Funaoka Castle Park 船岡城址公園

Funaoka Castle Park in Shibata-cho is designated as one of the top 100 places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. Brave the steep footpaths or hop on the old-fashioned slope car to snake your way through the blankets of pink to reach the breathtaking scene at the castle's summit.

The park is located a 15-minute walk from Funaoka Station, which is served by the Tohoku Line. Funaoka Station can be reached by train from Sendai Station in about 25 minutes.

Cherry trees blossom early to late April during the Shibata Sakura Festival. Bring your own picnic bento box or pick up a homemade one with festival-style food sold at the base of the mini mountain. Eat straight away or carry your meal with you and try to find a lucky spot to sit up above.

Enjoy the panoramic view of deep blue sky contrasting the pretty pinks all around. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Zao with the last snow of winter in the distance. Share the view with the 24-meter-tall Funaoka Heiwa Kannon staring into the distance. Upgrade your already amazing view by stepping inside the statue to reach the observation windows.

Cross the park's bridge over the train tracks to meet a near-endless line of riverside cherry blossoms. This is one starting point of the well-known “Shiroishigawa-tsutsumi Hitome Senbonzakura” line of 1,000 cherry blossoms.