Tsutsujigaoka Park

Tsutsujigaoka Park is a public garden in Tatebayashi featuring approximately 10,000 azalea plants across 50 different varieties spread throughout the landscaped grounds. The arrangement of planted areas and pathways creates a structured space where visitors can move through different sections showcasing the plant diversity.

The park was originally created as a garden for the daimyo of Tatebayashi Domain during the early Edo period. It gained national recognition as a Place of Scenic Beauty in 1934.

The park appears on the 'ha' card in Jomo Karuta, a traditional card game representing important locations in Gunma Prefecture culture. This recognition shows how deeply the place connects to local identity and tradition.

The park is about a 30-minute walk from Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. Entry fees apply during azalea season, so plan your visit timing based on when you want to see the peak blooms.

The park grows the Space Azalea, a variety developed from seeds that traveled aboard the Columbia space shuttle with astronaut Chiaki Mukai. This unusual connection between spaceflight and botany gives the park an unexpected link to space exploration history.