Welcome back the spring with new teachers, new students and blooming cherry blossoms! This month cherry blossom events are happening in various locations across the Prefecture. While you can see cherry blossoms just about anywhere, there is something special about gathering under the trees with friends, drinks and festival food.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing at Kaiseizan Park in Koriyama
Date: Sunday April 3rd – Sunday April 24th
Area: Kaiseizan Park in Koriyama
Time: All day!
Address: Kaiseizan Park ( 開成山公園)
963-8851 Fukushima Prefecture, Koriyama, Kaiseizan 1-5
Details: Spread out a blanket, order some Domino’s Pizza from the delivery guy wandering around the park (done it!), and relax under some cherry blossoms! This spacious park boasts 1,300 cherry blossom trees and is considered one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in the prefecture.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing in Aizuwakamatsu City
Date: Friday, April 8th – Sunday, May 8th
Area: Tsurugajo Castle, Aizuwakamatsu City
Address: 1-1 Ōtemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken 965-0873 (福島県会津若松市追手町1-1)
Details: Enjoy cherry blossoms within the castle grounds and various events throughout the month, including tea ceremonies, sake tasting and more. You also have the unusual opportunity to enjoy the blossoms right next to a castle. It makes for great pictures!
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Cherry Blossom Festival in Soma City
Date: Friday, April 8th – Sunday, April 17th
Area: Soma City
Time: All day
Address: Baryo Park (馬陵公園)
〒976-0042, 福島県相馬市中村北町
Kitamachi Nakamura, Sōma-shi, Fukushima-ken 976-0042
Details: Check out another popular spot to view cherry blossoms in Baryo Park in Soma City with 600 cherry trees that are lit up at night.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing in Date City
Date: Saturday April 9th – Sunday April 17th
Area: Date City
Time: All day
Address: Yanagawa Kibo-no-Mori Park (やながわ希望の森公園)
Uchiyama-1 Yanagawamachi, Date-shi, Fukushima-ken 960-0600
福島県伊達市梁川町字内山1
Details: In Date City you can enjoy over 2,000 blooming cherry trees, stage events, appetizing food and even an old steam engine that will take you along the trees in the park for 300 yen one way or 500 for round trip. At night, the cherry trees are lit up to give guests a unique nighttime scenery.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing in Ishikawa City
Date: Saturday April 9th – Sunday April 24th
Area: Ishikawa City
Time: All day
Address: Asahi Park (あさひ公園)
〒243-0014 Kanagawa Prefecture, Atsugi 旭町1-122 あさひ公園
Details: Enjoy a picnic or a walk in the park under the cherry blossoms. While there will be food stalls available every day, the main stage events are planned for April 16th and 17th. There will also be a free shuttle bus which you can ride around the park and enjoy the blossoms (available only on the weekends).
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Fukushima Projection Mapping Festival
Date: Friday, April 15th – Saturday, April 16th
Area: Shirakawa City
Time: 6:20pm; 7pm; 7:40pm; 8:20pm
Price: Free, but reservation is required
Address: In front of the Ishikawa Station
Details: After the huge success of Aizuwakamatsu’s projection mapping, the entertainment has spread to Shirakawa City. Started in an effort to support Fukushima after the 2011 disasters, this projection mapping will now be held in Shirakawa City as well. The images will be orchestrated to three carefully selected songs. You can sign up on the website and get tickets for up to five people.
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Date: Every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday from April 16th – May 5th
Area: Aizuwakamatsu City
Address: Tsurugajo Castle grounds
1-1 Ōtemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken 965-0873
福島県会津若松市追手町1-1
Details: Stepping through this historic market with the castle as a backdrop is not something to miss. Try some new food, buy crafts and enjoy the cherry blossoms over three weeks!