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Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival 2025: Highlights and Access Tips
Kakunodate, located in Akita, northern Japan, boasts one of the most famous locations for cherry blossom viewing. In this article, we introduce the best viewing times, highlights, and access information for the cherry blossom festival in Kakunodate.
Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kakunodate
Picture courtesy of PAKUTAS
Kakunodate, a former castle town in Akita's Senboku City, is famous for the beauty of its cherry blossoms in spring, attracting many visitors each year.
In Kakunodate, you can enjoy the stunning views of weeping cherry trees near the historic samurai residences and the cherry blossom tunnel along the Hinokinai River.
This article introduces the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Kakunodate, highlights of the spring festival, and access information.
Cherry Blossom Viewing in Hakodate
Best Viewing Time for Cherry Blossom in Kakunodate
Highlights of Cherry Blossoms in Kakunodate
Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival 2025
How to Get to Kakunodate
Best Viewing Time for Cherry Blossom in Kakunodate
Picture courtesy of PAKUTAS
The cherry blossoms in Kakunodate bloom from mid to late April, during which the beautiful pink of the blossoms colors the town.
Furthermore, by late April, they reach their peak, allowing you to fully enjoy the stunning scenery.
The cherry blossoms in Kakunodate are recognized as one of the 100 famous cherry blossom spots in Japan, so be sure to visit at least once!
Highlights of Cherry Blossoms in Kakunodate
Now, let’s introduce the highlights of the cherry blossoms in Kakunodate.
1. Samurai Residence Street
Picture courtesy of PAKUTAS
The Samurai Residence Street is a particularly popular spot in Kakunodate.
The beautiful cherry blossoms harmonize with the samurai residences from the Edo period, allowing you to leisurely enjoy hanami while strolling through the town.
Moreover, when the cherry blossoms reach their peak, the petals dance in the wind, creating a fantasy-like scenery.
2. Cherry Blossom Tunnel along the Hinokinai River
Picture courtesy of PAKUTAS
The cherry blossom tunnel along the Hinokinai River is also one of the popular spots.
Along the Hinokinai River, approximately 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted, creating a "cherry blossom tunnel" that stretches for about 2 kilometers in the spring.
It is also a popular spot for photography, so be sure to enjoy taking pictures when you visit!
3. Night Illumination
Picture courtesy of PAKUTAS
On Samurai Residence Street and along the Hinokinai River, illumination is carried out at night, allowing you to enjoy fantastical scenery that is different from the daytime.
Additionally, food stalls will be open during this period, providing hot drinks and gourmet food for you to enjoy.
With a romantic atmosphere, hanami becomes a lovely experience, making it recommended for couples on dates.
Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival 2025
As of now, the details for the Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 have not yet been published, but it is typically held from mid-April to early May each year.
Below is a table summarizing the information for the 2024 event, so please use it as a reference!
- Event Period
- Venue
- Admission Fee
Event Name | Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 |
|
April 15, 2024 – May 5, 2024 |
|
- Samurai Residence Street (LED Illumination) - Hinokinai River Embankment (Bulb Illumination) - Downstream of Hinokinai River Yokomachi Bridge (LED Illumination) - Cherry Blossom Tree Line Second Parking Lot (food Stalls, stage) |
|
Free |
How to Get to Kakunodate
The nearest station to Kakunodate is the Kakunodate Station on the JR Tazawako Line. From there, it takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach the cherry blossom viewing spots.
If you are traveling by car, it takes approximately 40 minutes from the Akita Expressway "Omachi IC" or about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the Tohoku Expressway"Morioka IC.
However, during the season, roads may be congested and parking lots could be full, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to use public transportation.
Additionally, there will be traffic regulations in place, such as road closures on Samurai Residence Street, so be sure to be aware of these restrictions.
Basic Information about the Cherry Blossoms in Kakunodate
The basic information about the cherry blossoms in Kakunodate is as follows:
Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival Venue
Address: Akita Prefecture, Senboku City, Tazawako, Shihorinai, Jinno Sato 30
Event Period: Mid-April to Early May 2025
Official Website: http://kakunodate-annai.jp/
Official SNS: https://www.instagram.com/kakunodate.kanko/
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the cherry blossom blooming period in Kakunodate?
The cherry blossom blooming period in Kakunodate typically occurs from mid to late April. However, it may vary depending on the year's temperatures, so be sure to check bloom maps in advance.
Where are the cherry blossom viewing spots in Kakunodate?
Kakunodate offers several spots to enjoy cherry blossoms. On Samurai Residence Street, the historic buildings create a beautiful contrast with the blossoms, allowing for a peaceful stroll. The approximately 2-kilometer-long cherry blossom tree line along the Hinokinai River forms a fantastical cherry blossom tunnel, and the night illumination adds to its charm.
What are the hours for the cherry blossom illumination in Kakunodate?
The cherry blossom illumination in Kakunodate is available until 10:30 PM. You can enjoy a fantastical atmosphere that differs from the daytime, so be sure to visit!
Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in Kakunodate
The cherry blossoms in Kakunodate are a famous spot located in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, attracting many visitors each year.
With highlights such as the weeping cherry trees on Samurai Residence Street, the cherry blossom tunnel along the Hinokinai River, and the night illuminations, there is plenty to see. Be sure to visit at least once!