One primary motivation to visit Japan in the springtime is the allure of its sakura cherry blossoms. This guide delves into the charm of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival held at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, renowned for its hanami (cherry blossom viewing). It also introduces nearby restaurants for visitors to try after enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
What Is the Hirosaki Sakura Festival?
What's more, inside Hirosaki Park lies Hirosaki Castle, a magnificent site designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Against the backdrop of this historic and imposing structure—comprising the castle tower, gates, bridges, and moats—the majestic cherry blossoms are literally the cherry on top.
In Aomori Prefecture, the cherry blossom season starts later than in other regions of Honshu (Japan's largest island), making it an ideal destination after exploring cherry blossoms in Kyoto or Tokyo. Stretching from north to south, the Japanese archipelago sees cherry blossoms typically grace Kyushu and the Kanto region from mid- to late-March. In contrast, for Aomori, in the northern tip of Honshu, cherry blossoms appear only in late April, so traveling the Japanese archipelago from north to south lets you spot many incredible sakura views.
The average temperature in April hovers around 10°C. Yet, from late April to early May, when cherry blossoms adorn the landscape in full splendor, temperatures soar to approximately 15°C during the day and plunge to around 5°C at night.
As presented below, bringing a coat is recommended for those planning to view cherry blossoms at night.
Don’t Miss the Hanaikada and the Illuminations!
Hanaikada refers to a raft-like formation created by cherry blossom petals drifting on the water's surface. Under the warm spring sunshine, the fully bloomed cherry blossoms scatter, painting the water in shades of pink.
To allow visitors to appreciate this breathtaking view up close, Hirosaki Park opens a portion of the outer moat bank, normally inaccessible, timed with the peak of cherry blossom season.
The nighttime illumination during the Hirosaki Sakura Festival is also a must-see alongside the hanaikada.
It takes place daily from sunset to 10:00 pm throughout the festival period. The water's surface mirrors the illuminated trees, making the contrast between the darkness of the night and the vibrant cherry blossoms simply enchanting.
In apple farming, branches are meticulously trimmed to spread horizontally so that each limb gets an equal amount of sunlight. This same care is applied to the cherry blossoms, resulting in grand flowers adorning each branch. The widely stretched, rich branches of the cherry trees create the grandeur of the park!
The fully blooming branches droop low under their own weight, creating a mesmerizing sight. Walking beneath the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park will surely take your breath away.
Recommended Restaurants Near Hirosaki Park
Dining Umi no Akari (Izakaya / Chuo Hirosaki)
Dining Umi no Akari was founded by a sea and fishing enthusiast. Here, you'll savor the freshest seafood, as they exclusively source their ingredients from the sea, never relying on frozen options. Depending on the day, you might find delicacies such as freshly caught fish from Hokkaido's Rishiri Island or even the owner's day catch!
Among their standout offerings are the [Assorted Sashimi] (Regular 1,000 JPY or Large 1,600 JPY) and the [Hair Crab Plate] (market price of 1,000 JPY).
The [Assorted Sashimi] presents a delightful trio of market-fresh selections, while the [Hairy Crab Plate] features succulent hair crab meat nestled within its shell, along with flavorful kani miso (crab intestines with a rich and addictive taste!). Dip the crab meat into soy sauce infused with kani miso to fully experience its deliciousness.
The interior design features various shades of blue, evoking the image of the sea and creating a refreshing space filled with cleanliness. The restaurant offers three private rooms, each with a different atmosphere—cute, modern, and traditional—allowing guests to choose according to their mood.
Their all-you-can-drink option includes a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, with a colorful array of cocktails available.
Dining Umi no Akari
Closed: If Monday is a holiday, Monday is a regular holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,800 JPY / [Lunch] 2,800 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Chuo Hirosaki Station on the Konan Railway Owani Line or a 20-minute walk from Hirosaki Station on the JR Ou Main Line
Address: Maruni Building, 2F-B, 95, Honcho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori Map
More Details Reservation
Okonomiyaki Bar PokaPoka (Chuo Hirosaki / Okonomiyaki & Monja)
Okonomiyaki is a dish made by grilling a batter of flour, eggs, vegetables, meat, seafood, or any other ingredients you may like on an iron griddle and serving it with a sauce. Monjayaki, on the other hand, is a variation of okonomiyaki batter mixed with water to achieve a diluted consistency. Although they are not fashionable dishes, they are extremely popular.
[Okonomiyaki Bar PokaPoka] specializes in okonomiyaki and monjayaki. Each table is equipped with an iron griddle, allowing guests to enjoy conversation while cooking their food in front of their eyes.
If you need help grilling your dish, don't worry! The staff will gladly teach you or even assist you in flipping the batter, ensuring a stress-free experience for first-timers.
The [PokaPoka Mix Okonomiyaki] (1,100 JPY) is their signature dish. It features a generous serving of pork, shrimp, octopus, squid, and fresh cabbage. This ultimate version of okonomiyaki ensures a crispy texture from locally sourced cabbage and a rich umami flavor from homemade broth.
Their robustly flavored okonomiyaki and monjayaki pair perfectly with various alcoholic beverages such as beer, shochu, highball, cocktails, and wine. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal with a drink in hand!
The restaurant's casual atmosphere, coupled with individual ducts at each table for ample ventilation, ensures a comfortable dining experience.
Gather around the iron griddle and enjoy a pleasant meal in company.
Okonomiyaki Bar PokaPoka
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Chuo Hirosaki Station on the Konan Railway Owani Line
Address: Jotokaku, 11, Kajimachi, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori Map
More Details Reservation
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