About 400 weeping cherries and an avenue of Somei-yoshino about 2 km long color the streets of Kakunodate, where old samurai residences remain. You can walk to see both the weeping cherries hanging over the samurai district street and the avenue of blossoms along the river.
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto OnsenWeather and what to wear in Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen →Full bloom can shift by about two weeks from year to year. Check Semboku City’s “Akita Hana Kiko” for the latest bloom conditions
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
The weeping cherries along Bukeyashiki-dori (the samurai district street) are a National Natural Monument and are said to have been planted from around 1656 (Meireki 2). The Somei-yoshino avenue stretching about 2 km along the Hinokinai River embankment is a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The weeping cherries often reach full bloom a little earlier, with the Somei-yoshino a few days later, and there is a night illumination during the cherry blossom festival.
About 400 weeping cherries, a National Natural Monument
An avenue of Somei-yoshino about 2 km long, a National Place of Scenic Beauty
Lit from 17:30 to around 24:00 in 2026
PR8.2Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
FebruaryTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)
2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)
AugustTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
Every year August 3–6 (night kanto on all 4 days; daytime kanto = Myogi Taikai skills competition on the 4th–6th)
ZooTohoku ・ Akita City, Akita
A zoo in Omoriyama Park run by Akita City. As of August 2026, it keeps 524 animals of 88 species. Admission is free for high school students and younger, and with the Anipa amusement park and large play equipment on site, families can spend a whole day here.
AquariumTohoku ・ Oga, Akita
An aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast of the Oga Peninsula. It has a large tank recreating the Oga sea, exhibits of polar bears, seals, penguins, and more, and a museum devoted to hatahata (sandfish), an Akita specialty. From Akita Station, take the JR Oga Line to Oga Station (about 1 hour), then a bus or shared taxi.
CastleTohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
RiversideTohoku ・ Ogawara, Miyagi
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
Famous single tree
Famous single treeTohoku ・ Morioka & Koiwai
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
CastleTohoku ・ Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
Park
Avenue & old townTohoku ・ Towada
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Early May
ParkPeak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Bloom conditions and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06
