Fureai no Mori Park
The 49-hectare grounds of Fureai no Mori Park include forested walking paths and a lookout point with views of the Genkai Sea to the west of Kyushu. The east side of the park features an observatory known as Nozomi no Oka, which means “hill of hope.” From the observatory, visitors can view Okinoshima, a sacred island that has been worshipped since ancient times.
Nesting boxes placed in the park’s forest attract a variety of bird life. Common birds in the forest include bush warblers, Oriental greenfinches, black-backed wagtails, and white-eye tits. Night herons can sometimes be spotted around dusk near the park’s two ponds.
Around Oura Pond, the leaves of the gingko trees turn create a carpet of golden leaves in fall. During winter, fuyu ichigo (Rubus buergeri) vines produce red, raspberry-like fruit in the forest undergrowth. Camellias flower around Aihara Pond in winter, and spring brings blossoms to the Yoshino cherry trees, which are planted around the ponds and the sports grounds.
Other features in Fureai no Mori Park include a children’s playground, a skate park, and two sheltered pavilions.