The Kaikoen Garden at Komoro Castle was chosen as one of Japan’s 100 most famous cherry blossom spots. Beginning on April 7, 2018 and stretching to April 30, the garden will host the Komoro Castle Kaikoen Cherry Blossom Festival 2018. This year’s announcements on Japan’s peak cherry blossom times are well underway. The festival will serve as the best time to see the flowers in that area.

Komoro Castle’s Kaikoen Garden is at the heart of tourism in Komoro. The castle itself was also selected as one of Japan’s 100 most famous castles. It has stayed the same for 400 years with its giant gates, stone walls and so on, and its garden allows the opportunity to feel the essence of the Edo Period.

Close to 500 cherry trees decorate the garden, including shidarezakura, higanzakura, the multicoloured, vibrantly red Komoro Yaebenishidare unique to Komoro, and of course the Yoshino Cherry. Every year during the bloom season over 60,000 people visit to observe the flowers.

During the festival, paper lanterns will illuminate the night, and the castle tower at castle keep, as well as the stonewalls and elsewhere will also light up (from sunset until 10pm). Gaze at the gorgeous nighttime cherry blossoms. A matcha service will also take place in line with the festival hosted by suited warriors. It is said to be the only place in Japan that does this.

Cosplaying at the garden is also welcomed where you can enjoy taking photos of people dressed up as anime and game characters with the cherry blossoms in the background. How about using the opportunity to cosplay yourself?

As well as the various events taking place at Kaikoen, there will also be a bus tour that takes you to sightseeing spots around the city, as well as program where you can learn the process of making miso in the Edo Period at a miso warehouse. Free coupons will also be handed out that can be used at 43 participating shops.

Go to see the cherry blossoms at Komoro Castle’s Kaikoen Garden, just an hour and a half from Tokyo!