2026 Edition! Visit Akita's [Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival] in spring with beautiful cherry blossoms and samurai residences!

  • Akita
  • Sightseeing
Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival will be held again in 2026.
Last year, more than 810,000 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 view of cherry blossoms reflected on the blackboard walls of the Buke Yashiki Dori has been gaining popularity.

In this issue, we will introduce recommended cherry blossom viewing spots such as Buke Yashiki Dori, Hinai River bank, and "Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival".

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

In Kakunodate, 162 weeping cherry trees out of approximately 400 in the entire town are designated as national natural treasures. It is a popular hanami spot in Akita Prefecture, attracting many visitors during the cherry blossom viewing season.
Weeping cherry tree designated as a national natural monument

History of Kakunodate and cherry blossoms

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 head of the Satake family in Kakunodate, when his wife came from Kyoto on a visit to Kakunodate. These three saplings became the parent trees of what is now a magnificent row of cherry trees.
The weeping cherry tree at its best

Contrast of black and pink

The blackboard walls of the samurai residences are a wonderful contrast of black and pink, making the beauty of Kakunodate's cherry blossoms stand out even more. The pink color varies from light to dark. You can feel both beauty and prettiness. In particular, the area in front of the Kakunodate Kabazaiku Handicraft Museum is recommended as a good spot to take pictures.
Recommended spot "In front of Kakunodate Kabazaiku Heritage Museum
Cherry blossoms with a lovely deep pink color

Cherry blossoms illuminated at night

During the Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night. The night view of 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 best cherry blossom viewing spots, selected as 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 on a fine day, the pink color of the cherry blossoms looks beautiful against the blue sky. After sightseeing along the Buke Yashiki Street, it is a good idea to relax and enjoy cherry blossom viewing along the riverside.
Cherry trees along the Hinokinai River bank
Along the river, perfect for a stroll

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 along the river becomes cold and 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

Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule & Past Blooming Information

Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule]
April 15 (Wed) to May 5 (Tue), 2026 (national holiday)
The festival will be held in advance depending on the blooming of the cherry trees.
(For details, please check the Tazawako/Kakunodate Tourist Association website.)


Information on the past blooming of Someiyoshino cherry trees]
■2025
Blooming: April 20, Full bloom: April 23, Beginning of falling: April 26
■2024
Blooming: April 14, Full bloom: April 16, Beginning of falling: April 19
■2023
Blooming: April 8, Full bloom: April 12, Beginning of falling: April 19

The situation changes depending on weather and temperature. Please check for the latest information.
Click here for the Tazawako/Kakunodate Tourist Association HP

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.
*Photo courtesy of Tazawako/Kakunodate Tourist Association

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