The 2025 version! In spring, go to Akita [Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival] with beautiful cherry blossoms and samurai residences!

  • Akita
  • Sightseeing
Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival will be held again in 2025.
Last year, more than 860,000 people visited the festival and were enchanted by the sigh-inducing beauty of the cherry blossoms.
Kakunodate is known as one of the three best cherry blossom viewing spots in Michinoku. 162 weeping cherry trees, designated as a national natural monument, and someiyoshino cherry trees along the 2 km stretch of the Hinokinai River bank turn pink during this season.

Kakunodate is also known for its samurai residences! The blackboard walls of the Buke Yashiki Dori and the cherry blossoms reflected on the walls are a popular sight. When the cherry blossoms are at their best, the Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Kakunodate.

In this issue of JR East Travel Service Center Akita staff recommends cherry blossom viewing spots along Buke Yashiki Dori and Hinai River bank.

Michinoku's Little Kyoto "Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street

Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Dori is a castle town that flourished in the Edo period and has been selected as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" by the government. In a radius of about 2 km, many old buildings, including samurai residences, still exist, giving the town an atmospheric atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time. This is the reason why Kakunodate is called "Michinoku's Little Kyoto.

Some of the samurai residences are still used as residences, and some buildings can actually be visited.
In front of Kakunodate Kabazaiku Heritage Museum
Ishiguro House

Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) in Kakunodate

The blackboard walls of the samurai residences contrast beautifully with the pink of the cherry blossoms in Kakunodate's weeping cherry trees. Of the approximately 400 weeping cherry trees in the entire town, 162 are designated as national natural monuments. It is a popular hanami spot in Akita Prefecture, attracting many visitors during the cherry blossom viewing season.
Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), a national natural treasure
In front of the Kakunodate Kabazaiku Handicraft Museum, a beautiful spot with a light pink color.

History

Kakunodate and weeping cherry trees have a long history, dating back about 400 years. It is said that the weeping cherry trees in Kakunodate originated from three cherry tree saplings brought by Yoshiaki Satake, the second in charge of Kakunodate of the Satake Kita family, when his wife came from Kyoto on a visit to Kakunodate. These three saplings became the parent trees, and the rows of cherry trees are said to be magnificent today.
Weeping cherry trees at their best

Cherry blossoms illuminated at night

During the Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry trees are illuminated at night. The night view of the samurai residences and weeping cherry trees is very fantastic. Please stay in Kakunodate and enjoy a night stroll.
Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry tree) glowing in the dark
Various contrasts are eye-catching

Tunnel of Someiyoshino cherry trees "Cherry trees along the Hinokinai River bank

Kakunodate Hinokinai River Tsutsumi in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, together with Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Dori, is one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. About 400 Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted along the bank of the Hinokinai River, which flows near the Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Dori, for a distance of 2 km. The riverbank is like a tunnel of cherry blossoms, and after sightseeing along the Buke Yashiki Dori, it is a good idea to relax and enjoy cherry blossom viewing along this riverbank.
Cherry trees along the Hinokinai River bank
Tunnel of cherry blossoms

Hinai River bank illuminated

When the sun sets and night falls, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night. The nighttime cherry blossoms are a different sight from those seen during the daytime, and the sight of 400 cherry trees all lit up at the same time is breathtaking!
It is not so cold just after sunset, but as night falls, the temperature drops and the wind blowing on the river becomes chilly. The temperature drops as night falls, and the wind blowing on the river becomes cold and chilly.
Night Cherry Trees along the Hinokinai River bank

Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule & Past Blooming Information

Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule】
April 15 (Tuesday) to May 5 (Monday, national holiday), 2025
Pre-opening of the festival will be held depending on the blooming of cherry trees.
(For details, please check the Kakunodate Tourist Association website.



■2024
Buds: 4/7, Bloom: 4/12, Full bloom: 4/14, Beginning of falling: 4/17
■2023
Buds: 4/1, Bloom: 4/5, Full bloom: 4/10, Beginning of falling: 4/13
■2022
Buds: 4/13, Bloom: 4/18, Full bloom: 4/22 Beginning of falling: 4/25
■2021
Buds: 4/7, Blooming: 4/12, Full bloom: 4/16, Beginning of falling: 4/22

Please check the latest information before visiting as the conditions change depending on weather and temperature.
Kakunodate & Tazawako Tourist Association HP is here

Cherry blossom viewing in Kakunodate this spring

We have introduced Kakunodate's cherry blossom viewing spots to enjoy spring in Akita. The view of samurai residences and weeping cherry trees is breathtaking. Why not visit Kakunodate this spring?

Please note that the "Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival" is subject to change depending on the blooming conditions.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.

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