Taking place in the city of Hirosaki in western Aomori Prefecture, this year’s Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival will run from April 20 to May 6.
This annual festival is the biggest in Hirosaki bringing in over 2 million people every year. Visitors will once again to be treated to a visual spectacle of 2,600 cherry blossom trees of 52 different species blooming their beautiful pink flowers in Hirosaki Park.
Various events and activities will take place throughout the festival such as boat rides, a tour carried out by the one of the gardeners, and more.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Celebratory Lantern Parade
The festival will hold a parade on May 3―the date on which the first flower-viewing party event in Hirosaki was first carried out. It will ring in the start of Japan’s new era following Emperor Akihito’s abdication with a lantern parade
Running: May 3 from 10:00am
Where: From Hirosaki Park Otemon Gate to Inner East Gate
Flower-Viewing Party in Traditional Japanese Dress
This flower-viewing party was so popular last year that it is making a return in 2019. Dress up in traditional Japanese clothing and receive a special ticket to enter the Hirosaki Castle botanical gardens for free.
Running: April 20, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Ticket Location: Ninomaru / Shinomaru Information Centre
Hirosaki Park Boat Ride
Enjoy the cherry blossoms from a different angle with a boat ride along the moat.
Running: April 20, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Time: 9:00-17:00 (Last rides at 16:30) *Subject to change depending on weather and number of boarders
Special Cherry Blossom Tour
The park’s gardeners will carry out a tour of the cherry blossoms and provide interesting explanations.
Running: April 30, 2019 & May 2, 2019
Time: From 13:30 (90 minute tour)
No. of People: 40 people per tour (first-come, first-served)
Price: Free
Flower Carpet
During the cherry blossom’s full bloom season thousands of petals will fall into the moat, creating a gorgeous pink carpet on the water surface. This will make for some great photographs.
Information
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Running: April 20, 2019 – May 6, 2019
Location: Hirosaki Park (1 Shimoshiroganechō, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)
Opening Hours
Honmaru/Kita no Kuruwa Area – 7:00-21:00 (9:00-17:00 from April 20 to 22 and May 6)
Botanical Garden – 9:00-18:00
Illuminations – Sunset until 23:00 (subject to change)
*Some locations in the park will charge a fee. This includes the Honmaru/Kita no Kuruwa Area. It costs ¥310 for adults and ¥100 for children.
Website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/web/edit.html?id=cat02_spring_sakura
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