Guida
Kameike Park, located in Sakai, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a scenic park centered around a massive reservoir constructed during the Edo period. The reservoir was created by Yasoe Izawa, a native of Nogami, Kainan City, to serve as an irrigation source. With a surface area of approximately 130,000 square meters and a storage capacity of about 540,000 cubic meters at full capacity, it is one of the largest of its kind in Wakayama Prefecture. It has even been selected as one of the "100 Best Ponds" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, highlighting its historical significance in supporting local agriculture.
The history of the Kameike reservoir dates back to 1710 during the Edo period. It was completed by Yasoe Izawa to provide irrigation for the surrounding farmlands. Legend has it that the construction involved 55,000 laborers and was completed in just three months. This reservoir enabled rice production across ten surrounding villages. A highlight of the park is the "Soseikaku" pavilion located on an island within the pond. Originally a villa for the Kishu Tokugawa family, the structure was built under the Wakaura Toshogu shrine in 1917 and was later moved to its current location in 1968. It features a unique structure with four central pillars, assembled using techniques similar to those used in castle keeps and five-story pagodas.
The most spectacular sight is the approximately 2,000 cherry trees that bloom in the spring. During early April, the