As the Kawazu cherry blossoms, which can be enjoyed a little earlier in spring, finish blooming, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees gradually begin to bloom next.
In the spring of 2020, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees began to bloom around March 22 and reached full bloom around April 5.
About one year and nine months after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, the restoration work on the embankment of the Oda River is progressing, and shops in Mabi have reopened, gradually regaining their vitality.
In the spring of 2020, while listening to the calls of the bush warblers, I took a spring stroll through the historically rich Mabi.
Would you like to take a look at the charm of Mabi in the spring of 2020?
Maki Cherry Blossom Park along the Ibara Line, a must-visit during cherry blossom season
Maki Cherry Blossom Park, developed along the Oda River in the Kuresu area of Mabi, opened in 2004.
It is a nature-filled park with about 7,000 trees, including approximately 260 cherry trees of various kinds.
On the west side, there is Bitchu Kuresu Station, where you can view the trains of the Ibara Railway from the park.
Near Bitchu Kuresu Station, there is a dedicated parking lot for Maki Cherry Blossom Park with about 18 spaces.
Let's park the car in the parking lot and take a walk while enjoying the cherry blossom avenue.
As the sun rises higher, it gradually becomes warmer.
A scene unfolds where the Oda River is dyed in yellow and green.
Local people cycling or walking their dogs all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Along the Ibara Line of the Ibara Railway, rapeseed flowers are blooming, and the Somei Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom, looking magnificent!
At Maki Cherry Blossom Park, you can enjoy various types of cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry trees.
This photo was taken in front of the double cherry blossoms.
While regular cherry blossoms have five petals, double cherry blossoms have many overlapping petals and produce leaves on the branches simultaneously, creating a gentle atmosphere with green and pink, making them very charming.
Walking while admiring the cherry blossoms, the distance of about one kilometer passed in no time. I was able to spend a leisurely time.
Mabi is a peaceful place, but on the west side of Bitchu Kuresu Station, restoration work from the heavy rain disaster in July 2018 is still ongoing in the spring of 2020.
I hope you will take a look at the restoration work when you visit Mabi.
The charm of the harmony between the Chinese-style garden and cherry blossoms. The historically rich Maki Park in spring
Next, let's drive about five minutes east from Maki Cherry Blossom Park to Maki Park.
Under a clear blue sky without a single cloud, the pale pink cherry blossoms color Maki Park.
The cherry blossoms and pine trees, along with the Kibiji gate, have a charming atmosphere.
In the spring of 2020, due to the impact of the new coronavirus, hanami parties were prohibited, but a few people were strolling in the park for cherry blossom viewing and photography.
Visitors exclaimed, "I didn't know such a beautiful place existed," as they were captivated by the cherry blossoms.
Occasionally, a breeze blows, and cherry blossom petals flutter down.
The beauty of the Chinese-style garden filled with exotic charm and the cherry blossom petals dancing in the wind is indescribable.
The Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms gradually change in the center after blooming.
At the beginning of blooming, the center is somewhat green, and as they begin to fall, it turns red.
The cherry blossoms in this photo seem to be just starting to bloom.
On April 5, 2020, when I conducted the interview, freshly dug bamboo shoots were being sold at the bamboo shoot tea house.
The bamboo shoots from Mabi are characterized by their low astringency, sweet aroma, and tenderness.
The harvest period and quantity vary each year, but they are generally sold from early April to early May.
At the bamboo shoot tea house, fresh vegetables and sweets from Mabi Town are sold in addition to bamboo shoots.
The bakery in Mabi, "Pan Porte", was selling the Mabi Reine Set (6 pieces).
The dough uses bamboo shoots from Mabi, shaped like cute bamboo shoots in madeleines.
Pan Porte is about a 10-minute walk from Makibi Park, so how about stopping by to buy some bread on your way back?
Mabi Town's New Community Space "Ohisama Hiroba"
"Ohisama Hiroba" is a space operated jointly by five organizations, including local NPOs that continue support activities, aiming to create a base where a wide range of generations, including parents and children and the elderly, can gather and help each other.
The location is on the west side of Mabi Memorial Hospital, behind "Sanuki Udon Kawahara."
The community center has a kitchen and is equipped with a jungle gym and slide, making it a new playground for children.
Members of one of the operating organizations, "Disaster Support Group Gorilla (Gorilla)", were energetically running around the square with the children of Mabi Town.
