Today I visited Hirosaki Castle Park, one of my favorite cherry blossom spots, in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. There are a number of cherry tree varieties at the park with around 1700 cherry trees. The cherry blossom viewing season is relatively long at Hirosaki Castle Park thanks to the numerous varieties. On my visit today, I found the mainstream Somei Yoshino trees to be at their best viewing especially around the outer moat area. The Somei Yoshino trees on the west side of the castle were still under the halfway mark to their best, but many of the buds looked like they needed only a day or two to open. I expect the best viewing to continue through this week, and the beautiful spectacle of petals falling - another highlight at Hirosaki Castle - to start around the beginning of next week.
Until May 5, there is a cherry blossom festival at Hirosaki Castle Park. Food, drink, games and souvenirs stalls can be found in the park during the festival period. From April 15 to 19, the cherry trees along the outer moat and along the sakura tunnel on the west side are illuminated from sunset to 23:00 (until 22:00 outside of these five days).
More people along the outer moat at around mid morning
Moat boat rides available at Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle and some cherry trees beside it
The castle keep will be moved back to its original position here later this year
Cordoned off area in preparation for moving the keep back to its original position
Castle and cherry blossoms combination never gets old
Close up of the blossoms in the area near the castle keep
Weeping cherry blossoms around the castle keep still closed
Mount Iwaki in its full glory
Japan's girth-iest Somei Yoshino cherry tree has a trunk width of 5.82 meters
The girth-y tree is still under halfway to full bloom
Walking in the Sannomaru lawn area where there are a number of cherry tree varieties
Still quiet early in the morning
Japan's oldest Somei Yoshino cherry tree (around 145 years old) had very few open blossoms when I was there
Cherry trees outside of the main castle keep area
Most Somei Yoshino flower buds produce 3-4 flowers, but the ones at Hirosaki Park typically produce 4-5. This particular one has seven flowers from the one bud
Festival food stalls and still closed cherry blossoms
Still too early for the stalls to open
Cherry blossoms that are still opening on the left and full bloom on the right
Before and after
Sakura tunnel on the west side of the castle grounds still need a day or two before reaching its best
Row boats available for rent
Cannot get enough of mountains and cherry blossoms
Close up of the cherry blossoms in the sakura tunnel
Looking down the cherry trees from the city hall rooftop
