1Tsuruga Castle

The only castle in Japan where you can enjoy the combination of red-tiled castle tower and cherry blossoms

Tsuruga Castle is the symbol of Aizuwakamatsu City and is known as one of the most famous castles in Japan. Although it was demolished after the Boshin War, it was rebuilt in 1965, and the red roofing was restored in a major renovation in 2011. The 220,000m2 area around the castle has been developed into Tsuruga Castle Park, which is now a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with about 3300 cherry trees in full bloom. The combination of the red roofed castle tower and the cherry blossoms, which can only be seen here in Japan, is so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan" by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.
The view from the Ninomaru side is particularly recommended. Over the cherry blossoms, you can see the vermilion-painted corridor bridge leading to the Honmaru, the 20m-high stone walls, and the castle tower in the distance. When lit up, the atmosphere becomes even more fantastical. The Tsuruga Castle Sakura Festival is also held during the cherry blossom season, making the area even more lively.

[Blooming season] Mid to late April
[Best time to see] Mid to late April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yaezakura, Weeping cherry, Yamazakura, etc.

▼Tsuruga Castle Sakura Festival
Date and time: April 1st (Tuesday) - May 6th (Tuesday), 2025
Location: Tsuruga Castle Park
Illumination: From sunset to 9:30pm (until 9pm after the flowers have fallen)
remarks: https://www.aizukanko.com/kk/festival/sakura-matsuri

2Ishibe Cherry Blossoms

A 650-year-old giant cherry tree heralds the arrival of spring in the Aizu region

This giant cherry tree became known nationwide after appearing in the opening credits of the NHK historical drama "Yae no Sakura." It is a Edo Higan tree that is said to be about 650 years old and is a natural monument of Aizuwakamatsu City. The giant tree, which consists of 10 trunks, is about 11m tall and its branches spread out about 20m at its widest point. The sight of the flowers blooming all over the branches is truly majestic, and you can either admire the whole thing from afar or take a walk under the branches and be enveloped in the cherry blossoms.
It is also counted as one of the "Aizu Five Cherry Blossoms" along with Aizu Misato Town's "Torano-o Sakura" and "Usuzumi Sakura," Aizubange Town's "Suginoito Sakura," and Inawashiro Town's "Oshika Sakura." As it is the first of the five to bloom, it is known as the cherry blossom that heralds the arrival of spring in the Aizu region. Note that Ishibe Sakura is located away from Parking and requires walking along the rice paddy paths, so it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing to get there.

[Blooming season] Mid to late April
[Best time to see] Mid-April
[Type of cherry blossom] Edohigan

Ishibe Cherry Blossoms

• https://www.aizukanko.com/spot/628
• Fukushima Prefecture Aizuwakamatsu City Ichinomachi Yahataishibe MAP
• Approximately 8 minutes by car from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, approximately 15 minutes on foot from the temporary Parking
• Take the sightseeing bus from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, get off at "Iimoriyamashita" and walk for about 15 minutes
• 0242-39-1251（会津若松市観光課）
• Free (temporary Parking only during flowering period)

3Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Tree Line

Approximately 1,000 weeping cherry trees bloom along a 3km long promenade

This promenade was developed on part of the former site of the former Japan National Railways Nichichu Line, which was closed in 1984 (Showa 59). From the promenade entrance, about a five-minute walk from Kitakata Station, the approximately three-kilometer section is the "Weeping Cherry Blossom Walkway," with about 1,000 weeping cherry trees planted, and is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture. The sight of the pink weeping cherry blossoms blooming in a straight line and swaying in the breeze is a sight you won't want to miss. Along the way, there is also an exhibition of a steam locomotive that was in operation at the time the line was closed, and many cherry blossom viewers take commemorative photos here.

[Blooming season] Mid to late April
[Best time to see] Mid to late April
[Type of cherry blossoms] Weeping cherry, etc.

Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Tree Line

• http://www.kitakata-kanko.jp/category/detail.php?id=104
• Fukushima Prefecture Kitakata City, Oshikiri Higashi 2-chome and other areas MAP
• Approximately 5 minutes walk from JR Kitakata Station
• 0241-24-5200（喜多方観光物産協会）
• Free (temporary Parking available only during flowering season)

4Sakura Pass, Kitashiobara Village

There are about 3,000 trees in all. A spectacular view filled with cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see.

In 2001, to celebrate the birth of Princess Aiko, 2,001 Ooyamazakura trees were planted on an owner-only basis the following year. Since then, more have been planted, and the number of trees has now grown to over 3,000.
As soon as you step into the planting area, you'll be surrounded by Ooyamazakura, a cherry tree with a distinctive deep pink color. If you walk a little way through the cherry blossoms from the adjacent Parking, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms competing with the snow-capped Iide mountain range in the distance. If you go further to the back, you'll come to a hill overlooking the planting area of Sakura Pass, where you can see Ooyamazakura flowers blooming in profusion all over the slope, making it a recommended viewing spot.
Because of the high altitude, the best time to see the flowers is usually around Golden Week, which is later than on the plains, meaning you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing at a different time of year.

[Blooming season] Late April to early May
[Best time to see] Early April to early May
[Type of cherry blossom] Ooyamazakura

Sakura Pass, Kitashiobara Village

• https://www.tif.ne.jp/jp/spot.html?spot=6522
• Fukushima Prefecture Yama District Kitashiobara Village Oaza Oshio Sakuratoge MAP
• Approximately 40 minutes by car from JR Inawashiro Station
• Take the bus from JR Inawashiro Station and get off at "Lavispa Urabandai"
• 0241-32-2511（北塩原村商工観光課）
• free

5Kannonji River Sakura Tree Line

Be enchanted by the nostalgic scenery. Don't miss the cherry blossoms lit up in seven colors.

Kannonji River flows just north of Kawageta Station near Lake Inawashiro. In spring, about 200 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, bloom for about 1 km from the "Kannonji Temple" along the river. The Kannonji River, with its gently flowing water, is attractive for its rustic scenery reminiscent of the world of the children's song "Spring Stream." Why not spend some time as you like, such as eating your lunch on the bank, while admiring the nostalgic scenery and cherry blossoms that remain in the hearts of Japanese people?

[Blooming season] Late April to early May
[Best time to see] Early May
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, weeping cherry, Edohigan, and wild cherry

Kannonji River Sakura Tree Line

• https://www.bandaisan.or.jp/sight/shin-hakkei01/
• Fukushima Prefecture Yama District Inawashiro Town Kawageta MAP
• Approximately 1 minute walk from JR Kawageta Station
• free
• 0242-62-2048（猪苗代観光協会）
• free

6Inawashiro Town-run Bandaisan Ranch

It also appears in the title sequence of the historical drama. A row of cherry blossom trees stretching out in the middle of a green field.

This town-run ranch spreads out on the hillside of the Bandai Plateau. On the 1.4km public road that runs east to west on the premises, and on the 300m public road that runs north from its eastern starting point, about 200 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in spring, and are affectionately known as the "Makiba Sakura Road." The ranch was used as the filming location for the title sequence of the 2013 NHK Taiga drama "Yae no Sakura," and the rows of trees on the premises have become a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that attracts tourists from outside the prefecture.
Sakura Road stretches north, heading uphill towards Mount Bandai. On a clear day, you can see the cherry blossoms paired with the snow-capped mountain to the north, and if you look south you can look down on Lake Inawashiro with the cherry blossoms in your sight.

[Blooming season] Late April to early May
[Best time to see] Early May
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Takato-kohigan

Inawashiro Town-run Bandaisan Ranch

• https://www.inawashiro.or.jp/institution/bokujo/sakuranamiki/
• Fukushima Prefecture Yama District Inawashiro Town Nagata Wataba MAP
• Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Inawashiro Station
• free
• 0242-72-0212（猪苗代町振興公社）
• free