1
Tsurugajo Castle

The only place in Japan where you can enjoy the competition between the red-tiled castle tower and cherry blossoms.

Tsurugajo Castle is the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City and is known as one of the best castles under heaven. Although the castle was once dismantled after the Boshin War, it was rebuilt in 1965, and the red tiles were restored during a major renovation in 2011. The approximately 69,000 tsubo area surrounding the castle has been developed as "Tsurugajo Park" and is now a cherry blossom viewing spot with approximately 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom. The red-tiled castle tower, which can only be seen here in Japan, and the cherry blossoms are so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the "100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan" by the Japan Cherry Blossom Society.
The view from the Ninomaru side is especially recommended. Through the cherry blossoms, you can see the vermilion-lacquered corridor bridge leading to the main castle, the 20-meter-high stone wall, and the castle keep in the background. When illuminated, the view is even more magical. The "Tsurugajo Cherry Blossom Festival" is held in conjunction with the cherry blossom season, making the area even livelier.

Flowering season: Usually from mid to late April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually mid to late April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, Yae cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, mountain cherry trees, etc.

Tsurugajo Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Tuesday, April 1 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Place: Tsurugajo Park
Light up: Sunset - 21:30 (until 21:00 after the falling of flowers)
Remarks: https://www.aizukanko.com/kk/festival/sakura-matsuri

2
Ishibe cherry blossoms

The 650 year old giant cherry tree that heralds the arrival of spring in the Aizu region.

This giant cherry tree became nationally known after it appeared in the opening scene of NHK's historical drama "Yae no Sakura" (Yae's Cherry Blossoms). The tree is said to be 650 years old and is a natural monument of Aizu Wakamatsu City. 10 trunks of the giant tree are about 11 m tall, and the widest branch is about 20 m. The full blossoms of the tree can be seen from a distance, or you can take a walk under the branches and be surrounded by the cherry blossoms.
It is also known as one of the "Five Cherry Trees of Aizu" along with "Torano-o Sakura" and "Usuzumizakura" in Aizu Misato Town, "Sugi-no-Itozakura" in Aizu Sakashita Town, and "Oshika Sakura" in Inawashiro Town, and as it blooms the earliest among them, it is known as the cherry tree that heralds the arrival of spring in the Aizu area. The Ishibe-zakura is located far from the parking lot, and it is best to wear comfortable walking clothes as you will be walking along the rice field path.

Flowering season: Usually from mid to late April.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually mid-April.
Type of Cherry Blossoms】Edohigan

Ishibe Cherry Blossom

• Hachiman Ishibe, Ichimino-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
• 8 minutes drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, 15 minutes walk from the temporary parking lot.
• From JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, take the excursion bus. 15 min. walk from Iimoriyama-shita stop.
• 0242-39-1251（Aizuwakamatsu City Tourism Section)
• Free (Temporary Parking during blooming only)

3
Nichuzen weeping cherry tree lined with weeping cherry trees

About 1,000 weeping cherry trees bloom along the 3-km promenade.

This promenade was developed on a part of the former site of the former Japan National Railways Nichu Line, which was closed down in 1984. The 3-km section from the entrance of the promenade, which is a 5-minute walk from Kitakata Station, is a "weeping cherry tree walkway" with approximately 1,000 weeping cherry trees planted, and is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture. The pink weeping cherry trees blooming in a straight line and swaying in the wind are a sight to see at least once. The "walkway" is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, and the sight of the pink weeping cherry trees blooming in a straight line and swaying in the wind is a sight worth seeing at least once.

Flowering season] Usually from mid to late April.
Best time to see cherry blossoms: Usually mid to late April.
Cherry Blossoms】shidare-zakura (weeping cherry), etc.

Nichuzen Line weeping cherry tree avenue

• Aza-oshikiri-higashi 2-chome, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, etc. MAP
• 5 min. walk from JR Kitakata Station
• 0241-24-5200（Kitakata Tourist and Products Association)
• Free (Temporary parking is available only during the blooming season)

4
Kitashiobara Village Sakura Pass

About 3,000 cherry trees in total. A spectacular view filled with cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see.

To celebrate the birth of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko Aiko in 2001, 2,001 Oyamazakura trees were planted the following year under an ownership system. Since then, additional trees have been planted, and now there are more than 3,000 trees.
Once you step into the tree planting area, you will be surrounded by the distinctive deep pink oyama cherry trees. A short walk through the cherry trees from the adjacent Parking, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the distance in combination with the snow-capped peaks of the Iide mountain range. If you go further to the far end, you will come to a hill overlooking the tree-planting area of Sakura Pass, which is a recommended viewing spot where you can see the Oyamazakura cherry trees in full bloom competing with each other all over the slopes.
Because of its high elevation, the best time to view the cherry blossoms is usually around G.W., which is later than in the flatlands, making it possible to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at a later time of year.

Flowering season] Usually from late April to early May.
Viewing period: Usually from early April to early May.
Cherry blossom type】Oyama cherry (Cerasus jamasakura)

Kitashiobara Village Cherry Blossom Pass

• Oaza Oshio Aza Sakura-Toge, Kitashiobara-mura, Yama-gun, Fukushima MAP
• Approximately 40 minutes by car from JR Inawashiro Station
• Take a bus from JR Inawashiro Station and get off at "La Vispa Urabandai".
• 0241-32-2511（Kitashiobara Village Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division)
• Free of charge

5
Kanonji River Sakura Row

The nostalgia-inducing scenery is enchanting. Don't miss the cherry blossoms illuminated in seven different colors.

The Kannonji River flows just north of Kawageta Station near the shore of Lake Inawashiro. In spring, about 200 cherry trees, including Someiyoshino cherry trees, bloom along the river for about 1 km from the Kannonji Temple. The Kannonji River, with its gently flowing water, has an appealing simple scenery like the world of the nursery rhyme "Spring Stream. Why not spend your free time eating a box lunch on the bank while enjoying the nostalgic scenery and cherry blossoms that remain in the hearts of the Japanese people?

Blooming season: Usually from late April to early May.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early May.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, Edohigan cherry trees, and mountain cherry trees.

Kannonji River Cherry Blossom Lined Trees

• Oaza Kawagita, Inawashiro Town, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
• 1 minute walk from JR Kawajiri Station.
• Free of charge
• 0242-62-2048（Inawashiro Tourist Association)
• Free of charge

6
Inawashiro Town Bandaisan Farm

The cherry blossoms were featured in the title background of the historical drama "Taiga Drama. Cherry blossom trees stretching into the green meadow.

This town-run ranch spreads out on the hillside of Bandai Plateau. The 1.4 km public road stretching from east to west on the property and the 300 m public road stretching from its eastern starting point to the north are filled with approximately 200 Someiyoshino cherry trees in bloom in spring and are affectionately called "Makiba no Sakura Road". 2013 NHK historical drama "Yae no Sakura" was filmed at the ranch as the title backdrop, The rows of trees on the grounds have become a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that attracts visitors from outside the prefecture as well.
On a clear day, you can see the collaboration of Mt. Bandai and cherry blossoms with lingering snow in the north, and if you look south, you can look down on Lake Inawashiro with cherry blossoms in view.

Blooming season] Usually from late April to early May.
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Usually early May.
Someiyoshino cherry trees and Takatoukohigan cherry trees

Inawashiro Town Bandaisan Ranch

• Watanba, Oaza-Nagata, Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima MAP
• 10 minutes drive from JR Inawashiro Station
• Free of charge
• 0242-72-0212（Inawashiro Town Promotion Public Corporation)
• Free of charge