Famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the central prefecture area

(Last updated: May 8, 2023)

Morioka Castle Ruins Park [Morioka City]

Season	Usually from mid-April to early May
Features	Morioka Castle Ruins Park, located in the center of Morioka City, is a park made from the remains of Morioka Castle, with its stone walls remaining, and is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing.
Related events	[Morioka Sakura Festival] Friday, April 7th, 2020 – Sunday, May 7th, 2020 *Light up to coincide with cherry blossom viewing season
Traffic access	・10 minutes by bus from Morioka Station ・20 minutes by car from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	Paid parking available nearby
Contact information	Morioka Tourism and Convention Association/TEL 019-604-3305
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Ishiwarizakura [Morioka City]

Season	Usually mid-April
Features	A granite rock with a circumference of 21m located in the front garden of Morioka District Court in Morioka City. The Edohigan tree, which stretches out its magnificent branches from the cracks in the stone, is said to be over 360 years old and has been designated as a national natural monument.
Traffic access	・10 minutes by bus from Morioka Station ・20 minutes by car from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway [Temporary parking lot for sightseeing buses] 4/10 (Mon) – 4/16 (Sun) 9:00 – 18:00 In front of the Iwate Prefectural Assembly Building
parking	Paid parking available nearby
Contact information	Morioka Tourism and Convention Association/TEL 019-604-3305
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Takamatsu Park [Morioka City]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	Located in the northwestern part of Morioka City, cherry blossoms surround Takamatsu Pond for about 2km. There is a path that you can take a walk on, and it is also a good place to view it from the pond by boat.
Related events	[Morioka Sakura Festival] April 7th (Friday) – May 7th (Sunday), 2020
Traffic access	・15 minutes by bus from Morioka Station ・25 minutes by car from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway *Traffic restrictions may apply depending on the peak viewing season.
parking	Parking available
Contact information	Morioka Tourism and Convention Association/TEL 019-604-3305
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Ryukokuji Temple (Morioka City)

Season	Usually from mid-April to late April
Features	Ryukokuji Temple was the temple where Takuboku Ishikawa’s uncle was the chief priest, and it is said that Takuboku often visited this temple as a boy. The “Moriokashidarezakura” in the precincts is the northernmost cherry tree designated as a national natural monument, and is a delight to the public in spring.
Traffic access	・12 minutes by bus + 10 minutes walk from Morioka Station ・30 minutes by car from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	Paid parking available nearby
Contact information	Morioka Tourism and Convention Association/TEL 019-604-3305
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Yonai Water Purification Plant [Morioka City]

Season	Usually early May
Features	It is located on the grounds of a water purification plant in Yonai, on the outskirts of Morioka City, and is open to the public free of charge only during the flowering period. The approximately 30 weeping cherry trees on the premises are protected as prefecture-designated preserved trees.
Related events	[Open to the public] April 19th (Wednesday) to May 7th (Sunday) 9:00-18:00
Traffic access	・3 minutes walk from Kamimenai Station on the JR Yamada Line ・About 40 minutes by car from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	30 units
Contact information	Morioka City Water and Sewerage Bureau TEL:019-623-1411
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Sakura Park Himegami [Morioka City]

Season	Usually early May
Features	In addition to the 10,000 Oyamazakura trees planted on approximately 37 hectares, there are also approximately 120 Yoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees, and the observation deck offers a panoramic view of Mt. Iwate.
Traffic access	・30 minutes by car from Takizawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	Approximately 40 cars
Contact information	Morioka City Tamayama General Office Industry Promotion Division/TEL 019-683-3852
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Koiwai Farm Single Cherry Blossom [Shizukuishi Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	An Edohigan spreads its branches leisurely against the backdrop of snow-covered Mt. Iwate. It has also been used as a filming location for movies and dramas, and has become a hot topic for its beautiful scenery.
Traffic access	・35 minutes by bus to Koiwai Farm from JR Morioka Station + 25 minutes on foot ・About 20 minutes from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	20 cars
Contact information	Koiwai Farm Makibaen/TEL 019-692-4321
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Kobo cherry blossoms in Nanatsuda [Shizukuishi Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	Edohigan cherry tree is about 800 years old. It is said that when Kobo Daishi visited a long time ago, he used a cherry blossom branch as a cane to take root, and the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully during Golden Week. ★It’s the best time to see it! (as of R5.4.13) *Light-up from Tuesday, April 11, 2020 until the end of the best viewing period 18:00-21:00
Traffic access	・15 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Morioka IC ・About 10 minutes by taxi from Shizukuishi Station on the JR Tazawako Line
parking	No private parking lot
Contact information	(One company) Shizukuishi Tourism Association/TEL 019-692-5138
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Row of cherry blossom trees at Shizukuishi River Park [Shizukuishi Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	A row of about 150 Yoshino cherry trees planted along the river embankment near JR Shizukuishi Station. Every year, some of the cherry blossoms are illuminated at night, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms at night. ★It’s the best time to see it! (as of R5.4.13) *Light-up Thursday, April 13, 2020 to Tuesday, April 18, 18:00 to 21:00
Related events	[Hoisting carp streamers] Thursday, April 27, 2020 – Sunday, May 7, 2020
Traffic access	・10 minutes walk from JR Shizukuishi Station ・20 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Morioka IC
parking	Please use the Shizukuishi Station parking lot (free of charge).
Contact information	(One company) Shizukuishi Tourism Association/TEL 019-692-5138
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Sakuramatsu Park [Hachimantai City]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	It is close to Hachimantai City’s famous spots “Fudo Falls” and “Sakuramatsu Shrine,” and also has a Japanese-style rest house “Takinochaya.” ★It’s almost in full bloom! (as of R5.4.24)
Related events	[Fudo Falls Festival] May 3, 2020 (Wednesday/Holiday)
Traffic access	・10 minutes by car from JR Hanawa Line Araya-Shinmachi Station ・10 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Ashiro IC
parking	can be
Contact information	(One company) Hachimantai City Tourism Association/TEL 0195-78-3500
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Tamenai Solitary Cherry Blossom [Hachimantai City]

