Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Near the end of April every year Aomori Prefecture becomes pink with the blossoms of cherry trees. As one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites and one of Japan’s Top 100 Sights of People and Nature, the cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Park are famed as one of the best cherry blossom sights in Japan. Hirosaki Park is a home to 2600 trees with over 50 different types of cherry including Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry), and Yaezakura (Double Layer Cherry). Over 2,000,000 visitors visit the park during the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held annually between April 23rd and May 5th.
Starting with the Sakura Tunnel (cherry blossom tunnel) on the west moat, the cherry blossoms of Hirosaki Park enchant visitors with a variety of displays throughout the viewing season. Visitors can paddle a small boat to view blossoms reflecting off the moat, come at night to see the trees illuminated, or see the grounds carpeted in falling blossoms.
History of the Largest Scale Cherry Blossoms in Japan
The cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park are lauded as the largest-scaled in Japan. They originate back to 1715, when the Tsugaru clan requisitioned 25 Kasumizakura cherry trees from Kyoto and planted them in the grounds of Hirosaki Castle, present day Hirosaki Park.
The cherry trees continued to grow with the help from citizens. By the Taisho era, the castle had become surrounded by splendid cherry trees.
*Taisho era –1912-1926
Tebura de Kanokai – Enjoying the cherry blossoms without hassle
Local residents have the custom of holding cherry viewing parties known as Kanokai, enjoying a picnic under the cherry blossom trees.
The Tebura de Kanokai is a service to visitors wishing to enjoy a hassle-free Kanokai; just bring yourself and we will prepare the rest.
Cost | ¥44,000 per person (prices differs depending on the course) |
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Website | (English)http://sakura.hirosakipark.jp/en/ |
General Information
- Date
- April 23rd to May 5th Annually *Dates may change
- Time
- Food Stall Hours/9:00~21:00 Night Illumination/18:30~22:00 [Pay Zone and Hours] Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa/7:00~21:00 Hirosaki Castle Arboretum/9:00~18:00(Tickets sold until 17:30)
- Address
- 青森県弘前市下白銀町1
- Contact
- Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center
- Telephone Number
- 0172-37-5501
- Prices
- [Fees]
Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa/Adult ¥320(¥250) Child ¥100(¥80)
Hirosaki Castle Arboretum/Adult ¥320(¥250) Child ¥100(¥80)
Combination Ticket(Honmaru, Kita no Kuruwa, Arboretum, and Fujita Memorial Garden)/
Adult ¥520(¥470)Child ¥160(¥130)
*Prices in ( ) are group discount price. Group discount available for 10 people or more. - Directions
- JR Hirosaki Station
Konan Bus Dotemachi Loop 100 Yen Bus (¥100)
Get off at Shiyakusho Mae Stop (Front of City Hall)
5 Minute Walk
Hiroaki Park
JR Hirosaki Station
30 Minute Walk
Hirosaki Park - Website
- Hirosaki Tourism and Convention BureauSee trip advisor
Basic Information
- Multilingual
Staff - Multilingual
Signs - Free Wi-Fi
- Contactless
Payments - Tax Free
- Parking Lot
- Barrier-Free
Toilet - Barrier-Free
COVID-19 Prevention
- Face Masks
Required - Sanitizing
Stations - Temperature
Checks - Physical
Distancing