Akita Prefecture is a treasure trove of cherry blossom spots, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. While easily accessible via train, Akita is off the typical sightseeing route for many foreign visitors, making it a perfect place to explore away from the crowds.

Whether you’re exploring the historical streets of Kakunodate or enjoying a peaceful moment by the pond in Mato Park, Akita’s cherry blossoms are sure to captivate your heart. Akita may not be as famous or well-known as some of the big cities in Japan. But its local charm, beautiful nature, and friendly citizens speak for themselves, all inviting you to take a trip to Akita in the spring.

As with other sakura spots in northern Japan, the cherry blossom season in Akita is later than in Tokyo and Kyoto. It typically starts in mid-April and lasts until early May. However, the exact timing can vary slightly each year based on weather conditions.

In 2025, Akita's cherry blossoms will start flowering around April 17 and are expected to reach full bloom around April 21.

Akita offers a variety of enchanting locations that are each worth the journey. These spots are unparalleled, offering experiences and sights that you won't find anywhere else in Japan. The following list highlights some of the most captivating places in Akita, each promising a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Kakunodate, often called the “Little Kyoto of Tohoku,” is likely to be a local’s first spot that comes to mind when asked for cherry blossom spots in Akita Prefecture. Known for its well-preserved samurai district and stunning cherry blossoms, this historical area features beautifully maintained samurai residences, offering a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past.

During cherry blossom season, Kakunodate transforms into a picturesque wonderland as scores of sakura trees bloom along its streets and riverbanks. The contrast of the elegant weeping cherry trees (shidare zakura) with their cascading blossoms against the traditional dark wooden architecture creates an enchanting atmosphere that transports visitors back in time. Likewise, the Somei Yoshino cherry trees stretching along a picturesque two-kilometer path beside the Hinokinaigawa River make for an unreal photo that will have friends and family members green with envy.

When it comes to fashion, pink and yellow might clash like lightning, but in the world of flowers, they sure seem to hit like thunder!

Sakura Nanohana Road is a picturesque 11-kilometer road along which you can see cherry blossoms alongside fields of bright yellow rapeseed flowers (nanohana). This vibrant combination of colors creates a stunning visual feast perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Although there is not much to do and see other than the flowers along the road, taking a nice drive, a scenic endeavor, and being surrounded by flowers on all sides is as refreshing as it is pleasant.

Located along the Hinokinai River, Hinokinaigawa Tsutsumi Park features a gorgeous two-kilometer stretch of over 400 cherry blossoms that roar to life in the springtime. In spring 1934, the park’s cherry trees were planted to honor the birth of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who was born on December 23, 1933. Over the years, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the local community, these same trees have been preserved for each generation to enjoy.

The striking beauty of the park’s cherry blossoms earned them a place among Japan’s “100 Best Spots for Cherry Blossoms” in the past. During the peak season, the park attracts 1.3 million visitors annually, earning it additional recognition as a designated Place of Scenic Beauty by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Apart from the stunning cherry blossoms, the Hinokinaigawa River, with its clear, clean waters, is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts hoping to catch sweetfish (ayu). Fishing permits are required and can be obtained from several local shops. For those who don’t want to cast a rod, roasted ayu is a springtime delicacy sold in many restaurants nearby.

Senshu Park, situated in the heart of Akita City, is built on the ruins of Kubota Castle and is a testament to show that beauty can rise from ruin. The 200,000 stone castle belonging to the Sakate clan of the Akita Domain was first erected in 1604; however, it was subsequently destroyed and repaired multiple times before its eventual demise during the Meiji Restoration. In 1890, the government handed the desolate castle grounds back to the Satake clan, who, in return, generously donated the main bailey and second bailey back to Akita City, transforming the once barren site into a vibrant public park for all to enjoy.

In 1892, 1,170 cherry blossom trees were planted, and a new shrine was built on the site of the castle. Renamed “Senshu Park” in 1896, the park is home to a variety of cherry trees that beautifully frame the park’s historical structures, ponds, and bridges. Visitors can learn more about the castle at the small history museum inside the cornerstone yagura (turret), and a number of civic buildings, including the Akita City Library, Akita Civic Center, Akita Museum of Art, and the Akita Omoriyama Zoo, are all nearby.

