A Sea of Sakura. A River of Cherry Blossoms

Cities in the Tohoku area usually welcome their first blossom from early April to early May according to sakura zensen, a forecast of when and where the blossoms arrive each year. Tohoku’s ever-changing seasonal beauty is no secret. However, this is especially true for the cold northern region of Japan known as Tohoku. Sakura trees hold a very special meaning to the people there. Arriving late and leaving just as swift, this beautiful moment in time is Tohoku’s spring.

Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park sakura and Matsushima Miyagi – Matsushima 260 islets, large and small, are scattered throughout Matsushima Bay, one of three great views of Japan, and a site worth visiting. Inspired by his love for cherry blossoms, the renowned 12 th century Japanese poet, Saigyo Hoshi, penned the poem, “Let Me Die Under the Blossoms in Spring”. From this garden named after a leg of Saigyo’s journey, the bursting blossoms of the Somei Yoshino cherry trees mingle with the green pine trees and the blue waters of Matsushima bay. Address: 10-174 Inuta, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi

Kitakami Tenshochi Iwate The Kitakami River is home to quite a few hundredyear-old somei yoshino cherry blossoms. Nearby, the hill known as Jingaoka is the perfect vantage point for the famous two-kilometer-long tunnel of ten thousand-odd sakura trees of Tenshochi Park. Established in the 1920s, the park was meant as a sanctuary for the locals to rest and relax. A total of 150 species of sakura trees, including somei yoshino and Edohiganzakura (the oldest type of sakura), have been planted there.

During the annual Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival (mid April to early May), colourful carp-shaped streamers that embody the hopes for the health and futures of young boys flutter in the wind above the river, performing a duet with the sakura in full bloom to decorate the riverside. Address: 10 Chiwari, Tachibana, Kitakami-shi, Iwate

Matsushima is famous for fresh seafood

koinobori (carp streamers) flying over Kitakami River

Cherry Blossoms along the banks of Hinokinaigawa River Akita A two-kilometer-long stretch of around 400 sakura trees lines the bank of the Hinokinai River which runs through Kakunodate. Every year, this samurai town plays host to a cherry blossom festival. Address: Kakunodate-machi, Semboku-shi, Akita