Tsuruga Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival: Highlights and Tips

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Tsuruga Castle Park hosts cherry blossom light-ups alongside the Tsuruga Castle Cherry Blossom Festival. Read on to learn the dates and festival highlights.

Written by

mamo

Gunma,Japan

Lives and works in Gunma Prefecture. Moved to Gunma Prefecture right after graduating from high school to train as a sports trainer. He trained athletes and other athletes in training, stretching, form coaching and checking, and dietary management. After moving to Shizuoka Prefecture, he opened a clinic in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture in 2013, and started working as a writer around 2022. I mainly write blog posts in the health and outdoor genres, as well as sports-related YouTube scenarios.

Tsuruga Castle Park: A Scenic Cherry Blossom Spot in Fukushima

Tsuruga Castle (Wakamatsu Castle), located in Aizuwakamatsu City, is surrounded by approximately 1,000 cherry blossom trees, creating a magnificent scene in spring.

Tsuruga Castle Park has been selected among the "100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan" for its beauty, making it a signature cherry blossom spot in Aizu.

Every year, many domestic and international tourists visit to enjoy hanami (flower viewing) during the cherry blossom season.

In this article, we will introduce the best viewing times for the cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park based on the latest information for 2025, as well as events and ways to enjoy it.

Tsuruga Castle Park Cherry Blossom Guide

About Tsuruga Castle Park
The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park
Light-Up Events for the Cherry Blossoms at Tsuruga Castle

Book Shinkansen and train tickets in Japan

About Tsuruga Castle Park

Photo by AC

Tsuruga Castle Park is a park developed on the site of Tsuruga Castle (Wakamatsu Castle) located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. Tsuruga Castle was built in the 15th century and has historically been known as an impregnable fortress that withstood the fierce assaults of the new government forces during the Boshin War.

The castle was dismantled after the Meiji Restoration but was reconstructed in 1965. In 2011, the castle was restored to its original appearance with red tiles. The red-tiled keep is rare in Japan and is currently open to the public as a museum.

The vast castle grounds have become a place of relaxation for the citizens, bustling with many visitors as a cherry blossom spot in spring.

The Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park

Photo by AC

The cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park typically bloom from early April to early May. It is expected that the blooming will start around early April 2025, and reach full bloom by mid-April. This allows for a relatively long enjoyment of hanami (flower viewing) until early May.

The park features approximately 1,000 cherry trees, primarily of the Somei Yoshino variety, which bloom in soft pink, surrounding the castle's keep, creating a highly photogenic and beautiful landscape.

The striking contrast between the pure white castle walls of Tsuruga and the pink cherry blossoms provides a breathtaking view, attracting many photographers and tourists.

Tsuruga Castle Park has been selected among the "100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan" and is known as one of the top cherry blossom locations in the Tohoku region.

Additionally, late-blooming yaezakura (double-flowered cherry blossoms) are also planted, allowing for a longer cherry blossom viewing period and the opportunity to enjoy different atmospheres by visiting at varying times.

After full bloom, the sight of cherry blossom petals ("sakura fubuki" in Japanese) and flower petals floating on the moat, known as "hanaikada" in Japanese, adds to the park's charm.

Light-Up Events for Cherry Blossoms at Tsuruga Castle

Photo by AC

At Tsuruga Castle Park, night illuminations are held annually from late March to early May, coinciding with the cherry blossom blooming period. The illuminations light up the castle keep and cherry trees from sunset until around 9 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms at night.

This illumination event, known as the "Sparkling Night Cherry Blossom Party," is one of the largest in eastern Japan and attracts many tourists. The reflection of the cherry blossoms on the surface of the moat is also beautiful, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.

Additionally, during the cherry blossom season, various events are held as part of the Tsuruga Castle Cherry Blossom Festival. Stalls featuring local specialty foods and sweets line the area throughout the festival.

There are performances of folk arts on weekends and a spring hospitality market (product fair), offering a variety of activities during the flower viewing season.

These events provide the opportunity to enjoy Aizu's culture and history alongside the cherry blossoms. Visitors can also be seen spreading out leisure sheets under the cherry trees to enjoy hanami.

Tsuruga Castle Park

1-1 Odeicho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0873

Tsurugi Castle Park is a park that has been rebuilt and organized by Tsuruga Castle, which is impressive. On the site of about 69,000 tsubo, buildings such as castle tower and tea rooms are reproduced, mainly Honmaru. The area inside the Uchibori has a territory of the Boshin War, which is said to have endured a fierce battle for about a month, and was designated as a national historic site in 1934. A 3,720 square meter park, which spreads around the castle, is the best famous cherry blossom in Aizu where about 1,000 cherry blossoms bloom. The appearance of cherry blossoms in the background of Honmatsu is a masterpiece, and has been selected as "100 selections of cherry blossoms".

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle reach full bloom?

The cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park typically begin to bloom in early April, reaching full bloom around mid-April. There can be slight variations depending on temperature and weather conditions, and in colder years, blooming may be delayed. The peak viewing period lasts for about a week. Then visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms fluttering as flower petals floating on the moat, known as "hanaikada." Since there are also late-blooming yaezakura (double-flowered cherry blossoms), the cherry blossom scenery can be enjoyed until early May. It is recommended to check the blooming forecasts and current conditions before visiting.

How can I get real-time updates on the cherry blossom conditions at Tsuruga Castle?

The cherry blossom conditions at Tsuruga Castle are regularly updated on the official websites of the Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Association and Tsuruga Castle Park, as well as on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

Additionally, you can check real-time conditions through the Fukushima Prefecture tourism information site and live cameras.

Especially during the blooming season, local tourism facilities and hotels often post the latest information on their social media. Therefore, it's convenient to follow them in advance. Be sure to check the local cherry blossom information regularly to catch the best viewing times.

Is there a course for walking while enjoying the cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle?

Within Tsuruga Castle Park, there is a walking path lined with cherry trees that extends along the moat and around the main keep, allowing visitors to enjoy the blossoms on a stroll.

A recommended route is to enter from the south gate and walk around the park while enjoying the view of the castle through the cherry blossoms. This takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, and highlights include the cherry blossom tunnel and the reflections of the blossoms on the moat.

Along the way, there are also tea houses, such as the Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Room, and viewpoints where visitors can fully appreciate the history of Aizuwakamatsu and the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

What should I keep in mind when viewing the cherry blossoms at night?

The cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle are beautifully illuminated, allowing for night viewing, but it can get chilly at night, so it's important to dress warmly. There may also be dimly lit areas, so choose comfortable shoes and exercise caution around stairs and the moat.

The light-up event lasts until around 9 PM, but if you want to avoid crowded times, aim for just after the lights come on in the evening (around 6 PM to 7 PM). Note that using tripods for photography may be prohibited, so be mindful of photography etiquette while enjoying the night blossoms.

Visit Tsuruga Caslte Park in Spring

The cherry blossoms at Tsuruga Castle Park create a breathtaking scene with the historic red-tiled castle keep and approximately 1,000 cherry trees, making it an essential spot for spring tourism in Aizu.

Around mid-April, during the peak bloom, it is recommended to enjoy both the cherry blossoms against the blue daytime sky and the enchanting illuminated cherry blossoms at night.

Taking a moment to relax with matcha at the Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Room within the castle grounds adds to the experience. However, the weekends during peak bloom can be quite crowded, so if possible, visiting on a weekday or early in the morning is advisable.

If time allows, climbing to the top of the castle keep for a panoramic view of the cherry blossoms below is truly exceptional. Be sure to fully enjoy hanami at Tsuruga Castle Park in the spring of 2025!

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Written by

mamo

Gunma,Japan

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