Many Reopened Restaurants in Mabi Town's Arai District
As noon approached and I started to get hungry, I headed to a restaurant.
"Sanuki Udon Kawahara," which reopened in October after being affected by the heavy rain in July 2018, is a udon shop with thick, chewy noodles that are very satisfying.
On the same premises, there is also "Nyudougumo," a okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant!
The crispy outside and fluffy inside of the batter, along with the sweetness of the Tatesauce from Teshimaya in Tamashima, make their okonomiyaki very appealing.
Café Felice with Tempting Teppan Napolitan
Across the national road from the premises of "Sanuki Udon Kawahara" and "Okonomiyaki Nyudougumo," there are also restaurants.
Both "Izakaya Taro no Mise" and "Café Felice" are restaurants that have reopened after overcoming the disaster.
Café Felice relocated and reopened in December 2018.
The cute exterior with a striking red door catches the eye.
In front of Café Felice, there is a food sample of their famous teppan special spaghetti!
Model Otake Aika seems to be very interested in the long spaghetti noodle sample...
On the day of the interview, we decided to take a lunch break at Café Felice.
The shop is filled with hot steam and the enticing aroma of food.
I ordered the café's specialty, teppan special spaghetti.
The slightly charred onions and sausages on the hot plate, along with the savory aroma of tomato ketchup, are topped with a runny yellow egg.
I mixed it with a fork, enjoying the sizzling sound of the noodles and ingredients cooking on the hot plate.
The thick, chewy noodles have a good balance with the crispy burnt edges, and the portion is satisfying enough for growing young people.
Now that my stomach is full, let's explore again!
Mystery Novelist Seishi Yokomizo's Evacuation Site, Okada District in Mabi Town. The Birthplace of Detective Kindaichi Kosuke
After the lunch break in the Arai District, I drove about 5 minutes northeast to arrive at the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum.
The Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum displays ancient documents from the Edo period in the Mabi area, during the Okada Domain's rule, as well as belongings of the mystery novelist Seishi Yokomizo, who is associated with Mabi Town.
You can see materials related to the local history, such as the lives and industrial innovations of villagers during the Edo period, and efforts to prevent disasters.
The surrounding area is a walking course called "Jun - Kindaichi Kosuke's Path," where you can follow the footsteps of Seishi Yokomizo.
Behind the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum is Okada Oike.
It is said that Seishi Yokomizo walked around this pond, muttering to himself, near the evacuation house of Seishi Yokomizo.
On the eastern side of Okada Oike, there is a shrine dedicated to "Benzaiten."
The mysterious atmosphere and somewhat mystical ambiance of Okada Oike linger in the air.
As Seishi Yokomizo walked around Okada Oike, he may have been contemplating the tricks for his novels.
Take a break at CAFE BRIDGE, a new bridge of connection
Returning to the Arai area, we headed to "CAFE BRIDGE", located next to Okonomiyaki Nido Kumon.
CAFE BRIDGE is a newly opened café in Mabi-cho in November 2019.
The name of the café was inspired by the desire to "be a bridge connecting people through delicious meals and coffee."
The menu is rich with options like the German pancake "Dutch Baby" and photogenic soda-based soft drinks.
The hand-drip coffee, brewed according to your preference, is highly recommended.
Finally, I asked model Ootake Aika and photographer Sasaki Toshiyuki for their impressions after a spring stroll in Mabi.
Ootake Aika (model)
There are many historical buildings and foods, and everything about the scenery, townscape, and places to visit was refreshing!
Sasaki Toshiyuki (photographer)
It felt like a peaceful atmosphere loved by the local people, and it made me feel somewhat nostalgic. I would like to come back next year with my camera for a stroll.
Conclusion
I believe many people were unable to go out to see the cherry blossoms in the spring of 2020.
I wrote this hoping to deliver the relaxed spring scenery of Mabi-cho to those who couldn't, so that they could feel a little more at ease.
Through the photos of the warm spring light and gentle cherry blossom scenery, did you enjoy the stroll together?
I hope that in the spring of 2021, everyone can enjoy the cherry blossoms comfortably and at ease.
And I would be happy if this article helps you learn about the current recovery situation in Mabi-cho.
Photography: Sasaki Toshiyuki (Instagram)
Model: Ootake Aika (Twitter)