Atsumi's Rose Garden
Atsumi onsen baraen
あつみ温泉バラ園
Description:
No less than 90 varieties and 3000 roses flower from June to October in Atsumi's rose garden. The peak season for appreciating the roses is in June. During that month, a local ice cream artist sells rose-shaped sorbets, and a "bara-matsuri" ("rose festival") is organized by the onsen villagers. The rose garden circles the lower Kumano shrine. The main Kumano shrine can be accessed through the Mt. Atsumi hiking trail.
Gallery:
Practical Information:
To go there by bus, get on the bus bound for Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉 (bus stop n°1 at Tsuruoka Station), and get off at Kumanojinja mae 熊野神社前.
The access to the rose garden is free.
In June, expect one hour of wait for the rose-shaped ice creams.
Around there:

Atsumi River
Atsumi River is surrounded by a hundred of cherry trees, giving a spectacular view during the cherry blossoms blooming season.
Hiking trails:

Mt. Atsumi's Pilgrimage
Atsumi is said to have been founded by the creator of Shugendo himself: En no Gyoja. Walk upon its sacred Shugendo paths.