Modern hanami parties can take place during the day or night, and often includes bento box meals or barbecue and beer or sake. Most parties bring chairs and karaoke machines or music and spend much of the day enjoying the spring weather and falling cherry blossoms. Many viewing sites hang paper lanterns from the trees, making night hanami parties even more spectacular.

Given the importance of the cherry blossom in Japanese culture, it is no wonder that the Japanese Meteorological

Agency tracks the sakura zensen, or cherry blossom front. The blossoming can begin as early as January in Okinawa, and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the

end of March. Blossoms can typically be seen in late April in the Misawa area.

Hirosaki Park on the Hirosaki Castle Grounds

With over 5,000 cherry blossom trees on the castle grounds, Hirosaki is one of the most popular sakura viewing sites in all of Japan. Since the castle grounds are about a three hour drive from Misawa, it is one of the easiest festivals to get to for Misawa AB residents. The cherry blossom festival is held annually from 23 April through 5 May. See page 12 for more information on the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival ITT tour.

Tenschochi Park in Kitakami

Kitakami is approximately a two and half hour drive south of Misawa and is located in the Iwate prefecture. Almost 10,000 cherry trees blossom along a two kilometer path following the Kitakami River. In addition to the cherry trees, almost 100,000 azaleas color the park. While it is most known for sakura viewing, Tenschochi Park is beautiful, no matter which season you are visiting.

Takamatsu Park in Morioka

Takamatsu Park is located in the ruins of Takamatsu Castle. The castle is one of only three castles in Japan completely surrounded by moats. Over 90 cherry blossom trees are located in the southern part of the castle ruins, which was once used to train horses.

Ashino National Park in Goshogawara

Ashino National Park is located on Ashino-ko Lake in Goshogawara, and is about a two and half hour drive from Misawa AB. The festival at Ashino Park is call Kanagi Sakuramatsuri and is held from 29 April to 5 May. Over 2,300 sakura trees are planted in the park. Those looking for less crowds may find Ashino Park to be a better choice for cherry blossom viewing. There is no admission fee and parking is available for festival-goers.

Why cherry blossoms?

What is hanami?

When are the blossoms in bloom?

Hanami is the practice of picnicking under a blooming sakura tree, though this custom originated with blooming Japanese plum trees, called ume. The practice of hanami was traditionally limited to the elite of the Imperial Court, but quickly spread to the samurai society, and consequently, the rest of the population.

さくらTop Sakura Viewing Locations in Northern Japan

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of

several tree species in Japan. Due to the short, yet beautiful life

cycle of the sakura, it is seen as a symbol of the human life cycle in Japanese culture. For this reason, the sakura is often seen on many

Japanese goods, including kimonos, dishes,

and currency.

It's Cherry Blossom Season!

By: Sarah Harper