami cycling season begins. Add a blossom stop here to a spring trip and you see another side of the island.

The view from the observation deck is open in every direction. From 176 m up, on a clear day you can see toward Imabari, the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge and the mountains of western Japan.

Hakatajima, Oshima and Omishima sit close together, so from here you can see how densely the Shimanami islands are packed. Looking down from above helps you understand the terrain around the Kurushima Strait, where the bridges are short and close together.

The park is near the center of Hakatajima, a little off the main route (the blue line). A paved road goes up to the summit, so you can ride up by bike, but expect a climb.

Many cyclists cross Hakatajima quickly because the ride between its two bridges is simple. Adding Hirakiyama Park gives you more to do on the island.

In cherry blossom season the road is crowded with cars, so coming by bike can actually be easier. See the Shimanami Kaido cycling guide for the full route.

Hakata salt is a well-known Japanese salt brand with a factory on Hakatajima in Imabari City. Shops on the island sell soft-serve ice cream, salt caramels and other products made with it. A visit to Hirakiyama Park plus Hakatajima's food is a standard local outing. See Hakata Salt for more.

Salt soft-serve balances sweetness and saltiness and is a popular snack after riding.

Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) is very popular, and on weekends both the parking lot and the road to the summit are crowded. Check bloom forecasts online or with local tourist information before you go.

Outside the blossom season there are few people and you can enjoy the view quietly. In summer the green hills contrast with the blue sea; in autumn you can see the leaves change color along with the islands.