Garyu Koen Park is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Nagano Prefecture. The roughly 600 cherry trees typically bloom from mid to late April.With the pond water's reflection of Mt. Garyu and the cherry trees in bloom, the aesthetic of Garyu Koen Park is one of stunning serenity. The mountain is said to look like a sleeping dragon. And, for those with kids, the park has a small zoo for the children to explore and enjoy. An interesting factoid about the park is that it was designed by Honda Seiroku, a famous gardener and professor who was also responsible for the devleopment of Meiji Jingu Shrine and Hibiya Koen Park in Tokyo.