Although Yokote is well known for its 450-year-old snow festival, spring holds its own pleasantries in the form of petals upon petals of sakura. The park hosts an annual Yokote Park cherry blossom festival, which includes traditional Japanese performances and food stalls, making it perfect for a picnic. The park’s hilltop location offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it a popular spot for both daytime and nighttime hanami.

Like many other public parks in Japan, Yokote Park stands on the remains of a former castle, tying the past to the present. Currently, a three-story castle tower-style observation deck stands on the ruins of Yokote Castle’s Ninomaru, now serving as a local museum. From this vantage point, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Yokote Basin, with the majestic Mt. Chokai providing a particularly stunning backdrop during cherry blossom season.

Seishi Park is a hidden gem known for being one of the earliest places in Akita to see cherry blossoms bloom. The park’s 1,000 cherry trees bloom around a serene pond, creating a peaceful and picturesque scene enhanced by a proud snow-capped Mt. Chokai in the background.

Each April, over 50,000 visitors pass through the park to catch sight of the dynamic mountain framed by delicate flowers, and picnics and parties among friends and family are the seasonal highlights of many. On weekends during the peak season, special events are held, and in the evening, the trees are lit up until 9:00 PM.

Two thousand sakura trees blanket this park in Minamiakita County with their majestic petals during the spring, inviting locals and visitors to spend time outdoors, laugh, and play. Nihon Kokkaen was collectively built in 1970 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun to Europe, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Akita Prefecture, and the construction of Ikawa Elementary School. When Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, visited Europe, cherry blossoms of the same variety were sent to and planted in seven European countries as a sign of friendship and diplomacy.

Across nearly 40 hectares of open space, in addition to the cherry blossom trees, a lawn area, and a putting golf course, there are tennis courts, a rose garden, and azalea and other flower and tree gardens. These make the park the perfect place to relax and take in the fresh Tohoku air! A number of large animal sculptures keep the park interesting and great for little ones to explore.

Honjō Park is another fantastic castle-turned-park to enjoy cherry blossoms in Akita. Built in 1610 on a hilltop, Honjō Castle was eventually destroyed during the Boshin War by the Shonai Domain. A unique element of the castle’s construction is that rather than masonry, the second and third baileys of the castle are made from earthwork and surrounded by moats.

The park’s spacious grounds and numerous cherry trees make it ideal for family outings and large gatherings. During the cherry blossom season, the park hosts various events, such as a festival, which adds to its atmosphere.

Resting peacefully at the base of Mt. Mato, Mato Park is widely known as one of the best sakura spots in Akita and is even recognized as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan! The park was built in 1617 in honor of the Taisho Emperor’s ascension to the throne, and over 2,000 Yoshino Somei cherry blossom trees call this park home.

The stand-out feature of this park and what sets it apart from all the others is the calming pond with an island floating in the center, juxtaposed with the tall looming figure of a pine tree-covered mountain. When the cherry blossoms start to fall after peak season, the whole surface of the pond turns pink, making leisurely rowing around in a boat the perfect activity for a spring day!

Kimimachizaka Prefectural Nature Park is located in a charming hilly area. From its vantage point, you can see the Yoneshiro River and the Shirakami Mountains. As the weather warms, the park holds its annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which, while not particularly well-known outside the region, is a great way to experience local life in a rural Japanese town. The festival celebrates the 400 cherry blossoms that come to life in the spring, and there are trails around the nature reserve where visitors can enjoy hiking.

If you cannot make it to Noshiro in April for the sakura, the Azalea Festival in May is the park’s main event. It has over 3,400 azalea bushes of 14 varieties that all bloom in a multitude of colors. There’s a park for the kids to play, so Noshiro is great for family outings. If you’re looking to take it slow and enjoy the pleasant weather during the spring, this quaint little town in Akita may just be for you.

Akita Prefecture is located in the northern Tohoku region of Japan and is easily accessible from many major cities.

Once in Akita, getting around is straightforward with a combination of trains, buses, and taxis. Keep in mind, however that this is not Tokyo, and certain transportation options may be available only on a limited schedule. For that reason, it is recommended that you plan your day ahead and factor in the train and bus schedule into your adventures.

Renting a car is also a popular option, providing more flexibility to explore the cherry blossom spots at your own pace.