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Event Guide · Tohoku

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

April–MayHirosaki2027: Apr 16 (Fri) – May 5 (Wed, holiday), 20 days
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Overview

Overview

A spring festival held to coincide with the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park, centered on Hirosaki Castle. About 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties bloom, and some 2 million people visit every year from Japan and abroad. The park’s cherry trees are said to have begun in 1715, when a samurai of the Tsugaru domain brought 25 cherry saplings from Kyoto and planted them.

When
Usually late April to early May (timed to the cherry blossom season; April 10 – May 5 in 2026)
Confirmed dates: 2027: Apr 16 (Fri) – May 5 (Wed, holiday), 20 days
Venue
Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle) (Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)
Official website
https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_spring_sakura
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

Highlights include hana-ikada (“petal rafts”), where fallen petals cover the surface of the outer moat; the cherry blossom tunnel stretching about 300 m along the West Moat; and the illuminated night blossoms paired with Hirosaki Castle. A special feature of Hirosaki Park’s cherry trees is that even old trees produce 4–5 flowers from a single bud.

Times

Times

Evening cherry blossom light-upSunset–22:00

Official information for 2026. Extended to 23:00 from April 15 to 19

Honmaru & Kita-no-Kuruwa (paid area)9:00–21:00

In 2026, 9:00–21:00 from 4/17 to 30, and 9:00–17:00 from 4/10 to 16 and 5/1 to 5. Adults 320 yen, children 100 yen

Botanical Garden (paid area)9:00–17:00

Tickets sold until 16:30. No entry at night. Adults 320 yen, children 100 yen; combined ticket with Honmaru & Kita-no-Kuruwa adults 520 yen, children 160 yen (2026)

Food stalls9:00–21:00

Official information for 2026. Shorter hours from May 1 to 5

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓During the hana-ikada period, parts of the outer moat banks that are normally closed (three spots from the East Gate to the front of the courthouse) are opened as photo spots (2026 example)
  • ✓Hirosaki Castle’s keep is undergoing hikiya (building relocation) work to move it back to its original base from July 2026, with the return planned for around mid-November 2026. Check the latest official information about visiting the interior
  • ✓For night blossoms, go during the light-up from sunset to 22:00. Nights in mid-April get cold, so bring a jacket
  • ✓Bloom progress varies greatly from year to year, so check the official website for blossom updates before you set out
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Hirosaki Station (JR Ou Line and Konan Railway)About 25 min on foot, or about 15 min by 100-yen loop busTo Hirosaki Park
From major stations
  • Hirosaki Station: Konan Bus Dotemachi Loop 100-yen bus toward City Hall (About 15 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
In 2026, during the festival (4/10–5/5), Konan Bus services between Hirosaki Station and the Hirosaki Park area have a special fare (150 yen cash, 130 yen with an IC card). Until April 29, the Dotemachi Loop bus runs later, with the last departure at 20:00 (every 20 minutes from 18:20 to 20:00)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards can be used on Konan Bus (special festival fare in 2026: 130 yen with an IC card)
Getting back
  • Buses get crowded around the end of the light-up, so if you are not short on time, walking to Hirosaki Station (about 25 min) is an option
  • Bicycles cannot be ridden or brought into the park during the festival
  • If you drive, free temporary parking lots such as those on the Iwaki River banks (15–20 min walk to the park) are also available (2026 example)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Days when full bloom falls on a weekend, evenings and nights during the light-up, and Golden Week
Quieter times
Weekday mornings
Time needed
Allow about 2–3 hours for a loop around the park
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
According to JMA normals, Hirosaki has a high of 14.3°C and low of 3.2°C in April, and a high of 20.3°C and low of 8.9°C in May. April nights can be almost as cold as winter
What to wear
Even if spring clothes are fine for walking in the daytime, you will need a thick jacket and scarf for evening blossom viewing. You’ll walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
The festival period is set to match the blossoms. Check official announcements for changes to events in rain
Where to check for cancellations
Hirosaki City tourism information site (https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/)
☁ Tohoku weather in April →☁ Tohoku weather in May →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Bicycles cannot be ridden or brought in during the festival
  • !Visitors are officially asked to report drones to nearby staff. Do not fly them without permission
  • !Do not break cherry branches or trample the ground around the roots
  • !Take your trash home or sort it into the designated places
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets in the park get crowded at certain times, so go early
Lockers & luggage
Leave large luggage at Hirosaki Station or your hotel before heading to the park
Paying at food stalls
Some stalls are cash only, so bring cash as well
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs around Hirosaki Station and in the city center
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The park has slopes, gravel paths and crowded spots, so allow extra time with a wheelchair or stroller
Food

Food

Local favorites
Street-stall foodTsugaru apple sweetsTsugaru soba
Vegetarian & halal
Food stalls rarely label vegetarian or halal options, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Accommodation in Hirosaki gets busy during full bloom and Golden Week, so book early. You can also stay in Aomori City or elsewhere and commute by train

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Hirosaki Cherry Blossom FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Tohoku

February

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Tohoku ・ 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)

August

Akita Kanto Festival

Tohoku ・ 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)

August

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Tohoku ・ Aomori & Hakkoda

Every year August 2–7 (eve festival on August 1; night parades August 2–6; daytime parade, evening sea parade and Aomori Fireworks Festival on the 7th)

August

Sendai Tanabata Festival

Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima

Every year August 6–8 (Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival as the eve event on August 5)

December–February

Zao 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

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

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