Ohori Park — Castle Moat Turned City Sanctuary

**Early morning circuit:** The lake circuit (2 km) takes 25 minutes walking, 12 minutes jogging. At 6:30am before rush hour it's a silent loop shared only with serious runners and a few elderly walkers. The lake surface at that hour, with mist rising and the castle ruins silhouetted behind, is a view not visible from any tourist itinerary. **Cherry blossoms:** The park has 180 cherry trees that bloom in late March–early April. The most photogenic spot: the southwest corner where the trees overhang the water and their reflections double the display. **Tea ceremony at the teahouse:** The teahouse in the Japanese garden offers informal tea (¥600 including a wagashi sweet) daily 10:00–16:30. No reservation needed. The November maple viewing season is the best time — tea and autumn foliage inside the formal garden while the city moves outside.