[2026 Edition] Aomori's cherry blossoms are at their best during Golden Week! Introducing cherry blossom viewing spots & events like Hirosaki Castle

Around Golden Week, cherry blossoms begin to bloom all at once across Aomori Prefecture. Among them, Hirosaki Park is a nationally popular spot where you can view cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the stone walls of Hirosaki Castle. In addition, Aomori has many hidden gems known only to locals, where you can see rare varieties or enjoy flower viewing from special seats. Along with such famous cherry blossom spots, we will also introduce events that will make your flower viewing even more enjoyable.

The collaboration between Hirosaki Castle and cherry blossoms is a must-see.

This park, which spreads out around Hirosaki Castle, is one of the best flower viewing spots in the country. You can enjoy about 2,600 cherry trees of approximately 50 varieties within the park. The main variety is the Somei Yoshino, which blooms from late April to early May. In addition, you can see a wide variety of species for over a month, such as the Yaebeni Shidare that blooms from early May.
There are many cherry blossom viewing points, and among them, the cherry blossom scenery viewed from the main enclosure with Mt. Iwaki in the background and the "Cherry Blossom Tunnel," where a row of cherry trees continues for about 400 meters, are popular. The "Hanaikada" (flower raft), where fallen petals fill the moat, is also breathtakingly beautiful, looking like a spread-out pink carpet.
Many events, including the "Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival," are also prepared to coincide with the blooming period.

[Blooming Period] Usually late April
[Best Time to View] Usually late April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino, Yaebeni Shidare, Shidarezakura, Hirosaki Yukiakari, and others

▼Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2026
Dates: April 17 (Fri) - May 5 (Tue/Holiday), 2026 *Light-up is from sunset to 22:00
Note: The schedule may be subject to change depending on the blooming status of the cherry blossoms.
URL: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_spring_sakura#matsuri_main

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The greatest feature of "Hirosaki Park" is that you can enjoy it even after the cherry blossoms have fallen. The moats filled with fallen petals are a spectacular sight.

Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle)
  • Address1 Shirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
  • Access30-minute walk from JR Hirosaki Station
  • Bus access15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station, get off at "Shiyakusho-mae" and walk 5 minutes
  • Business hoursFree admission to the park; Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa are open from April 1 to November 23, 9:00–17:00
  • Admission FeePark admission is free; Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa are paid areas: 320 yen for high school students and older, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students (free during the winter season from November 24 to March 31)
  • TEL0172-33-8733 (Hirosaki City Green Association)
  • NotesDuring the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, park hours are 9:00–21:00

    The interior of the Hirosaki Castle keep will be closed for some time due to preservation, repair, and seismic retrofitting work. (Scheduled to reopen in April 2033)

Enjoy cherry blossom viewing and festivals against the backdrop of the blue sea.

Mutsu Bay is surrounded by the Tsugaru and Shimokita Peninsulas. Gappo Park is a seaside park that stretches along the Mutsu Bay coastline.
Known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms, you can see over 600 cherry trees in the park. From mid- to late April, you can enjoy Somei Yoshino, pale pink Oyamazakura, and weeping cherry trees, while Satozakura can be enjoyed until early May.
During Golden Week, the Aomori Spring Festival is held, featuring many food stalls, dance shows, fireworks, and other events. At night, countless paper lanterns are lit, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a magical atmosphere.

[Blooming Season] Typically mid- to late April
[Best Time to View] Typically late April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino, Oyamazakura, Weeping Cherry, Satozakura, and others

▼ Aomori Spring Festival
Date and Time: April 18 (Sat) - April 29 (Wed/Holiday), 2026 *April 16 (Thu) - 17 (Fri) are pre-festival days
Note: Eating while walking is prohibited
URL: https://aomori-tourism.com/event/detail_5532.html

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During the spring festival, food stalls line the streets, allowing you to fully enjoy the festive atmosphere!

Gappo Park
  • Address2-17-50 Gappo, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 8 minutes by car from JR Aomori Station
  • Bus accessApprox. 15 minutes by Aomori City Bus (Tobu Homen Line) bound for "Tobu Eigyosho" from JR Aomori Station, then a 2-minute walk from the "Gappo Koen-mae" stop
  • TEL017-741-6634
  • ParkingFree (Paid from 9:00 to 18:00 during the festival)

Over 50 varieties of cherry blossoms captivate visitors.

