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| Shiraishi River, Hirosaki Castle, Takada castle |
This year, cherry blossoms are forecast to open earlier than usual due to a warmer than average winter. For travellers worried they'll miss out on Hanami season, here are three destinations to find Japan's late-blooming cherry blossoms.
1.Shiraishi River, Miyagi
Shiraishi River is located in Miyagi, a prefecture on the north-east coast of Honshu. Here, 1200 cherry trees line an 8km stretch of riverbank, blooming from early to mid-April each year.
The Shiraishi River is considered one of Japan's most beautiful riverside Hanami destinations, with the snow-capped Zao Mountain Range providing a unique and dramatic backdrop to the soft cherry trees while you eat, drink and relax under the blossoms.
The area is loved by locals and tourists alike as it offers access to the Shiroishi Castle and Funaokajoshi Park, which was selected as one of Japan's top 100 Sakura spots. The park has a slope car that takes you through 305-metres tunnel of cherry trees to the parks highest point. Here you can overlook the Shiroishi River and its cherry tree-lined banks winding through the city from above, as well as the 24-metre tall white Kannon Statue at the mountain's peak.
How to get there: Shiraishi River is a three-minute walk from JR Ogawara Station.
2.Hirosaki Castle, Aomori
Hirosaki Castle is located in Aomori, Honshu's (Japan's main island) northernmost prefecture. Famed as being one of the top three best cherry blossom sights in the whole country, Hirosaki Park is home to 2600 trees and more than 50 different types of cherry blossoms which bloom each year from late April to early May.
Hirosaki Park is well-known for its 'Sakura Tunnel', where thousands of cherry blossom trees line the banks of the West Moat of the castle. As the flowers end their blooming cycle, the falling petals cover the waters of the moat, transforming it into a magnificent pink tunnel. At night the cherry blossom trees are illuminated and offer a breathtaking perspective on the Hirosaki Castle grounds.
How to get there: Hirosaki Castle can be accessed from JR Hirosaki Station. The park is a 30-minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride.
3.Takada Castle, Niigata
Takada Castle is located in Niigata, a prefecture on the west coast of Honshu. Takada Park is ranked as one of Japan's best cherry blossom night viewing destinations, consisting of close to 4000 cherry trees.
One of the most breathtaking locations in the 50-hectare park is the Takada Castle Triple Turret. Known as the park's symbol, the triple turret sees the castle, moat and cherry trees come together in one frame. At night, the illuminated Takada Castle and cherry trees are reflected onto the waters of the moat, offering scenes one might expect from a fairy tale.
How to get there: Takada Castle can be accessed from JR Joetsumyoko Station. The park is about a 35-minute walk from the station.
About East Japan Railway Company
The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) operates trains including the Shinkansen (high-speed bullet trains) in the East Japan region. The company is the largest passenger railway company in Japan, serving around 17 million people every day and their network covers the half of the main island of Honshu, from the Tokyo metropolis to multiple areas in Eastern Japan. Apart from the main railway business, JR East Japan also operates various other establishments such as shopping malls, retail shops, restaurants and hotels as well as managing office buildings.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.eastjapanrailway.com/2020-spring/
About the JR EAST PASS
The JR EAST PASS is a special discount pass for international visitors to Japan (limited to those entering on a short term 90-day visa). Pass holders can get unlimited access to all JR East Japan Railways (Shinkansen bullet trains), affiliated railway companies and JR buses for 5 days within the period of 14 days from the date of issue of the pass. Visitors arriving into Narita or Haneda Airport can start their holidays by using the pass to head straight out to the beautiful and lesser-known Tohoku region and multiple other locations throughout Eastern Japan. We hope visitors will enjoy their trip to Japan with this great deal, the JR EAST JAPAN PASS!
JR East Fares & Passes
https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/pass/index.html
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