Lying on a long, north to south axis, the Japanese archipelago has different times of bloom by regions, allowing people to enjoy cherry blossoms for a relatively long period of time (about two months). Let’s go and see the beautiful blossoms by using a JR EAST PASS!
The park is home to about 2,600 cherry trees of about 50 kinds, including someiyoshino and weeping types. If it is clear, you can enjoy magnificent scenery combining Hirosaki Castle tower, beautiful cherry blossoms, and Mt. Iwaki in the distance.
Peak Season: late April to mid-May
| Access | 15 min by bus from Hirosaki Station on the JR Ou Line (bus fare applies) |
Peak Season: mid-April to early May
| Access | 20-min walk from Kitakami Station on the JR Tohoku Line |
Peak Season: mid-April to early May
| Access | 20-min walk from Kakunodate Station on the Akita Shinkansen Line |
A great cherry blossom viewing spot with more than 1,300 cherry trees. Looking out from the slope car, which takes you directly to the top of the mountain, you will feel like you are going through a cherry blossom tunnel. The view of the cherry blossoms from the top is also gorgeous.
Peak Season: early April to mid-April
| Access | 15-min walk from Funaoka Station on the JR Tohoku Line (slope car fee applies) |
In the Ninomaru site of Yamagata Castle (aka Kajo Castle), 1,500 cherry trees bloom. Inside the park, you can enjoy cherry blossoms everywhere along the moat. At night, the blossoms are illuminated, creating a fantastical atmosphere.
Peak Season: mid-April to late April
| Access | 10-min walk from Yamagata Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line |
KITAKATA Tourism and Product Association
You will feel overwhelmed by about 1,000 weeping cherry trees blossoming along the path stretching over 3 km. At the halfway point of the path, an old steam locomotive is on display, offering a perfect site for taking a photo.
Peak Season: mid-April to late April
| Access | 5-min walk from Kitakata Station on the JR Ban-etsu-West Line |
In the Sakura Square along the Nishi-Otaki Dam, about 140 someiyoshino cherry trees bloom. They are late-blooming even for Nagano Prefecture and usually are in bloom until around early May.
Peak Season: late April to early May
| Access | 5-min walk from Nishi-Ōtaki Station on the JR Iiyama Line |
Along the Shinano River for 1.5 km, about 1,000 cherry trees, including someiyoshino cherry trees and double cherry blossoms as well as tulips are blooming gorgeously. During the blooming season, lamps are lit, and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the evening.
Peak Season: early April to mid-May
| Access | 5-min walk from Hakusan Station on the JR Echigo Line |
www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: Outside Japan: Adults 19,000 yen, Children 9,500 yen / Within Japan: Adults 20,000 yen, Children 10,000 yen
Sales locations: JR EAST Travel Service Center (Narita Airport Terminal 1 / 2·3, Haneda Airport International Terminal, Tōkyō, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Hamamatsuchō, Sendai sta.) and other ticket counter
www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_n/
Validity: Flexible for 5 days (any 5 days within 14 days of issuance)
Prices: Outside Japan: Adults 17,000 yen, Children 8,500 yen / Within Japan: Adults 18,000 yen, Children 9,000 yen
Sales locations: JR EAST Travel Service Center (Narita Airport Terminal 1 / 2·3, Haneda Airport International Terminal, Tōkyō, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Hamamatsuchō sta.) and other ticket counter
JR-EAST Train Reservation
You can reserve seats of JR East Shinkansen bullet trains and major limited express via “JR-EAST Train Reservation” website.
*The status of blooming may change due to weather.