Season	Usually early May
Features	A lone cherry tree stands on a small hill where a shrine once stood. *This is private property, so please be careful when entering the area.
Traffic access	3 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Matsuo-Hachimantai IC
parking	There is parking space for about 3 regular cars on the side of the road.
Contact information	(One company) Hachimantai City Tourism Association/TEL 0195-78-3500
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A single cherry tree in Kamibō [Hachimantai City]

Season	Usually early to mid-May
Features	A lone cherry tree blooming in Kaminobo Makino. The type is “Kasumizakura”, which looks like it has a haze over it.
Traffic access	Approximately 15 minutes from Nishine IC on the Tohoku Expressway in the direction of Yakehashiri.
parking	none. Please be careful not to obstruct traffic.
Contact information	(One company) Hachimantai City Tourism Association/TEL 0195-78-3500
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Shigariwake Shrine [Shiwa Town]

Season	Usually mid-April
Features	The approach to the shrine is lined with large cherry trees, and among them is a 700-year-old cherry tree that is said to be a matchmaking cherry blossom, called the Minami-no-zakura.
Traffic access	Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Hizume Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line.
Contact information	(One company) Shiwa Town Tourism Exchange Association/TEL 019-676-4477
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Goronuma [Shinami Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	Goronuma is located near the ruins of Hizume-kan, which was built by the brothers Hizume Taro Toshihira and Goro Toshihira, grandchildren of the first generation Kiyohira of the Fujiwara clan in Hiraizumi. In spring, it is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing.
Contact information	(One company) Shiwa Town Tourism Exchange Association/TEL 019-676-4477
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Shiroyama Park [Shiwa Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	Due to a bear infestation, entry into the mountain will be prohibited for one week from today. (R5.4.18) Shiroyama, Shiwa Town flourished as the castle town of Kosuiji Castle, and is now a popular park. When the more than 2,000 cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, it becomes crowded with cherry blossom viewing visitors.
Related events	[Shiroyama Sakura Week] April 15th (Saturday) to April 30th (Sunday), 2020
Traffic access	・20 minutes walk from Hizume Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line ・10 minutes by car from Shiwa IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	100 units
Contact information	(One company) Shiwa Town Tourism Exchange Association/TEL 019-676-4477
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Tokutan Castle Ruins [Yahaba Town]

Season	Usually from mid-April to late April
Features	There are approximately 30 Yoshino cherry trees in the Tokutan Castle Ruins Park, a nationally designated historic site located along National Route 4, and they bloom beautifully from mid to late April every year. Because it is located on flat land, it is relatively warm even when you are viewing the cherry blossoms at night.
Traffic access	5 minutes by car from JR Yahaba Station, 25 minutes by car from JR Morioka Station
parking	Free parking for more than 10 cars (adjacent to the History and Folklore Museum site)
Contact information	Yahaba Town Industrial Promotion Division/019-611-2605 Yahaba Town History and Folklore Museum/TEL 019-697-3704
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Cherry blossom trees in Shimizuno [Yahaba Town]

Season	Usually late April to early May
Features	About 100 cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the 1.5 km long line of Shimizuno cherry blossom trees along the road from Prefectural Route 13 towards Enyama Naebatake.
Traffic access	・10 minutes by car from JR Yahaba Station ・10 minutes by car from Morioka Minami IC on the Tohoku Expressway
parking	none
Contact information	Yahaba Town Industrial Promotion Division/TEL 019-611-2605
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