April 2019 Community Events

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Cherry blossom peaks vary from area to area in Japan. Misawa City, as well as the Aomori Prefecture, feature many local events, offering attendees opportunities to continue building partnerships among their Japanese neighbors.

Sakura Blooming
Location: Various parks

“Sakura” are Japanese cherry blossom trees and loved among the locals because of their short lifespan. They last about a week, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of life—capturing the heart of the people. 

While cherry blossoms bloom, many people enjoy the “Hanami”—Cherry Blossom Festival—eating and drinking with their family, friends or co-workers under the flowers. Some parks light up the trees at the night giving it a mesmerizing atmosphere.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, cherry trees in Hirosaki will be in full bloom by late April.

Below are local cherry blossom sites to visit:

Misawa Chuo Park (Misawa City GPS: 40.683283, 141.370970)
Known as the “Train Park”, go outside the main gate and head straight one block.   

Icho Park (Oirase town GPS: 40.609416, 141.437955)
This park houses the Largest Statue of Liberty in Japan and is on the same latitude as the original one in New York City.

Hachinohe Park (Hachinohe city, GPS: 40.474566, 141.516675)
Children’s land (Amusement park) opens on Monday, April 1.

Utsugisawa Weeping Cherry (Gonohe town, GPS: 40.501682, 141.293521)
More than 100 years old and 10 meters long, featuring a breathtaking cherry tree.

Gappo Park (Aomori city 40.501682, 141.293521)
Selected as one of the 100 best parks in Japan, this park adorns itself with white sands and green pine trees. Visitors can also enjoy cherry trees in this season.

World’s longest cherry-lined Road (Hirosaki city, GPS: 40.610293, 140.305014)
More than 6,500 cherry trees line a 20-km road at the foot of Mt Iwaki.

Kanagi Ashino Park (Goshogawara city, GPS: 40.912080, 140.451681)
Nearly 1,500 cherry trees surround Ashino Park. Seeing the cherry tree tunnel here is a must see.

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Saturday, April 20 – Monday, May 6, light-up time: sunset – 11 p.m.
Location: Hirosaki Park (GPS: 40.607483, 140.464184)

The first cherry trees were brought from Kyoto and planted in 1715. After many years, the park houses nearly 2,600 trees with more than 50 different types of cherry tree. It’s known as one of the top 100 cherry blossom sites in Japan.

Sakura Yabusame Festival
Date: Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Towada Green Park (GPS: 40.607483, 140.464184)
Yabusame is a traditional martial art featuring Archery while horseback riding. In spring, this event features a female-riders only competition with Japanese-bred horses under the cherry blossom trees.