1
Sakuragawa-tei (Sakura River bank)

The most popular cherry tree at the Tsuchiura Cherry Blossom Festival, a gorgeous row of cherry trees stretching 4 km long.

Sakura River flows through the center of Tsuchiura City and empties into Kasumigaura. The Sakuragawa River flows through the center of Tsuchiura City and empties into Kasumigaura, and is lined with cherry trees along both banks for about 4 km from the river mouth. It originated in 1910, when Kumezo Heta, who prayed for his wife's recovery from illness at Dosojin Shrine under the embankment, donated 200 Someiyoshino cherry trees in thanks for her complete recovery. Today, about 500 trees have been planted and the area is a popular spot for the Tsuchiura Cherry Blossom Festival.
The best place to visit is the north side of the river where a promenade is maintained. In particular, the area from the Sagibashi Bridge near the center of the rows of cherry trees to the Tsuchiura Bridge area is dotted with sights such as rape blossoms and a tunnel of cherry trees.
During the festival period, a cherry blossom viewing boat cruises along the Sakura River for an hour from the mouth of the river. The rows of cherry trees seen from the water are beautiful, and upstream you can enjoy the collaboration with Mt.
At night, the roadside is partially illuminated, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Blooming time】Late March
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Late March to early April.
Sakuragawa 500 cherry trees

Sakuragawa 500 Cherry Blossoms Cherry Blossom Viewing Boat
Date & Time: Departs every hour from 10:00 to 15:00 during the cherry blossom blooming period.
Boarding place: "Rusk Marina", 2-13-6 Kawaguchi, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki
Fare: 2,000 yen for junior high school students and older, 1,000 yen for elementary school students, and free for preschool children (insurance included)
Time required: approximately 1 hour
Capacity: 5-6 people *minimum 2 people
TEL: 029-822-2437 (LUX Marina)
Remarks: Reservations required, no sailings in stormy weather

▼Lighting up
Date: March 20 (Thu) - April 13 (Sun), 2025 18:00 - 22:00
Location：North side of Sakuragawa bank (near Ikuta-machi Sakuragawa green area, near Saino-bashi bridge - Sengame-bashi bridge)

Sakura River bank

• Sakuragawa River mouth - near Gakuen-minami Bridge MAP
• 5 minutes walk from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at Sakura-machi 3-chome, and walk about 4 minutes (to Sagaki Bridge)
• 029-824-2810（Tsuchiura City Tourist Association)
• Free (riverbed, 10:00-16:00 on March 23-24, 2024)
• Fire is prohibited around the Sakuragawa riverbed

2
Turtle Castle (Kijo) Park

Enjoy the collaboration of Tsuchiura's representative historical heritage and cherry blossoms

Tsuchiura Castle was built during the Eikyo period (1429-1440) in the Muromachi era (1336-1573). It was also called "Turtle Castle" because the castle was once surrounded by several moats and looked like a turtle floating on the water. Today, parts of the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas have been developed and are open to the public as "Turtle Castle Park. About 50 Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted in the park, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. The best spots to view the cherry blossoms are around the turret gate, Kasumon gate, and east turret, which are designated as historical sites by the prefecture. Visitors can enjoy the cherry blossoms with a rich Japanese atmosphere against the backdrop of this precious historical heritage. At night, the area around Honmaru Square is illuminated.

Blooming time】Late March
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Late March to early April.
Sakuragawa 500 cherry trees

▼Lighting up
Date：March 20 (Thu) - April 13 (Sun), 2025 18:00 - 22:00
Location：Near Honmaru plaza

Kijo Park

• 1-13 Chuo, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki MAP
• Approx. 14 min. walk from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station and get off at "Kamegi Koen-mae" bus stop.
• Always open
• 029-824-2810（Tsuchiura City Tourist Association)
• None
• No fire

3
Shinkawa Embankment

Cherry blossom arches and flower rafts, come here to genuinely enjoy the charm of cherry blossoms

The Shinkawa River, which runs east to west across Tsuchiura City, is a small river that flows through a quiet residential area. The view from "Jinten Bridge" about 1 km from JR Tsuchiura Station is recommended, and the upstream view as the river narrows is also exceptional. Branches protruding from both banks of the river create an arch of cherry blossoms, which are reflected on the surface of the river, creating a world of cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms are also spectacular when they are lit up or when the river is covered with petals from the petals that have fallen down. You can fully enjoy the best part of cherry blossom viewing.

Blooming time】Late March
Best time to see the cherry blossoms: Late March to early April.
Sakuragawa 500 cherry trees

▼Lighting up
Date：March 20 (Thu) - April 13 (Sun), 2025 18:00 - 22:00
Place：Near Johoku-cho, Tsuchiura City

Shinkawa bank

• Near Shinten Bridge - Tsuchiura Daini High School, Ibaraki MAP
• 14 minutes walk from JR Tsuchiura Station (to Jintenkyo Bridge)
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at "Tsuchiura bureau-mae" and walk about 2 minutes (to Jintenkyo Bridge).
• 029-824-2810（Tsuchiura City Tourist Association)
• None

4
Manabe Elementary School

Manabe no Sakura," five large trees created from the gifts of graduates

Five Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted in the schoolyard of an elementary school. Originating from a seedling sent by a graduate in 1907 to commemorate the inauguration of the new school building, they have grown to a maximum height of 11 meters and a trunk circumference of 5.1 meters, with graceful branches reaching up to 20 meters in all directions, giving them a stately appearance. During the blooming season, it is so spectacular that one can't help but sigh.
The tree was originally located in the corner of the schoolyard, but after repeated expansions of the schoolyard, it was moved to the center. It eventually became a symbol of the school and is now open to the public. It is also illuminated at night.

Flowering season: Usually late March
Usually in early April.
Type of cherry tree: Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino)

Cherry Blossom Viewing Party in Manabe
Date：March 29, 2025 (Sat) 13:30-20:00

Light up the cherry blossoms
Date: Fri, March 28 - Sun, March 30, 2025 18:00-21:00

Manabe Elementary School

• 4-3-1 Manabe, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki MAP
• 10 minutes drive from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at Tsuchiura Ichiko-mae bus stop and walk about 3 minutes.
• 029-824-2810（Tsuchiura City Tourist Association)
• None
• Banquet and fire are prohibited.