【Aizu】6 Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots to Visit in Spring

Every spring, cherry blossoms bloom across the Aizu region of Fukushima, covering the area in soft pink and creating some of Japan’s most picturesque seasonal scenery. In this guide, we share six of the best cherry blossom spots in Aizu, plus recommended ryokan close to each location, making it easy to plan a comfortable and memorable spring trip.

1.Tsuruga Castle

Tsuruga Castle is the most famous landmark in Aizuwakamatsu City and is easy to recognize by its red-roofed main tower. About 1,000 cherry trees, mainly Somei Yoshino, bloom across the castle grounds each spring. The site is listed among Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and during cherry blossom season, the area around the castle turns soft pink, making it one of the best and most popular places to see sakura in Aizu.

Tsuruga Castle offers many beautiful ways to enjoy cherry blossoms. Popular highlights include the cherry blossom tunnel around the Ninomaru area, views of fully blooming trees rising above the stone walls, and the illuminated night cherry blossoms after sunset, which create a magical atmosphere. During the illumination period, the Honmaru Lawn is sometimes opened to the public for a limited time. In some years, a special lighting event called “My Light” is also held in the Obikuruwa area, allowing visitors to change the color of the lights using their smartphones. This makes it possible to enjoy very different scenery during the day and at night. Please note that event details and illumination schedules change every year, so be sure to check the latest information before your visit.

2.Yunokami-Onsen Station

Yunokami-Onsen Station is a unique station on the Aizu Railway, famous for its thatched-roof station building, which is very rare in Japan. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom around the station and across the surrounding mountains, creating a peaceful scene that feels straight out of a traditional Japanese folktale. The station building itself looks like an old farmhouse, with exposed wooden beams and natural wood textures. Inside the waiting room, there is an irori (traditional sunken hearth) where passengers can sit and relax freely. The gentle scent of wood and the warm, local atmosphere make this small station especially charming. Cherry blossoms, the thatched roof, and the soft pink colors of the mountains behind the station come together as one beautiful landscape. The late morning to afternoon light, when sunlight falls at an angle, is particularly ideal for photography, creating soft and warm tones.

This station has long been popular with railway fans and photographers, as it offers a nostalgic rural atmosphere unique to local train lines. Recommended shots include:

• Aizu Railway trains slowly arriving through cherry blossoms
• Trains passing in front of the station surrounded by blooming sakura
• Evening light casting warm orange tones and cherry blossom shadows onto the platform

Each time of day offers a different mood and photo opportunity.
There are small walking paths around the station, and with just a short stroll, you can enjoy both cherry blossoms and a scenic gorge. Visiting together with views along the nearby Ōkawa River (Agano River) allows you to experience the calm and pastoral spring scenery typical of the Minami-Aizu region.

3. Sakura Pass

Sakura Pass is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Urabandai (Kitashiobara Village). Spread across rolling hills, this large cherry blossom area is home to around 3,000 Oyama-zakura trees, making it one of the largest cherry blossom sites in the region.

Planting began in the early 2000s, with a local community project aimed at preserving beautiful scenery for future generations. Each tree was carefully planted by hand, and today Sakura Pass has become a symbolic spring landscape of Urabandai, attracting visitors from both inside and outside Fukushima Prefecture.

What makes Sakura Pass truly special is the view of waves of cherry blossoms filling your entire field of vision. Oyama-zakura are known for their deeper pink color, which gives the hills a soft reddish tone even from a distance. Compared to the lighter Somei Yoshino, these blossoms stand out beautifully against the vast natural scenery of Urabandai.

The gentle walking paths across the hills are easy to navigate, and cherry trees appear layered and three-dimensional from almost every angle—perfect for photography. Popular photo ideas include:

• Shooting uphill to capture a “wall” of cherry blossoms
• Taking a wide shot from higher ground to show a sea of cherry blossoms
• Framing Mount Bandai through cherry blossoms for a classic landscape photo

Simply changing your viewpoint reveals completely different scenery.

While Sakura Pass is busiest on weekends during peak bloom, the area is very spacious, so it rarely feels crowded. This makes it easy to take your time and enjoy photography at a relaxed pace. Soft morning light and the warm tones of late afternoon are especially beautiful, making this a spot you can enjoy for hours without getting bored.

4.Kannonji River

Kannonji River is a popular cherry blossom spot located near Lake Inawashiro. About 1 kilometer of cherry trees line both sides of the river, creating a beautiful path for a spring walk. In peak season, the branches stretch over the water, making it feel like you are walking under a cherry blossom arch. The river is narrow and calm, so cherry blossoms are clearly reflected on the water, and fallen petals often float slowly downstream.

There are open areas along the river where you can see Mount Bandai in the background. On sunny days, the contrast between the pale pink blossoms and the remaining snow on the mountain is especially beautiful. In the evening, the river turns warm orange as the sun sets, and the cherry blossoms take on a deeper color. The sound of the river and the changing light create a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The walking path is flat and easy to use, making this spot ideal for families, couples, and first-time visitors.

5.Ishibe Cherry Blossom

Ishibe Sakura is a single cherry tree standing in Aizuwakamatsu City. It is an Edo-higan cherry tree said to be around 650 years old, making it one of the oldest cherry trees in the Aizu region. The tree also appeared in the opening scene of the Japanese TV drama Yae no Sakura and is loved as one of Aizu’s most iconic cherry blossoms. The tree stands alone in the middle of open rice fields, with almost no buildings around it. Because of this, you can clearly see the beautiful shape of its wide, spreading branches from any direction. The strong trunk and large branches show the long history of the tree, and it is often described as “a cherry tree that creates a landscape all by itself.” When in full bloom, soft pink flowers gently cover the entire tree, giving it a calm and dignified beauty.

Ishibe Sakura looks very different depending on the time of day. In the early morning, gentle light from the surrounding mountains shines on the tree, creating a quiet and peaceful scene. Morning dew on the nearby fields makes the cherry blossoms stand out even more. In the late afternoon and at sunset, warm sunlight colors the blossoms, and the sky slowly turns deep blue. The silhouette of the tree at this time is especially beautiful and popular with photographers.

6. Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossoms

The Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom Promenade is one of Kitakata City’s most well-known cherry blossom spots. This approximately 3-kilometer-long walking path was created on the former tracks of the old Japanese National Railways’ Nicchu Line and is lined with more than 1,000 weeping cherry trees.

During peak bloom, the long, drooping branches stretch overhead like a tunnel, creating a unique scene that feels as if you are walking beneath a soft pink veil of blossoms. Many of the trees are mature, with large, spreading branches, and together with the long distance of the promenade, the view is both powerful and impressive. As you walk, sunlight filters through the branches, blossoms sway gently in the breeze, and their shadows move across the path, giving the scenery a vivid, almost breathing presence.

Around the SL Exhibition Area, which preserves the atmosphere of the former Nicchu Line, old train cars that once ran on the line are on display. In some sections, parts of the original railway tracks remain, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms alongside a nostalgic railway landscape. The best viewing season is usually from mid to late April, slightly later than many other cherry blossom spots. The promenade is close to central Kitakata, making it easy to combine with sightseeing in the city.

Summary

A single cherry tree glowing in the morning light, petals reflected on the surface of a river, and nostalgic scenes where cherry blossoms meet old railway lines. Each location offers a different spring story that will leave a lasting impression on your journey.

On your next trip to Japan, be sure to visit Aizu. A quiet, beautiful cherry blossom season—rich in nature, history, and atmosphere—will be waiting for you.