When you think of “autumn,” what comes to mind?
Autumn for food, autumn for reading, autumn for sports, autumn for the arts, and so on.
The heat eases, and the weather is neither hot nor cold, making it comfortable to enjoy all kinds of things.
In autumn, the green leaves gradually turn red and yellow as temperatures fluctuate.
Seeing this, many people may feel, “Autumn is here.”
Autumn is deepening at Makibi Park in Mabi, and the leaves are gradually changing from green to vivid red.
The Chinese-style garden and red maple leaves reflected in the pond make a beautiful scene. We recommend taking it easy here while enjoying the season.
At Makibi Park in the autumn of 2019, as the season deepened, we took a leisurely look around this charming park, whose atmosphere changes with the seasons. Here’s what we saw!
The information presented here is as of when this article was published in November 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Makibi Park
In 1986, a monument to Kibi no Makibi and a Japanese garden around it were completed in the Ring Park (Huancheng Park) in Xi'an, China.
To commemorate this, Makibi Park opened in October of the same year in Mabi, a place associated with him.
The Makibi Memorial Hall is a museum where you can learn about the great figure Kibi no Makibi, after whom Mabi is named.
Takenoko Chaya, which serves light meals and drinks and sells Mabi’s local specialties, is also located in the park.
Built to make use of the mountain slope, the park has benches throughout. Though small, it is a charming place.
The park escaped flooding during the heavy rains of July 2018 and is also used as a rest area where people from Mabi and volunteers gather.
Enjoy the changing scenery of each season with a leisurely stroll: cherry blossoms and peonies in spring, autumn leaves in fall, and plum blossoms in winter.
Take a leisurely walk around Makibi Park
On November 9, 2019, we took a stroll through Makibi Park, where the trees were beginning to change color.
The teahouse Chikuyo-an is relaxing and ideal for photos of autumn leaves and people
First, we rented Chikuyo-an, a building west of Makibi Memorial Hall, for a photo shoot.
Chikuyo-an is a charming building surrounded by trees.
The teahouse has Japanese-style rooms measuring eight and four tatami mats.
The view of Makibi Park and its garden from inside is lush and green, and makes you feel at ease.
Looking up from the veranda, we could see the autumn leaves beginning to change color.
Green, red, and yellow leaves sparkle in the sunlight, while the clear sky stretches endlessly overhead.
Taking photos while breathing in the crisp autumn air naturally brings a smile to your face.
Everyone was captivated by this shot of a soft, gentle smile!
Why not rent the teahouse and take photos with family or friends?
You should be able to take pictures in a relaxed atmosphere.
Chikuyo-an is available to rent at the following rates (as of our November 2019 visit).
| Time | Fee (tax included) |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | 220 yen |
| 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | 660 yen |
| 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | 880 yen |
Please make a reservation in advance whenever possible to rent the teahouse.
For details, please contact Makibi Memorial Hall.
Makibi Memorial Hall
Tel: 086-698-7612
What Makibi Park is like
As the sun rose a little higher, we made our way to Makibi Park.
Just inside, on the right, is Kibidera Temple, the family temple of Kibi no Makibi.
South of Kibidera Temple, nearby, is a mausoleum said to be the tomb of Kibi no Makibi.
People in Mabi affectionately call him “Kibi-sama,” and it is said that the temple came to be known as “Kibidera” around the Edo period.
On the grounds of the shrine known as “Kibi-sama,” up the stairs, a magnificent Chinese pistache tree had turned bright red and was at its peak.
The Kibi no Makibi Monument was built to pass on Kibi no Makibi’s achievements and gratitude to China to future generations.
Kibi no Makibi is also said to have invented katakana.
There are many monuments and other things related to Kibi no Makibi in the park, so look for them as you stroll around.
The entrance to Makibi Park is a popular photo spot. Try striking your favorite pose
Just inside the entrance to Makibi Park is a striking photo spot with a circular window!
We took photos while saying things like, “What pose should we do?” and “Isn’t that a bit cliché?”
The circular window on the left frames a view of the Hexagonal Pavilion and bridge.
We took a photo from a similar angle in the same spot in December 2018, about a year earlier, and couldn’t help saying, “That brings back memories.”
A Chinese-style garden spreads out before you, vividly colored with autumn hues.
The Hexagonal Pavilion is an iconic building in Makibi Park. Its Chinese-style design, with red pillars and a green roof, evokes an exotic atmosphere.
There are benches inside the pavilion, so you can sit and enjoy the views in every direction.
Follow the stream through Makibi Park and you’ll come to a mysterious place.
Makibi Park makes use of the natural slope, with three ponds—the upper, middle, and lower ponds—connected by a flowing stream.
As you climb alongside the stream, a mysterious place comes into view.
The blue sky and green trees reflected on the water.
Listen closely, and you can hear the trees rustling in the breeze and the water flowing.
A little southwest of the Hexagonal Pavilion, up a short slope, is a place carpeted in green moss.
Sasaki, who took the photos for this article, says the photo above is their favorite.
“Yuricheru, our model, showed me a view I would have missed if I’d visited on my own, and I was struck by how much there is to discover in Makibi Park. It’s a truly wonderful place,” they told us.
When the autumn leaves are at their peak, you can enjoy a scene layered with green, red, and yellow.
And the sight of a carpet of fallen red maple leaves spreading across the ground is spectacular.
Climb farther up to the upper pond, where large trees stand in rows and you can enjoy an even more peaceful atmosphere.
“I found a little bit of autumn!” Yuricheru smiles as she picks up a bright red fallen leaf.
On the day we visited, many people were strolling around with cameras in hand.
Some children were having fun floating leaves in the stream.
Picking up acorns and fallen leaves, walking the dog, eating lunch, taking photos...
It was striking to see everyone enjoying their own leisurely time.
A couple stroll through Makibi Park, where time passes at an easy pace
The couple who appeared as models in this article are “Yabunao” and “Yuricheru.”
The easygoing atmosphere the two create is a perfect match for Makibi Park’s relaxed feel.
Model Yuricheru is expecting a baby, and strolled through Makibi Park in autumn with her gently rounded belly.
The two of you will welcome a new member to your family in spring 2020.
Please come for a walk at Makibi Park as a family of three next time.
From the Writer
Mabi, Kurashiki City, suffered extensive damage in the July 2018 torrential rains, but now, about a year and four months later, the rice harvest has been safely completed.
And the seasons are about to shift from autumn to winter.
The web media outlet Kurashiki Tocotoco has also reached its first anniversary, and I feel that the number of people who have heard of us is gradually growing.
I hope that learning about what makes Mabi special and visiting the area—and then sharing that “Mabi went through a terrible disaster, but so many people are working hard, and it turned out to be such a wonderful place”—will help support Mabi’s recovery.
I reported and wrote this article hoping it might inspire people to do just that.
I’d be happy if this article conveys the charm of Mabi in autumn.
Models: Yabunao (Twitter), Yuricheru
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Photography: Toshiyuki Sasaki (Instagram)