Tohoku · AomoriFlower
Around 2,600 cherry trees frame a feudal castle and fill its moats with drifting petals in one of Japan’s finest sakura settings.
Overview
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival transforms the grounds of Hirosaki Castle into a sea of pink each spring. The park is famous for its moats, where fallen petals gather into a pink ‘flower raft’, and for night illuminations that mirror the blossoms in the water. With thousands of trees, boat rides and food stalls, it is a highlight of the northern Tohoku bloom, which arrives weeks after Tokyo’s.
When & Where
The 2026 festival runs April 17 to May 5, timed to Aomori’s later bloom, with peak flowering usually in the last week of April. Illuminations light the park until 22:00. The venue is Hirosaki Park in the city of Hirosaki. Nearest station: Chuo-Hirosaki Station, about a 12-minute walk away.
Getting There
From Shin-Aomori or Aomori, take a JR train to Hirosaki (around 40 to 50 minutes), then walk or catch the 100-yen Dotemachi loop bus toward the park. Chuo-Hirosaki Station on the Konan Railway is the closest stop for those coming from central Hirosaki.
What to Expect
- Roughly 2,600 cherry trees of more than 50 varieties
- Blossoms and castle turrets reflected in the moats
- The famous pink ‘flower raft’ of fallen petals on the water
- Rowboat rides beneath overhanging cherry branches
- Night illuminations and rows of food stalls
Tickets & Access
Entry to Hirosaki Park is free. A small fee (around 320 yen) applies to the inner castle and botanical garden areas, with combination tickets available.
Tips for Visitors
Aim for the last week of April for the best odds of full bloom, and come back after dark for the illuminated moats. Weekends are very busy, so arrive early, and bring a picnic to enjoy hanami on the lawns.
Access and Map
| Dates | April 17 to May 5, 2026 (illuminations until 22:00) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle), Hirosaki, Aomori |
| Nearest station | Chuo-Hirosaki Station (~12 min walk) |
| Access | JR to Hirosaki from Aomori/Shin-Aomori (~40 to 50 min), then bus or walk |
| Admission | Park free; ~320 yen for inner castle and botanical garden |
| Official site | Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) |
Source: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
Image: Photo: MAKIKO OMOKAWA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
