The Changing Seasons: A Tranquil View from the City's Peak - Nishi Park and Ohori Park

In the early morning, I arrived at Nishi Park, a park built along the mountainside and a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Fukuoka. Although it was not cherry blossom season, the dense shade and the gentle breeze rustling the green leaves still evoked the poetry of nature. I walked up the winding paths, occasionally passing by morning joggers and leisurely strolling elders, with the entire park exuding a serene and pleasant atmosphere. Upon reaching the observation deck at the top, I was greeted with a panoramic view of Fukuoka's cityscape, with Hakata Bay and Nokonoshima Island shimmering in the morning light, making me feel utterly refreshed. Standing in front of the Gokoku Shrine, I felt the solemnity and tranquility emanating from this shrine dedicated to Fukuoka's heroic spirits, as if history and modernity intersected here, witnessing the changes of the city. In the afternoon, I visited the nearby Ohori Park, an urban oasis built around a lake, surrounded by lush greenery and sparkling waters. I rented a bicycle and rode along the lakeside, occasionally stopping to admire the graceful swans gliding in the lake or to enjoy a bowl of matcha at a lakeside teahouse, allowing myself to be completely immersed in the tranquility of nature.