AugustCherry Blossoms · Tohoku
Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins)
Yamagata, Zao & YamaderaCastle🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr✦ Night sakura
Overview
Overview
A park on the ruins of Yamagata Castle and Yamagata City’s best-known hanami spot, with about 1,500 cherry trees. It is conveniently within walking distance of JR Yamagata Station and usually peaks from early to mid-April.
- Address
- 1-7 Kajomachi, Yamagata, Yamagata
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Official website
- https://yamagatakanko.com/attractions/detail_2304.html
Peak Time
When to See the Blossoms
Typical peakUsually early to mid-April
March
April
May
Bloom dates shift with each year’s temperatures. Check Yamagata City or Yamagata Prefecture tourism information for the latest bloom conditions
Peak times are typical guides. Blooming and full bloom shift with each year’s temperatures.
Highlights
Highlights
About 1,500 cherry trees color the stone walls and moats of the Yamagata Castle ruins, a National Historic Site selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles. The “Kajo Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival,” held at peak bloom, features illuminations, and the night sakura reflected on the moat are magical.
📷 Best views
Along the moat
Stone walls and cherry blossoms reflected in the water, illuminated at night
In the park
Castle ruins with about 1,500 cherry trees
Illumination
Night illumination
- Period
- Usually during the Kajo Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival (Apr 6–13 in 2026)
In 2026: 18:00–21:30 in the park, 18:00–22:00 along the moat
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Being within walking distance of Yamagata Station, it’s an easy hanami spot to visit in spare time on your arrival or departure day
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station / bus stop
- Yamagata Station (JR)About a 10 min walk
- By car & traffic restrictions
- There is a parking lot, but the number of spaces has been reduced, so during the festival use public transportation or nearby paid parking
Crowds
Crowds & best times
- Busiest
- During the Kajo Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival. Yamagata City advises that parking is limited and heavy crowds are expected
Weather
Temperature & what to wear
- Typical temperatures
- April normals in Yamagata: high 16.4°C, low 4.7°C (JMA)
- What to wear & bring
- The city lies in a basin and mornings and evenings get cold, so bring a heavy jacket for night sakura
Rules
Hanami rules & etiquette
- !Heavy crowds are expected during the festival, so Yamagata City asks visitors to use public transportation or nearby paid parking
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Kajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins)PR
PR9.2ホテルメトロポリタン山形
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,503 reviews0.7 km from center
PR9.3ダイワロイネットホテル 山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,937 reviews0.8 km from center
PR9.0リッチモンドホテル山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,638 reviews0.7 km from center
PR8.0山形グランドホテル
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,056 reviews0.9 km from center
PR8.4ホテルルートイン山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda2,028 reviews0.7 km from center
PR8.1山形国際ホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda2,294 reviews1.0 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Events
Events & festivals in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
August
December–FebruaryZao Snow Monsters Light-up
Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
The light-up is usually held on selected days from late December to late February (36 days between December 27 and February 22 in the 2025–2026 season). The best season for the snow monsters is late January to late February
Attractions
Attractions in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
AquariumTsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium (Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui)
Tohoku ・ Tsuruoka, Yamagata
An aquarium in Tsuruoka facing the Sea of Japan, known for its jellyfish exhibits. After a five-month closure, it reopened after renovation on April 1, 2026 under the nickname Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui. It displays about 100 species of jellyfish.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ZooMiyagi Zao Fox Village
Tohoku ・ Shiroishi, Miyagi
A facility in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, where you can see foxes. The foxes roam freely inside, and you walk among them. Admission is free for elementary school students and younger.
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Tohoku
RiversideShiroishi River Hitome Senbon Zakura
Tohoku ・ Ogawara, Miyagi
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
✦ Night sakura
Famous single tree
Famous single treeIshiwarizakura (Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree)
Tohoku ・ Morioka & Koiwai
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
Avenue & old townKakunodate Samurai District and Hinokinai River Embankment
Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
✦ Night sakura
CastleTsurugajo Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle)
Tohoku ・ Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
✦ Night sakura
Park
Avenue & old townTowada Kanchogai-dori Avenue (Koma Kaido)
Tohoku ・ Towada
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Early May
✦ Night sakura
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
