HOME Back

My Favorites

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

View All

Use the

Planning a Trip to Japan?

Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp

None

Hirosaki Park in Cherry Blossom Season

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hirosaki Park in Cherry Blossom Season

Around 2,600 sakura trees in full bloom surround Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki City Hall

Hirosaki Park is known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. From mid-April to early May, the park is filled with more than 50 varieties of sakura blossoms with about 2,600 trees in full bloom.

Hirosaki Castle, located in the park, is the only existing castle tower in Tohoku from the Edo period (1603-1868), and the cherry blossoms in full bloom enhance the beauty of the castle. All the cherry trees in the park are numbered and carefully managed one by one by the park gardeners, so even the oldest trees, over 100 years old, have voluminous and magnificent flowers. The trees originate back to 1715, when the Tsugaru clan requisitioned 25 Kasumi zakura cherry trees from Kyoto and planted them in the grounds of Hirosaki Castle.

The park offers numerous spots for stunning cherry blossom photos. The castle itself provides a stunning canvas for the many shades of pink, but there is also a cherry blossom tunnel; Hana ikada, or 'flower rafts', referring to the large number of cherry blossom petals that cluster together and float along the surface of the castle’s moat; the cherry blossoms at night reflected on the water surface; and even a place where the cherry blossoms look like a heart shape. Just walking slowly through the park while taking pictures will be a special memory.

The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually between late April and early May. Refer to Hirosaki Tourism’s website below to find out the dates for the next festival.