2026 Morioka Cherry Blossom Festival: Spring in Iwate, Japan

  • Iwate
  • Sightseeing
Morioka Castle Ruins Park
The Morioka Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to be held at Morioka Castle Ruins Park and Takamatsu Park (Takamatsu no Ike) from April 10 (Fri.) to 26 (Sun.), 2026, when the Morioka cherry blossoms will be at their best. In addition to setting up paper lanterns in the parks, the cherry blossoms will be lit up so that visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

Here are the attractions of each venue!

Morioka Castle Ruins Park, harmony of stone walls and cherry blossoms

About a 20-minute walk from Morioka Station. Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park), located in the center of the city, is the site of the 200,000-koku castle of the Morioka Domain's Nanbu clan. Since the end of the Meiji period (1868-1912), the park has been known to citizens as Iwate Park, and is especially crowded day and night during the cherry blossom season. The harmony of the moss-covered stone walls and cherry blossoms gives the atmosphere of a castle town, and the Nakatsu River flowing in front and the red brick building of the Iwate Bank serve as a background, turning the center of the city a light pink color. Please enjoy viewing cherry blossoms while feeling the nostalgic atmosphere.
Morioka Castle Ruins Park

Morioka Castle Ruins Park, where cherry blossoms and the pond are in harmony.

Takamatsu Pond is a dike that was built in the 1660s for flood control in Morioka. There were four such levees called "Ueda no Tsutsumi," one of which is the present Takamatsu Pond. The pond is a popular spot for cherry blossoms, and is also a recreational spot for citizens during all four seasons, including cherry blossom season, boating in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and swans in winter. Currently, approximately 1,200 cherry trees of several varieties are planted around the pond. The promenade (about 1.4 km) that circles around Takamatsu Pond can be completed in about 20 minutes even if you walk slowly, so please enjoy strolling while viewing the cherry blossoms.
Takamatsu Park (Takamatsu no Ike) Cherry blossoms at night

Cherry blossom spots easily accessible from Morioka Station!

In this issue, we have introduced cherry blossom viewing spots that are only a 20-minute walk or bus ride from Morioka Station.
Come and enjoy Morioka's cityscape while strolling through the cherry blossoms!

Please note that the period of the event may change depending on the blooming of the cherry trees, weather, etc., so please check in advance before coming.
Image courtesy of Morioka City Hall, Tourism Division, Interaction Promotion Department
Takamatsu Park (Takamatsu Pond)

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