Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival弘前さくらまつり

A spring festival at Hirosaki Park, where cherry trees of more than fifty varieties bloom against the moats and stone walls of Hirosaki Castle; it began as the "Kan'ōkai" cherry-viewing gathering of 1918.

In spring, Hirosaki Park is filled with cherry blossoms — chiefly Somei Yoshino, together with weeping and double-flowered varieties — framing the moats and castle grounds. Petals carpet the outer moat as hanaikada (flower rafts), the western moat becomes a tunnel of blossom, and illuminations extend the view into the night.

According to the Hirosaki Park official site, the park's cherries began in 1715, when a retainer of the Hirosaki domain brought back 25 trees, including kasumizakura, from Arashiyama in Kyoto. In 1882 Kikuchi Tatee planted 1,000 Somei Yoshino, and planting continued in the years that followed. The first "Kan'ōkai" cherry-viewing festival was held in 1918, and in 1961 it was renamed the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival.

Source: 弘前公園（弘前市）(external site, opens in a new tab)

The cherries of the castle grounds were planted and replanted by people from the domain era into the modern period. The festival is jointly organised by the city and local commerce and tourism bodies, and continues as a place where the castle town shares the arrival of spring.

1. 01

   Flower rafts on the outer moat

   Fallen petals blanketing the surface of the moat.

2. 02

   The cherry tunnel of the western moat

   Layers of blossom arching over the path along the western moat.

3. 03

   Evening illumination

   The blossoms are illuminated after sunset during the festival.

• Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival【東北・青森】弘前さくらまつり2026

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The festival period may be adjusted to the bloom (in 2026 the opening was brought forward for early flowering). The Honmaru and Kita-no-kuruwa areas require an admission fee. Check official information for current dates, fees and illumination hours.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — hirosakipark.jp(external site, opens in a new tab)

• Do not break branches, touch the trunks or step on the roots.
• The castle grounds are a National Historic Site; do not climb the stone walls.
• Take your rubbish home or use the designated bins.

1. 1.【公式】弘前さくらまつり｜弘前市観光情報サイト(external site, opens in a new tab)公益社団法人弘前観光コンベンション協会 · Accessed 2026-09-26
2. 2.弘前さくらまつりについて(external site, opens in a new tab)弘前公園（弘前市） · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.弘前さくらまつり（観桜会）の歴史(external site, opens in a new tab)弘前公園（弘前市） · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.Hirosaki Castle - Wikipedia(external site, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Accessed 2026-09-26