Amazing AOMORI

Cherry trees of the North Japanese hill cherry variety stretch for an astonishing twenty kilometers along this road at the southern foot of Mount Iwaki. When the approximately 6,500 trees come into full bloom, they create spectacular scenery with the majestic, snow-capped mountain in the background. There is also a walking promenade along the way where you can enjoy the blossoms up close, along with flowering moss phlox.

At this park located next to a shrine, about 330 cherry trees blossom around a scenic pond. Visitors can enjoy the stunning sight while pedaling or rowing a boat on the pond, which is also home to hundreds of Asian carp fish. A cherry-blossom festival is held from late April to early May.

This street in Towada City is lined with 155 cherry trees, stretching for over one kilometer. It is lit up at night during the cherry-blossom season, resulting in highly photogenic scenery. An observation deck on the third floor of the Towada City Office is also open to the public during this time, so that you can even view the cherry-blossom-lined street from above.

Over 1,500 cherry trees bloom within this sprawling nature park in Goshogawara City. The park is centered around the beautiful Lake Ashino and home to many species of wildlife. The juxtaposition of the pastel-pink cherry blossoms with the bright yellowish-orange trains running on the Tsugaru Railway makes an exceptionally picturesque sight. A popular cherry-blossom festival is also held in the park in late April or early May each year, drawing many visitors.

Of course, cherry blossoms are a beloved symbol of springtime in Japan, but in Aomori Prefecture and particularly in the Hirosaki area, the cherry-blossom season is immediately followed by the flowering season of another blossom that is especially near and dear to the hearts of Aomori residents—apple blossoms!

At Hirosaki City Apple Park, an apple-blossom festival is held in May to celebrate the blooming of the park’s thousands of apple trees, with various events for visitors of all ages. These whitish flowers have a different charm from that of cherry blossoms but are no less captivating. Visitors can stroll the park’s orchard paths, with beautiful views of Mount Iwaki looming in the background.

In addition to cherry and apple blossoms, springtime in Aomori Prefecture is accompanied by the blooming of numerous other varieties of colorful flowers. Here are introductions to a few, along with their blooming seasons.

Yokohama Town (Kamikita District) is famous for its production of canola, and a variety of delicacies made with local canola can be tasted or purchased here, including canola honey, canola soft-serve ice cream, canola donuts, and more.

During the month of May, brilliant yellow canola blossoms bloom across 128 hectares of fields in the town, culminating in the Canola-Blossom Festival held on a Saturday and Sunday in the middle of the month. In addition to the festival’s main event, a marathon, visitors can also enjoy a canola-blossom maze as well as various special performances.

At Chausuyama Park in Owani Onsen Hot-Spring Village (Owani Town, Minamitsugaru District), approximately 15,000 azalea bushes blossom, covering the slopes of Mount Chausuyama. Several paths lead to the mountain’s summit, lined not only by colorful azaleas but also by other wild grasses and flowers, along with stone slabs inscribed with haiku verses. There is also an observatory at the summit offering views of the hot-spring village.

Hase Peony Garden (Nambu Town, Sannohe District) is located amid a forest along the slopes of Mount Nakuidake. The planting of peonies here began when seedlings were brought all the way from Hase-dera Temple in Nara Prefecture, known as the “temple of flowers” for its peony garden. The approximately 8,000 peonies delight visitors with their beauty and sweet fragrance. Blossoms almost as big as your head stretch as far as the eyes can see!

As you can see, springtime in Aomori Prefecture is a spectacular season when the natural world comes alive to celebrate the end of the long and harsh winter. From iconic pastel-pink cherry blossoms to whitish apple blossoms, brilliant yellow canola blossoms, and multihued azaleas and peonies, beautiful flowers delight the eyes, making this the perfect time for a trip to Aomori.