THE BEST CHERRY BLOSSOM SIGHTSEEING SPOTS IN TOHOKU

Tohoku blooms with cherry blossom during spring as the region is known for its beautiful countryside. With tourists flocking to destinations like Osaka and Tokyo during sakura season, Tohoku provides a leisurely respite for discerning travelers.

Found in the north of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, Tohoku comprises six prefectures that have distinct cultures and experiential landscapes. This includes Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima; Niigata prefecture is also part of Tohoku, ensuring more destinations for travelers.

We list the best cherry blossom spots in each prefecture travelers can visit in Tohoku.

Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima Prefecture

Hanamiyama Park is just outside central Fukushima, surrounding a rural farming neighborhood, in Fukushima Prefecture. Farmers originally planted flowering trees and plants on the hillsides, until the land publicly opened as a park. Now, it has become one of the top cherry blossom spots in Fukushima City.

Hanamiyama Park

Hanamiyama Park is home to numerous flowering, including cherry, plum, and forsythia blossoms. Take the one of the many walking routes and stroll under the canopy of blossoms, the snow-capped Azuma mountain range in the distance.

Senshu Park in Akita Prefecture

Senshu Park exudes the timeless elegance of a classic Japanese Garden. Visitors will also see the ruins of the Kubota Castle. The castle was built by Satake Yoshinobu, the first lord of the Akita Domain in 1603; and the grounds eventually became a garden during the Meija Era.

Senshu Park

Kajo Castle Park in Yamagata Prefecture

Found in the heart of the city, Kajo Castle retains some of its original structure from its first construction in 1592. It also boasts of 1,500 cherry blossom trees; it also complements the outer citadel, framing the main gate and the surrounding moats with rows of blooming trees.

Kajo Castle

Funaoka Castle Park in Miyagi Prefecture

Take the old fashioned slope car going to the summit of Funaoka Castle Park and enjoy the panoramic views of Shibata, Mt. Zao, and the pink canopies of trees. Just across the park bridge, visitors will also see the never-ending row of riverside cherry blossoms. Likewise, this is one possible starting point to a stroll along the iconic “Shiroishigawa- tsutsumi Hitome Senbonzakura” line of 1,000 cherry blossoms.

Funaoka Park

Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture

The cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park are vibrantly beautiful because these are pruned with the technique local apple farmers use on their apple trees. This also allows the flowers to grow more lush and thick every year, so that it hangs downs on the branches dramatically.

There are more than 2,600 cherry blossom trees in the park, with numerous spots for photos. As such, it is no surprise this is one of the top best 3 sakura spots in Japan. Additionally, capture the Hirosaki Castle backdropped by cherry blossoms; or take in the castle and cherry blossom views from the water by renting a boat at the west moat.

Morioka Castle Ruins Park in Iwate Prefecture

Morioka Castle Ruins Park features a beautiful plum grove that comprises approximately 1,000 plum trees. These bloom beautifully in the start of spring, then followed by the 200 cherry blossom trees found in the park. Even as the Morioka Castle retains well- preserved ancient stone walls, the grounds are now a beautiful modern green space for visitors to enjoy.

Tohoku blooms with life and color during spring, and it is definitely the next place travelers must visit for their annual cherry blossom sightseeing.

Takada Castle Park in Niigata Prefecture

Takada Castle Park is one of the top three sakura spots at night. It is home to countless of cherry trees that are beautifully lit by paper lanterns. Don’t miss Sakura Road, where the trees are lined up dramatically.

How to Get to Tohoku: From Tokyo

Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA offer several flight options from Tokyo to Tohoku. JAL offers flights from Haneda to Aomori, Misawa, Odate Noshiro, Akita, and Yamagata. ANA also offers flights from Haneda to Shonai; and flights from Narita to Sendai and Niigata.

Waiting for the play to start in Solothurn’s century-old city theater

A WEEK-LONG PARTY IN SOLOTHURN

Additionally, travelers can also take the shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to the following in Tohoku: Fukushima Station, Sendai Station, Yamagata Station, Morioka Station, Akita Station, Shin-Aomori Station, and Niigata Station.

How to Get to Tohoku: From Hokkaido

From the New Chitose Airport, travelers can also choose where to land in Tohoku. JAL offers flights from Haneda to Aomori, Misawa, Odate Noshiro, Akita, and Yamagata. ANA also offers flights from Haneda to Shonai; and flights from Narita to Sendai and Niigata.

From the New Chitose Airport, travelers can also choose where to land in Tohoku. JAL and ANA offer flights going to Aomori, Akita, Iwate Hanamaki, Yamagata, Sendai, Fukushima, and Niigata.