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 | ¥30,000 per person (prices differs depending on the course) |
|---|---|
| Contact for more information | [email protected] |
| Website | (English)http://sakura.hirosakipark.jp/en/ |
Basic Information
| Address | 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori 036-8356 |
|---|---|
| Tel | Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center 0172-37-5501 |
| Period | April 23rd to May 5th Annually *Dates may change |
| Open | 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) |
| Price | [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. |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| URL | Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center(English) |
Transportation
JR Hirosaki Station 30 Minute Walk Hirosaki Park