Kuroishi City is located right in the center of Aomori Prefecture. Higashi Park Sakurayama, a place of relaxation for citizens, is a cherry blossom viewing spot where you can see about 700 trees of 52 varieties from late April to early May. The main varieties include Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and mountain cherry trees.
In addition, you can see rare varieties such as the Gyoiko, which blooms with pale green flowers, and the Yokihi, named for the beauty of the flower being compared to a peerless beauty. Among them, the Banriko, a type of double-flowered cherry, is particularly stylish in appearance, with white petals edged in deep pink.
On clear days, it is recommended to view the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the dynamic Mt. Iwaki, known as the "Tsugaru Fuji." The Kuroishi Cherry Blossom Festival, held for nearly two weeks starting in late April, is also popular for its variety of events.

[Blooming Season] Typically late April
[Best Time to View] Typically late April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino, Weeping Cherry, Mountain Cherry, Gyoiko, Yokihi, and others

▼Kuroishi Sakura Festival
Events such as cherry tree planting ceremonies and Yosakoi dance performances are planned. Food stalls, including those selling Kuroishi yakisoba, are also scheduled to be open.
Period: April 17 (Fri) – April 26 (Sun), 2026, 9:00–16:00 *No nighttime light-up
Location: Higashi Park Sakura-yama (Main venue is on the riverbed side below Higashi Park Sakura-yama)
Notes: https://kuroishi.or.jp/event/spring/sakuramaturi

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We also recommend taking a leisurely stroll along the promenade to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Azuma Park Sakura-yama
  • Address2-chome, Sakunoki, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 7 minutes by car from Konan Railway Kuroishi Station
  • Bus accessApprox. 8 minutes by Konan Bus (Okawara Line or Nukuyu Line) from Konan Railway Kuroishi Station, then a 1-minute walk from the "Kuroishi Chugakko-mae" stop
  • TEL0172-52-3488 (Kuroishi Tourism Association)
  • ParkingFree

Enjoy a relaxing cherry blossom viewing experience in a vast park.

A vast, 37-hectare comprehensive leisure park that represents Hachinohe City. It is one of the prefecture's leading cherry blossom viewing spots, where approximately 2,000 cherry trees, mainly Somei Yoshino, paint the park from late April to early May.
The park is divided into nine zones, and the "Sakura no Mori (Cherry Blossom Forest) Zone" is especially recommended in the spring. There are six free, non-reservable box seats under the cherry trees that can accommodate about 5 to 10 people, allowing you to enjoy a premium cherry blossom viewing experience.
The "Hachinohe Park Spring Festival" is also held during Golden Week. A variety of events are held daily, including jazz performances, cheerleading, and song shows, delighting the many visitors who come from both inside and outside the city.

[Flowering Season] Typically late April
[Best Time to View] Typically late April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino, Yamazakura, Yaezakura, etc.

▼Hachinohe Park Spring Festival
Date and Time: April 29 (Wed/Holiday) – May 6 (Wed/Substitute Holiday), 2026, 9:00–17:00
Location: Lawn Plaza Zone
https://aomori-tourism.com/event/detail_8706.html

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The large park includes an amusement park, a botanical garden, and a mini zoo, so you can spend the whole day there.

Hachinohe Park
  • Address33-2 Tenma, Tokaichi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 16 minutes by car from JR Hachinohe Station
  • Bus accessFrom JR Hon-Hachinohe Station, take the Hachinohe City Bus bound for "Kore-kawa Danchi" for approx. 21 minutes, get off at "Kodomo-no-Kuni-dori" and walk for approx. 6 minutes, or get off at "Kodomo-no-Kuni-iriguchi" (operates on specific days/times) and it is right there.
  • Business hoursBotanical Garden 9:00–17:00, Amusement Park until 16:45
  • ClosedMondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday or observed holiday); the amusement park is also closed from mid-November to March 31 of the following year.
  • Admission FeeFree admission; rides and other amusement facilities in the park require a fee.
  • TEL0178-96-2932
  • ParkingFree

A popular cherry blossom viewing spot within walking distance from the station.

