1
Sakuragawa Embankment

The most popular spot during the Tsuchiura Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring a gorgeous 4km-long row of cherry trees.

The Sakuragawa River flows through the center of Tsuchiura City and empties into Lake Kasumigaura. Along both banks, rows of cherry trees stretch for about 4 km from near the river mouth. It all began in 1910 (Meiji 43) when Kumezo Heta, who had prayed for his wife's recovery at the Doso Shrine below the embankment, donated 200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees as a gesture of gratitude for her full recovery. Today, the number of trees has grown to approximately 500, making it a popular spot during the "Tsuchiura Cherry Blossom Festival."
We recommend the north side of the river, where a walking path is maintained. In particular, the area from Nioibashi Bridge near the center of the cherry tree rows to the vicinity of Tsuchiura Bridge is dotted with highlights, including spots where you can enjoy rape blossoms and a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
Also, during the festival period, cherry blossom viewing cruise boats operate, taking one hour to travel along the Sakuragawa River from the river mouth (reservations required). The rows of cherry trees viewed from the water are beautiful, and upstream, you can also enjoy the collaboration with Mount Tsukuba.
At night, parts of the roadside are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.

[Blooming Season] Usually late March
[Best Time to View] Usually late March to early April
[Cherry Blossom Variety] Somei Yoshino

▼Sakuragawa Cherry Blossom Viewing Boat
Date and Time: 10:00–15:00 during the cherry blossom blooming period, departing on the hour
Boarding/Alighting Location: Inside "Laxus Marina," 2-13-6 Kawaguchi, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Fee: 2,200 yen for junior high school students and older, 1,100 yen for elementary school students, free for preschoolers (includes insurance)
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Passenger Capacity: 5–6 people *Minimum of 2 people required
TEL: 029-822-2437 (Laxus Marina)
Notes: Reservations required, service suspended in case of stormy weather

▼Illumination
Date and Time: March 20 (Fri/Holiday) – April 12 (Sun), 2026, 18:00–22:00
Location: North side of the Sakuragawa embankment (near Ikuta-cho Sakuragawa Green Space, between Nioibashi Bridge and Zenigamebashi Bridge)

Sakuragawa Embankment

• Sakuragawa River Mouth to near Gakuen Minami Ohashi Bridge MAP
• Approx. 5-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at "Sakuramachi Sanchome," and walk about 4 minutes (to Nioibashi Bridge).
• 029-824-2810 (Tsuchiura City Tourism Association)
• Free (Temporary riverbed parking available March 28-29 and April 4-5, 2026, from 10:00 to 16:00)
• Open flames are prohibited around the Sakuragawa riverbed.

2
Kijo Park

Enjoy the collaboration between Tsuchiura's iconic historical heritage and cherry blossoms.

Tsuchiura Castle was built during the Eikyo era (1429–1440) of the Muromachi period. Because the castle was once surrounded by multiple moats and looked like a turtle floating on water, it was also called "Kijo" (Turtle Castle). Today, the main enclosure (honmaru) and part of the second enclosure (ninomaru) have been maintained and opened to the public as "Kijo Park." About 50 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted in the park, making it a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. The best spots for viewing are around the Yaguramon Gate, Kasumimon Gate, and the East Turret, all of which are designated as prefectural historic sites. You can enjoy the quintessentially Japanese atmosphere of the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of these valuable historical heritage sites. At night, the area around the main enclosure plaza is illuminated.

[Blooming Season] Usually late March
[Best Time to View] Usually late March to early April
[Cherry Blossom Variety] Somei Yoshino

▼Illumination
Date and Time: March 20 (Fri/Holiday) – April 12 (Sun), 2026, 18:00–22:00
Location: Near the main enclosure plaza

Kijo Park

• 1-13 Chuo, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• About a 14-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station and get off at "Kijo Koen-mae" (immediately accessible).
• Always open
• 029-824-2810 (Tsuchiura City Tourism Association)
• None
• Open flames prohibited

3
Shinkawa Embankment

From cherry blossom arches to flower rafts, come here to purely enjoy the charm of cherry blossoms.

The Shinkawa River, which runs east to west through Tsuchiura City, is a small river flowing through a quiet residential area. A row of Somei Yoshino cherry trees stretches for about 2 km along the river, and the riverbanks are dyed a pale pink during the blooming season. We recommend the view from near the Shinten Bridge, located about 1 km from JR Tsuchiura Station, as well as the exceptional scenery further upstream where the river narrows. The branches extending from both banks create an arch of cherry blossoms, and the blossoms are reflected on the water's surface, allowing you to fully enjoy a world filled with cherry blossoms. The illuminated scenery and the "hana-ikada" (flower rafts) period, when scattered petals cover the river, are also spectacular. You can fully enjoy the true pleasure of cherry blossom viewing.

[Blooming Season] Usually late March
[Best Time to View] Usually late March to early April
[Cherry Blossom Variety] Somei Yoshino

▼Illumination
Date and Time: March 20 (Fri/Holiday) – April 12 (Sun), 2026, 18:00–22:00
Location: Near Johoku-machi, Tsuchiura City

Shinkawa Embankment

• From Shinten-bashi Bridge to the vicinity of Ibaraki Prefectural Tsuchiura Daini High School MAP
• Approx. 14-minute walk from JR Tsuchiura Station (to Shinten Bridge)
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at "Tsuchiura Kyoku-mae," and walk approx. 2 minutes (to Shinten Bridge)
• 029-824-2810 (Tsuchiura City Tourism Association)
• None

4
Manabe Elementary School

The "Manabe no Sakura," five large trees born from a gift by graduates.

These five Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted in an elementary school playground. Known as the "Manabe no Sakura," they are designated as a Natural Monument of Ibaraki Prefecture. They originated from saplings presented by graduates in 1907 to commemorate the completion of the new school building. They have now grown to a maximum height of 11 meters and a trunk circumference of 5.1 meters, with elegant branches extending up to 20 meters in all directions, giving them a dignified appearance. During the blooming season, they are so magnificent they will take your breath away.
Initially located in the corner of the schoolyard, they ended up in the center after repeated expansions of the playground. Eventually, they became a symbol of the school and were opened to the public. You can also enjoy them illuminated at night.

[Blooming Period] Usually late March
[Best Time to View] Usually early April
[Cherry Blossom Variety] Somei Yoshino

▼General Public Opening
Date and Time: March 25 (Wed) – April 7 (Tue), 2026, 9:00–17:00
*Viewing is not available until 13:00 on March 31 (Tue)

▼Manabe Cherry Blossom Viewing Gathering
Date and Time: April 4 (Sat), 2026, 13:30–20:00

▼Light-up
Date and Time: March 27 (Fri) – 29 (Sun) and April 3 (Fri) – 5 (Sun), 2026, 18:00–20:00
*Schedule may change depending on the blooming status

Manabe Elementary School

• 4-3-1 Manabe, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Tsuchiura Station
• Take a bus from JR Tsuchiura Station, get off at "Tsuchiura Ichi-ko-mae," and walk approx. 3 minutes
• 029-824-2810 (Tsuchiura City Tourism Association)
• None
• Banquets and the use of open flames are prohibited