Local Guide
[2025 Edition] 5 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Sendai. Introducing the best time to see them and event information.

As April approaches, signs of spring begin to appear in Sendai, the city of trees. The city has many famous cherry blossom spots, including parks and temples and shrines, so one of the pleasures of traveling during this season is to explore these places while enjoying cherry blossom viewing. If you travel a little further, you can also visit Shibata-machi and Ogawara-machi, where you will encounter a beautiful, serene view of Mount Zao and the Shiraishi River, decorated with cherry blossoms. Here are five cherry blossom spots in and around Sendai city.

A famous cherry blossom spot in Sendai that has been loved since the Meiji era

During the cherry blossom season, many food stalls are set up in the park, attracting many visitors every day.
During the cherry blossom season, many food stalls are set up in the park, attracting many visitors every day.

This historic park will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025. Formerly known as "Sakuragaoka Park," it is one of Sendai's top cherry blossom viewing spots. Approximately 200 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, Satozakura, and Edo Higan, are planted within the park, and many of them are tall and large, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene when in full bloom. Another highlight is the "Tohoku Hometown Sakura Avenue," where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms of the six Tohoku prefectures.
The park is also home to Gengo Teahouse, which was founded in 1868, where you can enjoy Sendai's specialty zunda mochi, as well as sweet bean mochi and sesame mochi. Every year during cherry blossom season, a cherry blossom viewing area is set up, with food and drink booths and food stalls in the main square and food trucks lined up in the station square, so you'll have no shortage of delicious things to eat. After the cherry blossoms bloom, they are lit up every day from sunset to 10pm, so you can also enjoy a night stroll through the cherry blossoms.

[Best time to see] Mid-April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Satozakura, Yamazakura, Edohigan, etc.

▼Sakuraoka cherry blossom viewing at Nishi Park
Date and Time:According to the cherry blossom season (usually around early April)
Note: Check social media for details
URL:https://x.com/sendai_ohanami

Nishi Park
  • URLhttp://www.sendai-ohanami.com/
  • 住所1-3 Sakuragaoka Park, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスA short walk from Omachi Nishikoen Station on the subway
  • 営業時間Open all day
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL022-723-5780（西公園花見協賛会事務局 平日11:00〜17:00）
  • 駐車場There is a paid Parking nearby. *During the cherry blossom viewing period, driving into the park is prohibited.

A treasure trove of gorgeous weeping cherry blossoms that seem to fall like rain

The most common variety in the garden is the Yaebenishidarue, known for its gorgeous pink flowers.
The most common variety in the garden is the Yaebenishidarue, known for its gorgeous pink flowers.

This beautiful park has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Urban Parks in Japan" and as a nationally designated scenic spot, "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." It also has a long history as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, said to have begun when the fourth lord of the Sendai domain, Date Tsunamura, ordered weeping cherry trees from Kyoto and planted them. There are around 350 cherry trees in the park, but the biggest feature is the variety. There are 19 varieties, including the Yaebenishidaretsu, weeping cherry, Kanzan, Somei Yoshino, Gyoikou, and Edo Higan, so not only can you enjoy the different expressions of each variety, but you can also enjoy cherry blossom viewing over a long period of time.
During the annual cherry blossom festival, many outdoor stalls and food trucks are set up. The area is lit up at night, so it is crowded with people all day long. In addition, on weekends, events such as the traditional Sendai performing art "Sendai Sparrow Dance" and cherry blossom viewing live shows are held.

[Best time to see] Late March to late April
[Types of cherry blossoms] 19 varieties including Yaebenishidare, Somei-yoshino, Ichiyou, Gyoiko, Benishidare, Yaezakura, Kirin, and Shogetsu.

