PAVAN MICKEY: Hirosaki Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Hirosaki Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossom is speculated to be native to the Himalayas. Currently it is widely distributed, especially in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere such as: Europe, West Siberia, South Korea, China, Japan, United States, etc. Hirosaki City in Aomori prefecture is located in the northern tip of the main Honshu island, Japan. Hirosaki Park which surrounds the castle is home to more than 2,500 cherry trees making it one of the best spots to view the beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan. Over a million people enjoy the park’s cherry blossoms every year. In 1700's Cherry trees were first planted around Hirosaki Castle, but It is said that the numbers of trees was desolated at one time, but the many of trees has planted over in the beginning of the 1900's, thanks to people of japan to help for making Hirosaki Castle as beautiful as it is now. The annual Hirosaki Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival is held from April 23 to May 6 when the blossoms are at their absolute peak. The park bustles with people enjoying rental boats, stalls and the illumination of cherry blossoms at night.

Photo credit Shinya ICHINOHE

Hirosaki Castle and its cherry blossoms are known as one of the best scenic spots in Japan, listed in the “100 best spots for cherry blossoms in Japan” selected by the government, “Japan’s 100 scenic spots where people and nature blend in harmony” and also listed in “Japan’s Top 100 Castles”.

Hirosaki Castle is an ancient castle located in Hirosaki, southwest Aomori Prefecture on the northern tip of the main island of Honshu in Japan. The historic town of Hirosaki was established in the feudal era by the Tsugaru clan and is today one of Tohoku’s cultural centres. The town flourished during the 17th century as a castle town with Hirosaki Castle its crowning jewel.