Aomori's proud cherry blossom viewing spot for the year 2025! Japan's Three Greatest Nighttime Cherry Blossoms and Spectacular Flower Rafts [Hirosaki Sakura Festival].

  • Aomori
  • Sightseeing
Cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park, said to be one of the three best nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.
The Hirosaki Sakura Festival will be held from Friday, April 18 to Monday, May 5, 2025. The Hirosaki Sakura Festival has been held more than 100 times at Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle Ruins) in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and is regarded as the best cherry blossom festival in Japan, with approximately 2 million people, both domestic and international, enjoying viewing the blossoms every year. 2,600 cherry trees of 52 species will be in full bloom.

Characteristics of Cherry Blossoms in Hirosaki Park

As the cherry blossom front moves northward, Hirosaki's cherry trees come into full bloom around the end of April. The trees are managed according to the "Hirosaki method," which is based on the pruning method used for apples, a representative fruit of Aomori (branches are extended horizontally to produce high-quality fruit), and someiyoshino trees, which are said to last 60 years, are over 100 years old in Hirosaki Park. The blossoms are characterized by the multiple blooms from a single flower bud, and by their fluffy and powerful appearance.
Cherry blossoms in full bloom

History of Hirosaki Sakura Festival

Cherry trees were first planted at Hirosaki Castle in 1715. It is said that a warrior of the Hirosaki Clan brought back 25 kasumizakura cherry trees from Kyoto. In the Meiji period (1868-1912), more than 2,000 Someiyoshino were planted in the castle in a short period of about 20 years, and in 1895 the ruins of Hirosaki Castle were opened to the public as a park.
The planting of Someiyoshino continued, and in 1918, the "Kanzakura-kai" (cherry blossom viewing party) was started. In 1961, the name was changed from "Kanzakura-kai" to "Hirosaki Sakura Festival," and today it is a representative festival of Hirosaki that impresses many people.
Hirosaki Park, where many of the cherry trees are over 100 years old

How to enjoy the Hirosaki Sakura Festival

The Hirosaki Sakura Festival in 2025 will be held from April 18 (Friday) to May 5 (Monday, national holiday), 2025, but the period may be changed depending on the blooming of the cherry trees. The blooming forecast for the Hirosaki Park cherry blossoms is announced on the official website, and the first blooming forecast for 2025 is scheduled to be announced by the City Greenery Division in late March.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy the Hirosaki Sakura Festival, which usually attracts 2 million visitors every year, by time of day!

In the morning

In the morning, Hirosaki Park is less crowded, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at your own pace. The time after sunrise, also known as the "magic hour," creates a magical world. It is also a good time to take a walk before breakfast at the hotel.
Viewing cherry blossoms in the morning when the fresh air is pleasant

In the daytime...

During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, the park is lined with about 200 stalls, and the delicious smell of the cherry blossoms adds to the cherry blossom viewing mood. Why not enjoy the Hirosaki Sakura Festival by stimulating your nose, mouth, eyes, and other senses?
Inside the park where you can enjoy various types of cherry trees (photo: taken by an employee)

At night...

During the Hirosaki Sakura Festival, the entire park will be specially illuminated at night. Visitors can admire Hirosaki Park at night and enjoy a different scene than during the daytime. The illuminated areas include the area near the Sugi-no-ohashi Bridge, the Ninomaru Oedare, the longest Yoshino cherry tree in Hirosaki Park, the west moat, and the Neputa-e no Andon (lotus pond, etc.). Please enjoy the cherry blossoms of Hirosaki Park, said to be one of the three best nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan!
Special nighttime lighting during the Hirosaki Sakura Festival (photo taken by an employee)

Don't miss the popular flower rafts along the outer moat of Hirosaki Park!

The flower rafts along the outer moat of Hirosaki Park are the specialty of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival. The sight of the moat covered with petals of cherry blossoms like a carpet of cherry blossoms is truly spectacular. The best time to view the flower rafts is usually after the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, so please check the official website for information on the blooming of the cherry blossoms.
The outer moat covered with petals of cherry blossoms

Information on the Hirosaki Sakura Festival

Admission fee is required for admission to the park.
- Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and Kitanokaku: 9:00 - 21:00 (during the festival period)
*The hours may change to 9:00 - 17:00 depending on blooming conditions.
- Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: 9:00 - 18:00 (April 18 - May 5)
*Admission tickets for the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden are available until 17:30. Until 17:30

●Entrance Fees (*Please check the official website for details)
[Single ticket]
One-day ticket for Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and Kitanokaku / One-day ticket for Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden
Adults (high school students and older) 320 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 100 yen
[Hirosaki Castle Full-year ticket]
Annual ticket for Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and Kitanokaku
Adults (high school students and older) 1,040 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 310 yen
[Common ticket]
One-day ticket for Hirosaki Castle Honmaru/Kitanokaku, Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden and Fujita Memorial Garden
Adults (high school students and older) 520 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 160 yen
[Common annual ticket]
Common annual ticket for Hirosaki Castle Honmaru/Kitanokaku, Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden and Fujita Memorial Garden
Adults (high school students and older) 2,090 yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students) 620 yen

* The following is last year's information; please wait for the announcement on the official website for information in 2025.
●Light-up time
Sunset - 22:00
●Opening of stalls and stores
9:00 - 21:00
●Various other events
For more information (Hirosaki Tourism & Convention Association)

2025 will be the last year that you can see Sakura, Hirosaki Castle Keep, and Mt. Iwaki at the same time

How was the introduction of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival? We hope you have been inspired to see the spectacular spring-only view created by the cherry blossoms in full bloom. With the completion of the stone wall repair work in Hirosaki Park, work will begin in 2025 to return the castle keep to its original location, and the temporary observation deck in the castle's Honmaru area will be removed. Please be sure to visit the Hirosaki Sakura Festival this spring!
The main gate viewed from the temporary observation deck (photo: taken by an employee)

Spots in Hirosaki to enjoy together

Hirosaki Tourism & Convention Association

Take your favorite train and lodging combination for a budget-friendly trip!

You can create your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and accommodations freely and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! We also offer one-day trip plans!

Click here for details

For train + lodging "Aomori Area" reservations, please visit [ JR East View Dynamic Rail Package ]
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