▼ Cherry Blossom Festival
Date and time: Tsutsumioka Park Square March 27th (Thursday) - April 20th (Sunday), 2025
South Entrance of Tsutsumioka Park Thursday, March 27, 2025 - Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Sendai Sparrow Dance Sunday, April 6th and Sunday, April 13th, 2025
Cherry Blossom Viewing Live: April 5th (Sat), 6th (Sun), 12th (Sat), 13th (Sun), 2025

Provided by: Sendai Tourism and International Association
Provided by: Sendai Tourism and International Association
Tsutsumioka Park
  • URLhttps://www.ohanami-sendai.net/
  • 住所Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Miyagino Ward, Gorin 1-chome MAP
  • アクセスAbout 5 minutes walk from JR Tsutsujigaoka Station
  • 営業時間Open all day
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL022-299-2361（開花状況の問い合わせ）
  • 駐車場*Closed from Thursday, March 27th to Sunday, April 20th, 2025

A luxurious moment admiring cherry blossoms at a shrine full of historical romance

A stone torii gate designated as an important cultural property of Japan. In the background you can see the red Goshinbashi Bridge and a 100-year-old cherry tree.
A stone torii gate designated as an important cultural property of Japan. In the background you can see the red Goshinbashi Bridge and a 100-year-old cherry tree.

This ancient shrine was founded in 1654 (Shoo 3) by Date Tadamune, the second feudal lord of the Sendai domain. The deity worshipped is Tokugawa Ieyasu, and it was built on a site with a connection to the area, where Ieyasu stopped off after being guided by Date Masamune. There are about 80 cherry trees within the grounds, including 100-year-old old cherry trees, as well as somei-yoshino trees along the approach, weeping cherry trees on the west side of the worship hall, and wild cherry trees on the north side, all in full bloom, creating a truly elegant sight.
There are fewer visitors in the mornings and evenings, so you can enjoy the solemn atmosphere of the historic space and cherry blossoms in silence to your heart's content. The Zuishinmon Gate at the top of the stairs is a national important cultural property, and is a must-see in itself, but it is also famous as a place from which you can get a panoramic view of the cherry blossoms along the approach to the shrine and the cityscape of Sendai.The Spring Festival, held every April, features the Toshogu Kagura dance and children's mikoshi, both registered tangible cultural properties of Sendai city, and is a huge success.

[Best time to see] Early to late April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yamazakura, Shidarezakura

▼Toshogu Shrine Spring Festival
Date and time: April 19th (Sat) and 20th (Sun), 2025
Venue: Sendai Toshogu Shrine

Sendai Toshogu Shrine
  • URLhttp://s-toshogu.jp/
  • 住所1-6-1 Toshogu Shrine, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスA short walk from JR Toshogu Station
  • 営業時間You can visit the shrine any time of the day. However, the shrine building closes at 17:00. * Charms and stamps are available from 9:00 to 16:30, and prayers are available from 9:00 to 16:00.
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL022-234-3247
  • 駐車場Free (Available only from 8:30 to 17:00)

The best cherry blossom viewing spot in Tohoku, where 1,200 cherry trees decorate the spectacular scenery

The rows of cherry trees of Hitome Senbonzakura dye the banks of the Shiroishi River pink. In the background you can see Tateyama, which contains Funaoka Castle Ruins Park.
The rows of cherry trees of Hitome Senbonzakura dye the banks of the Shiroishi River pink. In the background you can see Tateyama, which contains Funaoka Castle Ruins Park.

About 30 minutes by train from Sendai Station, the banks of the Shiroishi River stretch for about 12km from Funaoka in Shibata Town to Kanagase in the neighboring town of Ogawara Town, and are lined with Yoshino cherry trees planted in the Taisho era. There are a total of about 1,200 of them. The sight of the cherry trees in full bloom spreading into the distance like a pale pink haze has earned the area the nickname "One Thousand Cherry Trees at a Glance." The pedestrian-only "Sakura Footbridge" over the Shiroishi River is the best spot to take in both the One Thousand Cherry Trees at a Glance and Funaoka Castle Ruins Park. If you walk downstream for about 15 minutes from here, you can see a giant Yoshino cherry tree that is 13.7m tall and has a trunk circumference of 4.85m. On clear mornings, you can also see the snow-capped Zao mountain range, and there are countless photo opportunities.
The Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival and the Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival are held every year in early April, with stalls set up at each venue and the cherry blossoms lit up at night.

