spring

Spring is almost here! 4 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Akita!

What comes to mind when you see the pale pink cherry blossoms?
"Graduation"? "Entering school"?
Cherry blossoms are often associated with graduation in graduation songs, but that's in Tokyo. In snowy Akita, "lingering snow" is a more fitting seasonal word for graduation ceremonies than "cherry blossoms." The best
time to see cherry blossoms in Akita is from mid to late April in the southern part of the prefecture, and from late April to early May in the northern part.
Because Akita Prefecture is long and narrow from north to south, one of Akita's charms is that you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a long period by following the cherry blossom front.
Now, let's introduce some recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Akita, starting from the south.

Snow and cherry blossoms collaborating at Seishi Park

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Seishi Park in Konoura, Nikaho City, is famous as the park where cherry blossoms bloom earliest in Akita Prefecture.
With the snow-capped Mt. Chokai in the background, the rows of thousands of cherry trees surrounding the lake offer a spectacular view.
Furthermore, during the season, the atmosphere changes completely as the sun begins to set. The cherry blossoms, illuminated in various colors, reflect on the lake's surface
, creating a fantastical space. The sight is so beautiful that it feels as if you have wandered into another world, and you will find yourself forgetting the passage of time. It is said that the cherry trees in the park were originally planted by brave soldiers who fought in the Russo-Japanese War to celebrate their triumphant return. The
park is very crowded with many visitors, but it is a cherry blossom viewing spot that offers value well worth the wait.

Kakunodate Samurai Residences and the Legendary Weeping Cherry Blossoms

Kakunodate in Daisen City, known as "Little Kyoto of Michinoku," flourished as a castle town.
Its greatest attractions are the streetscape of samurai residences that have remained since the early Edo period, and the 162 weeping cherry trees, some over 300 years old, which are designated as a natural monument.
There is no such cherry tree variety as "weeping cherry," but it is a variant of the "Edo Higan cherry" whose branches, which should normally point upwards, droop downwards because they cannot withstand the weight. It is said that these originated from three cherry saplings brought from Kyoto by the wife of the second lord of the Satake clan when she got married, and after 350 years, they have grown into the "Kakunodate weeping cherry trees" we see today.
There are costume rental shops on the samurai residence street, where you can dress up as a samurai or Ono no Komachi. Why not take a stroll around in a rickshaw? You
might be able to feel the long history of 350 years.

Senshu Park, the heart of Akita

Senshu Park is a castle ruin park located in the heart of Akita City, surrounded by a magnificent moat and stone walls. Approximately 800 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, some over 110 years old, bloom throughout the grounds, and the park is listed among the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan" by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.
Kubota Castle, built by the first lord of the former Kubota Domain, the Satake clan, was destroyed by fire in 1880, but the atmosphere of the time remains, including the main gate of the main keep. The vast park grounds, developed in the second bailey, are a very popular spot for cherry blossom viewing parties, with fierce competition for spots taking place and the park bustling with many visitors enjoying sake and cherry blossoms.
Because it is located in the city center, the surrounding roads become very congested during the season.
It is recommended to prepare accordingly.

Kimimachi-Hanaka, where the ever-changing history sleeps

Located in Futatsui-cho, Noshiro City, in the northern part of Akita City, Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park is a magnificent natural park adjacent to the World Natural Heritage site of Shirakami Mountains, adorned with 1,500 Somei Yoshino and double-flowered cherry trees. It
was once a treacherous pass, a sheer cliff face with massive and unusual rock formations that deterred travelers. During the Sengoku period
, it served as a training ground for warrior monks, and during the Boshin War of the Meiji era, its terrain was utilized as the final line of defense, a testament to its rugged history. The natural beauty of the winding Yoneshiro River and the surrounding mountains, visible from the mountaintop, creates a unique landscape that is difficult to describe in words.
Later, during Emperor Meiji's tour, he was so moved by the scenery that he named the place "Kimimachizaka," after the Empress delivered a letter expressing her concern for the Emperor during his travels.
Thus, in stark contrast to its bloody history, it has now become a popular dating spot and the birthplace of a love letter contest.
During cherry blossom season, the area is illuminated at night, making it a recommended spot for couples to enjoy the blossoms.

The four cherry blossom viewing spots I've introduced so far are carefully selected from particularly famous locations in Akita.
There are still many more wonderful cherry blossom viewing spots in Akita, and just as many histories and stories associated with them.
Where there are cherry blossoms, there is history, and perhaps these long-lived cherry trees are merely bystanders watching the changing times.

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