A 1.6-hectare public park built on the site of Hachinohe Castle. It is an oasis for the people of Hachinohe and is popular as a cherry blossom spot in the spring. You can see about 50 Somei Yoshino trees in the park, and it gets crowded with cherry blossom viewers, especially on weekends during the flowering season from late April to early May.
The recommended viewing point is the lawn plaza. It is surrounded by cherry trees and is perfect for enjoying cherry blossom viewing. On sunny days, there is a relaxed atmosphere with groups spreading out picnic sheets for parties and people taking walks while admiring the cherry blossoms. There is also playground equipment in the park, making it recommended for families as well.

[Flowering Season] Typically late April
[Best Time to View] Typically late April
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino

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Since the park is located on a hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hachinohe cityscape.

Miyagi Park
  • Address1-14-49 Uchimaru, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, etc. MAP
  • AccessApprox. 5-minute walk from Hon-Hachinohe Station
  • TEL0178-43-9141 (Hachinohe City Park and Greenery Division)
  • ParkingNone

A beautiful performance of cherry blossoms, pine trees, and art objects.

Known locally as "Koma Kaido" (Horse Road), this street was selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan." The approximately 1.1 km long street is lined with cherry trees and pines, creating a vivid contrast between the brilliantly blooming cherry blossoms and the green of the pines in spring. You can see 156 cherry trees, primarily Somei Yoshino, as well as Kanzan, Takanezakura, and Yaebeni-shidare varieties, and enjoy the collaboration with 26 art objects scattered along the road.
During the cherry blossom season, the Towada City Hall opens its 5th-floor lobby to the public, offering a panoramic view of the government office street dyed in soft pink.

[Flowering Period] Mid to late April annually
[Best Time to View] Late April to early May annually
[Cherry Blossom Varieties] Somei Yoshino, Kanzan, Takanezakura, Yaebeni-shidare

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The city is overflowing with art! It is a popular spot where you can enjoy cherry blossoms, art, and horse history.

Enjoy the "Towada City Spring Festival" along with the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The "Sakura Yabusame" (cherry blossom horseback archery) is also a highlight, featuring a match between gorgeous costumes and cherry blossoms.
The "Sakura Yabusame" (cherry blossom horseback archery) is also a highlight, featuring a beautiful match between the colorful costumes and the cherry blossoms

A major event held during the city's cherry blossom season, with the Towada City Government Office Street as the main venue. It is packed with fun activities, including street performances such as the "Yosakoi Genki Matsuri" and the "Sakura Yabusame" (cherry blossom horseback archery) performed by female riders. During the festival, the observation lobby of Towada City Hall, which overlooks the cherry blossoms on the government office street, is open to the public (9:00–20:00). The trees are illuminated at night, allowing you to enjoy the night cherry blossoms as well.

▼Towada City Spring Festival
Various events such as parades and concerts are held, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. There is also a product exhibition selling Towada City specialties.
Dates: April 18 (Sat) – May 5 (Tue/Holiday), 2026
*Illumination is held in accordance with the cherry blossom blooming (18:00–21:00)
Location: Towada City Government Office Street, Towada City Central Park Green Space, Central Parking Lot
Notes: https://towada-harumatsuri.info/

▼The 23rd Sakura Yabusame
Yabusame (horseback archery) performed by female riders gathered from all over the country. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also available.
Date and Time: April 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun), 2026, 10:00–14:00
Location: Towada City Central Park Green Space
Notes: http://towada-joba.com/sakurayabusame/

Towada City Kanchogai-dori Street
  • AddressAround Nishi-12-bancho, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
  • AccessApprox. 24 minutes by car from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station
  • Bus accessApprox. 35 minutes on the Towada Kanko Dentetsu bus bound for Towada City from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station, then get off at "Kancho-gai Dori" and walk immediately to the site (runs once or twice per hour)
  • TEL0176-51-6772 (Towada City Tourism Promotion Division)
  • ParkingPaid
  • Notes*Opening hours, regular holidays, and admission fees are for the observation lobby on the 5th floor of the Towada City Hall new building
*The information provided is current as of the date of the article's update. Please check in advance as it may be subject to change.