Festivals & Events
Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival 北上展勝地さくらまつり
Welcome in spring under a canopy of cherry blossom
The Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year from mid-April to early May in Kitakami Tenshochi Park 
. Considered one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku , along with Hirosaki in Aomori and Kakunodate in Akita , Tenshochi is a visual delight.
Don't Miss
- Strolling through a tunnel of pink
- The food and local products available throughout the park during the festival
How to Get There
Access the park by foot or taxi from the nearest train station, Kitakami Station.
It is a 20-minute walk from the east exit of Kitakami Station. By taxi, the fare should be around 1,000 yen if there is no traffic.
Quick Facts
In 1990, Tenshochi Park was named as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan
The park covers 300 hectares
A tunnel of pink
At Kitakami Tenshochi Park , branches stretch out from the trees on both sides of the walkway to form a canopy. When in bloom, you can enjoy walking through this tunnel of pink buds.
As dusk sets in, lights flicker on to illuminate the pathway for cherry blossom viewing by night as well as day.
Cherry blossoms from the river
The cherry blossoms are joined by over 300 colorful carp streamers hung from one side of the Kitakami River to the other. Take a riverboat cruise to see the Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura Festival from another angle and pass under the carp streamers, which flutter beautifully when the wind blows.
Not just cherry blossoms
The festival isn't all about the pink petals. Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage along the cherry tree-lined pathways and fill up on festival food. One of the most popular items at the festival is the Kitakami Croquette. The croquette contains beef, pork, taro root, and asparagus. All the ingredients are produced in the Kitakami area . Grab one from one of the many food vendors around the park.
An old-school wooden wrap
One of the more unique things that you can buy at the Tenshochi Rest House is thinly sliced wood used to wrap rice balls, fermented beans, fish and other food. In the old days paper was expensive, so people would use thin slices of wood to wrap and carry food. Note that the thinly sliced wood is sold separately from the food.
Have a look around
You can spend a whole day or just a few hours at the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival. If you have time, visit the Michinoku Folklore Village and the Kitakami City Museum, both within walking distance.
The latest information may differ, so please check the official website
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.
Recommended for You
