Where to see cherry blossoms in Tohoku? 東北の桜
Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in northern Japan?
When the cherry trees of Tokyo are about to blossom, it is then that the Tohoku region awakens, from Sendai to Aomori, the progression of "sakura" moves slowly from the beginning of April to mid-May. Here are the most famous spots for the admires of these pretty little pink flowers.
1. Hirosaki Castle Park (Aomori)
2,600 cherry trees surround Hirosaki Castle, a small northern town where snow dominates in winter. Spring sounds like the awakening of these historic trees. In 1960, one of the trees is sick and it is feared that it will die. A gardener tries to prune it severely like the apple trees of the region. The successful operation marks the beginning of this very special way of pruning cherry trees like the famous apple trees of Aomori, which gives them more volume and beautiful large flowers. The reflection in the water of the moat of the castle is remarkable, and even more when the petals have fallen on the water form like a large pink carpet.
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2020, and the matsuri takes place from April 23 to May 6. Festive atmosphere guaranteed with the nocturnal illuminations, boat trips on the moat under the tunnels of flowers.
2. Kakunodate (Akita)
The city of Kakunodate was influenced by the culture of Kyoto, which is why, as in the former imperial capital, you can admire large cherry blossom trees with long hanging branches (shidare zakura) in May.
The story goes that 3 trees were brought from Kyoto by the future wife of a samurai at her wedding, to plant them in her garden and thus remember her hometown.
Along the Hinokinaigawa River, a long tunnel of Somei Yoshino cherry trees stretches over 2 kilometers. They were planted in 1934 to celebrate the birth of Emperor Emeritus Akihito.
At the beginning of May, under the branches of cherry trees with pink flowers, the banks of the river come alive to total wonder.
- Read also: Varieties of cherry trees in Japan
Kakunodate Weeping Cherry Trees
Jerome Laborde
3. Kitakami (Iwate)
In Kitakami, you will appreciate the beauty of a huge "tunnel" of cherry blossoms two kilometers long on the banks of the Kitakami River, with the waves swollen by the freshwater coming from the surrounding mountains which are often still snow-capped in this season.
Since the 1920s, 10,000 cherry trees of 150 different varieties have constituted this incredible space of delight for the eyes and photography enthusiasts in the heart of Tenshôchi Park, where food stands await you to taste local specialties during the sakura matsuri, mid -April to early May.
The best thing about this festival is that the Koinobori festival is added to the cherry blossoms, the flying carp are mixed with the pink flowers, the wind makes the fine fabric fish flutter with the whirling petals. The banks of the river become a magical feast for everyone.
- Read also: The Kitakami Cherry Blossom Festival
4. Miharu Takizakura (Fukushima)
After the long sakura tunnels, here is a single tree, one of a kind, not a tree, but The Tree! It is there, posed for 1000 years in the village of Miharu. Venerated as a god who every year gratifies his devotees with cascades of rose-flowering branches. 13 meters high, 11 meters in circumference imposes this cherry tree as the secular dean of Japan.
Classified as a historic natural monument since 1922, that is to say if you are in front of the divinity of nature...
5. Hitome Sendon Zakura (Miyagi)
On the banks of the Shiroishi River, with the snow-covered Zao Mountains in the background, this is the setting for these 1,200 cherry blossom trees. Hitome (one view) Senbon Zakura (1000 cherry trees) is the spot in the region between Sendai and Fukushima, very easy to access from JR Funaoka station. In 1923, a businessman from Miyagi offered young plants which were installed along the river to become a beautiful place to take a stroll.
And that's not all because not far from the river, the Funaoka Joshi park also discovers its 1000 cherry trees around the ruins of an old feudal castle. On the heights of the park, the panoramic view is breathtaking. You can get there easily by a cable car that climbs slowly in the middle of a forest of flowering trees. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of this breathtaking experience!
The Shibata Sakura Festival takes place in 2020 from April 3 to 19.
- Read also: Cherry blossoms in Japan
6. Eboshiyama koen (Yamagata)
On Mount Eboshi, Eboshiyama Park was laid out in the Meiji era (1868-1903) with rare varieties such as wild Edohigan in addition to a thousand cherry trees that dot the hill. With bridges, stairs and winding paths, passages under torii, small temples, this rather sporty walk will delight as much as it will heighten your senses. From the heights, you will have a beautiful view of the plain of Yonezawa. Accessible from JR Akayu Station.
And above all, don't forget to take advantage of the many historic onsens at the foot of this mountain, to refresh as much as to recharge in total ectasy!
The Sakura Tunnel by the River
Kakunodate Tourist Office
