Cherry blossom along the castle moat at night, Hirosaki ParkHirosaki Park
- Best time
- Around Golden Week, late April to early May
- Getting there
- A bus ride from Hirosaki station
Why it’s in the log
Hirosaki Park surrounds Hirosaki Castle, its baileys once separated by walls and moats, and it is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Japan. The first trees were planted around the grounds in 1903, and there are now about 2,600.
Over a million people come for the cherry blossom festival, usually around the Golden Week holidays at the end of April and start of May — late, because Hirosaki is so far north. If you missed the blossom in Tokyo or Kyoto, this is where to catch it.
Mentioned alongside
Hirosaki
A castle town in northern Honshu, famous for 2,600 cherry trees that bloom around Golden Week.
Japan
The famous stops book out months ahead; the counters that actually feed the neighbourhood mostly don't take reservations at all.
Kyoto
The temples get the crowds; the obanzai kitchens two streets over get the regulars.
Tokyo
Shimokitazawa's back streets hold more good counters than the guidebook districts ever will.
