Maruike Park

"This park is located about a five-minute drive from the Kurino Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. The park was developed around Maruike, a pond fed by massive amounts of spring water from the foothills of the Kirishima Mountains. It is equipped with a promenade, water fountains, and other facilities. The pond was selected as one of the Top 100 Famous Waters of Japan. Visitors can see flowers such as Yoshino cherry and moss phlox in the spring and fireflies in the summer. An event aimed at showing gratitude for the benefits that locals receive from Maruike Pond called ""Meisui Maruike Kansha no Yube"" is held in early September each year. Attendees are treated to the wondrous sight of nearly 1000 bamboo lanterns floating in the pond."