[Best time to see] Early April to mid-April
[Type of cherry blossom] Somei Yoshino

▼2025 Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival
Date and time: April 1st (Tuesday) to April 14th (Monday), 2025
Venues: Shiraishi River Bank Hitome Senbonzakura, Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, Sun Village, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Funaoka Garrison

▼Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival 2025
Date and time: April 1st (Tuesday) to April 13th (Sunday), 2025
Venue: Shiroishigawa Park

Shiraishi River Bank Hitome Senbonzakura
  • URLhttps://www.skbk.or.jp/sakura/
  • 住所Miyagi Prefecture Shibata Town and Ogawara Town MAP
  • アクセスA short walk from JR Funaoka Station
  • 営業時間Open all day *During the Cherry Blossom Festival, there are areas where general vehicle access is restricted depending on the time of day.
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0224-55-2123（柴田町商工観光課）
  • 駐車場free
  • メモParking is charged during the Cherry Blossom Festival. 1,000 yen for general vehicles. In addition, in Shibata Town, Parking at the town hall, elementary school, and gymnasium are open for free only on weekends. It is recommended to use the JR line during the Cherry Blossom Festival, as traffic jams will occur.

A great spot to see the spring town below

In addition to cherry blossoms, various other flowers are in full bloom in April. The view of the "Hitome Senbonzakura" from the summit is also beautiful.
In addition to cherry blossoms, various other flowers are in full bloom in April. The view of the "Hitome Senbonzakura" from the summit is also beautiful.

This is a general park located in Tateyama, about 135 meters above sea level. In addition to over 1,000 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, there are about 16 types of cherry trees that have been transplanted from all over the country, and in April the entire mountain is dyed in various shades of pink.It is close to Hitome Senbonzakura and has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" along with Senbonzakura, so we recommend visiting both places with plenty of time. At the "Sakura no Sato Tourist Product Center" located halfway up the mountain, you can purchase bento lunches and rice dumplings for viewing cherry blossoms. The summit and observation deck offer a spectacular view of the snow-capped Zao mountain range, Shiroishi River, Hitome Senbonzakura, and the flowers in the park, spreading out below you, so you will never tire of seeing them.
At the Shibata Sakura Festival in April, stage events are held at Sannomaru Square, and outdoor stalls are set up. The area is also lit up at night, so you can enjoy both the cherry blossoms and the night view of the town from the summit square.

[Best time to see] Early April to mid-April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Approximately 16 types, including Kawazuzakura, Somei-Yoshino, Yamazakura, and Shidarezakura

▼2025 Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival
Date and time: April 1st (Tuesday) to April 14th (Monday), 2025
Venues: Shiraishi River Bank Hitome Senbonzakura, Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, Sun Village, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Funaoka Garrison

Funaoka Castle Ruins Park
  • URLhttps://www.skbk.or.jp/sakura/
  • 住所Shibata Town, Miyagi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 15 minutes walk from JR Funaoka Station
  • 営業時間Open all day *During the Cherry Blossom Festival, there are areas where general vehicle access is restricted depending on the time of day.
  • 定休日Open daily
  • 入場料free
  • TEL0224-55-2123（柴田町商工観光課）
  • 駐車場free
  • メモParking is charged during the Cherry Blossom Festival. 1,000 yen for general vehicles. In addition, the Parking of the town hall, elementary school, and gymnasium in Shibata Town are open for free only on Saturdays and Sundays. It is recommended to use the JR line during the Cherry Blossom Festival as traffic jams will occur.

MAP

<Sendai City>
<Shibata Town and Ogawara Town>
Nearby Hoshino Resorts Property
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