View source for Miya River Banks

The '''Miya River Banks''' (宮川堤公園 ''miyagawa tsutsumi kōen'') is a park along the portion of the Miya River that runs near central [[Ise]].  It is home to Mie's most impressive sakura park, as well as a quality fireworks display in the summer and a few modest exercise facilities.

==Features==
The park runs on both sides of the Watarai Bridge, and so has a northern and southern area.  There are a large number of sakura trees in both areas, and they also are both home to an exercise track and some open fields.  It's a popular place for skaters to practice in the evenings.

==Events==
*'''Hanami'''
*:With over 1000 cherry blossoms, it is bar none Mie's most impressive sakura display in terms of the number of trees.  The park is the only place in Mie to make the official "100 best sakura viewing spots" book.  There is a road running through the trees which creates a "sakura tunnel" effect.  But the beauty only lasts for a week in early April!
*:There will be lots of people, especially on weekends, as well as plenty of food stalls in the northern area, thus there are generally less people in the southern area.  If the full bloom day falls on a weekend and you want a spot, you will have some serious competition so it's best to get there are reserve as early as possible.

*'''Fireworks'''
*:The Big Ise Grand Shrine affiliated fireworks show is held here with about 100 food stalls serving every kind of snack food you could imagine.

*'''Okihiki'''
*:Though the Okihiki festival is only held three times per 20 years (the next scheduled year is 2025), the procession to the Outer Shrine begins here in the southern portion of the park.

==Maps==
*[http://maps.google.co.jp/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=ja&geocode=&q=%E5%AE%AE%E5%B7%9D%E5%A0%A4%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92&aq=&sll=36.5626,136.362305&sspn=32.201037,56.513672&brcurrent=3,0x6004509910426ec5:0xfa571fb7f3fe1119,0&ie=UTF8&hq=%E5%AE%AE%E5%B7%9D%E5%A0%A4%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92&hnear=&ll=34.492692,136.686058&spn=0.03247,0.055189&z=14 Google map]

==Directions==
Located on the Ise-side of the Miyagawa, right at the Watarai Bridge (度会橋 ''watarai bashi''). The blossoms can be found both north and south of the bridge.

===By Car===
Route 37 in western Ise, between Obata and downtown Ise.  This is the same major road that runs straight west of Iseshi Station.

===By Train===
The closest train station is '''Yamada Kamiguchi''' (山田上口) Station on the [[JR]] Sangū Line, however '''Miyamachi''' (宮町) Station on the [[Kintetsu]] Yamada Line is not too much further.  For anybody not traveling from Toba or Shima, you will cross the river immediately before stopping at the above stations -- simply head in the direction of the river and you will find the event.

Walking from '''Iseshi''' (伊勢市) Station is doable as well, but give yourself at least 30 minutes to get there.  Turn right out of the JR side of the station and follow the main road.  Buses also run in the direction of Watarai Bridge from this part (JR side) of Iseshi Station.

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[[Category:Recreation and Entertainment]]
[[Category:Outdoors]]
[[Category:Hanami]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Location]]