Cherry blossom spots in Tohoku are characterized by outstanding scenery, and the region enjoys the longest cherry blossom viewing period in Japan. One can enjoy the colorful flower scenery for about a month, from early April to early May. Here are some of the best spots to enjoy cherry blossoms in Tohoku.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival – Aomori Prefecture
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, is known as one of the three most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. About 2,600 cherry blossom trees add color to the spring, and the Hana-ikada seasons (petal floating on the surface of the water) are particularly spectacular when the cherry blossom petals turn the river pink.
The moat is lit up to create a magical atmosphere! This place is recommended for those who want to take a typical Japanese photo of a castle and cherry blossoms. It’s also one of the best places if you want to visit late cherry blooming spots in Tohoku. The event usually is held from the end of April to early May every year.
Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival – Iwate Prefecture
Kitakami Tenshochi is a park in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, which is lined with 10,000 cherry trees of 150 different varieties. It is one of the best 100 cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan and one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Michinoku region, attracting many tourists every year.
In particular, the horse-drawn carriages that run slowly along the line of cherry blossom trees create a nostalgic atmosphere that can only be experienced here. There is also a Japanese tradition of vivid carp streamers flying over the Kitakami River, giving visitors a nostalgic view of Japan.
Cherry Blossom and Rapeseed Road – Akita Prefecture
About 4,000 cherry blossom trees and rapeseed flowers are planted along the 11km-long Prefectural Road 298, running through Ogata Village in Akita Prefecture. The contrast between the pink of the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the bright yellow of the rape blossoms is unique and can only be seen here.
The Cherry Blossom and Rapeseed Festival is held from late April to early May and is a great place for families to enjoy fun events such as picking rapeseed and mini steam train rides through the rapeseed field. It’s also a great place to drive a car and enjoy looking up at the cherry blossom trees from the car window!
Michinoku Forest Lakeside Park Flower Festival – Miyagi Prefecture
Michinoku Forest Lakeside Park is the largest national park in Tohoku and is popular for its annual flower festival held from mid-April to early May. The park has 60 varieties of tulips and 1,400 cherry trees grown in a natural environment. The facilities here are excellent, with athletic equipment and activities for children, barbeque, and auto camping, making it the perfect place to enjoy some relaxing family time after flower viewing.
Aobayama Park Cherry Blossoms (Sendai Castle Ruins) – Sendai City
The ruins of Sendai Castle are visited by many tourists throughout the year. There are about 480 cherry trees mainly near the Sendai City Museum. It’s recommended to take a picture of the statue of Date Masamune riding his horse and the cherry blossoms together! The place is also a great destination for history buffs to take a tour of history while viewing the cherry blossoms.
Kajo Park – Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Castle, built by Mogami Yoshiaki, the greatest warlord in the Tohoku region, is one of the largest castles in Japan and is recognized as one of the 100 best castles in Japan. Every year around mid-April, about 1,500 cherry trees are planted around the quaint castle walls, and many tourists come to view the cherry blossoms. At the same time, the East Moat is lit up, and the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the river are superb. It’s also recommended because the access is very convenient. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Yamagata Station, where the Shinkansen and express buses depart and arrive! If you come to Yamagata in spring, don’t forget to stop by this castle.
Hanamiyama Park – Fukushima Prefecture
Hanamiyama is known as the “The Peach Blossom Spring of Fukushima“. In the spring, the best feature of the park is the colorful blooming of various kinds of flowers, such as plum (Ume) and flowering peach (Hanamomo), along with more than ten kinds of cherry blossoms. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the changing colors of the white and pink flowers, and on a clear day, you can see the mountain range still covered with snow, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms and the snow at the same time. The locals call the remaining snow “snow rabbit” (yukiusagi) because it resembles the shape of a rabbit. Enjoy spring in Hanamiyama Park, where not only cherry blossoms but a variety of other flowers bloom!
Rapeseed Blossoms Fukushimagata Wetlands – Niigata Prefecture
Cherry blossoms aren’t the only attraction in spring! At Fukushimagata wetlands in Niigata Prefecture, yellow rapeseed blossoms bloom all over the 3-hectare park around the beginning of April every year. The scenery of rapeseed flowers yellow carpet is a breathtaking sight. There are more than 400 species of plants growing in the wetlands, and the rich soil attracts 200 species of wild birds, making it a true treasure trove of nature! Birdwatching and camping are also available, so be sure to experience a different way to enjoy spring than cherry blossom viewing!
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