Spending the sakura season up in Iwate may not be the first destination that comes to mind as you plan your spring trip around Japan, but can anywhere else really compare? Despite being easily accessible from Tokyo and having gorgeous sights, Iwate Prefecture is much less visited by foreign tourists than Kyoto, Osaka, and other iconic sightseeing destinations.

Iwate is the perfect blend of striking nature with immersive culture that will have you wishing that the sakura stuck around just a little longer so you could savor Iwate a tad more.

In Japan, the cherry blossoms bloom from south to north, giving Iwate a considerably later bloom date than Kyoto or Tokyo.

In 2025, cherry blossoms in Iwate are forecasted to start blooming around April 18, with full bloom predicted around April 24.

The cherry blossom season lasts roughly two weeks, however, cooler areas, such as the mountains, may still be in bloom into late April in case you do not make it in time.

With 15,278 sq km of sprawling land, making Iwate the second largest prefecture in terms of land area, this northern paradise is overflowing with hidden gems that highlight the natural splendor of the region. With mountains, gorges, plateaus, and parks galore, Iwate’s cherry blossom season brings out the very best of what the prefecture has to offer and provides a haven for those who wish to enjoy the serenity of the sakura without the stress of the crowds.

Stretching along the Kitakami River, Kitakami Tenshochi Park is one of the most famous cherry blossom locations in Iwate, with the Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival bringing thousands to the city each year. The park explodes with over 10,000 cherry trees, creating a breathtaking corridor of pink and white blossoms that set the perfect backdrop for traditional performances, local food stalls, and evening illuminations that make the cherry blossoms glow under the night sky. The park's 2-kilometer-long cherry tree-lined pathway offers a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls, picnics, and boat rides, while the vibrant sakura tunnel and petal-filled river create an ethereal atmosphere. Next to the park is the Michinoku Folklore Village, which has 28 preserved historical buildings such as the homes of samurai, Edo period merchants, and farmers.

Chūsonji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Hiraizumi and is a historical and cultural epicenter renowned for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance. Founded in 850 by the Buddhist priest Ennin, the temple complex became the center of the Tendai sect in northern Japan. Its most famous structure, the Konjikidō, or "Golden Hall," is an exquisite, gold-covered sanctuary that houses numerous Buddhist statues and artifacts, exemplifying the opulence of Heian period art and craftsmanship. During the spring, the road leading up to the magnificent temple transforms into a rosy tunnel of blooms, drawing visitors enticed by the balance of spirituality and nature.

Morioka City originally popped up as a castle town, built around the iconic Morioka-jo Castle in 1633. Although the castle no longer exists in its former glory, today it serves as a public park, offering a glimpse into Japan's feudal past. Today, the park preserves the stone foundations and remnants of the original castle, surrounded by lush greenery and beautifully landscaped grounds. Spring brings forth the season for picnics, strolls, and photography under the iconic pink petals. The park also offers panoramic views of Mount Iwate and the Kitakami River, adding to its picturesque charm. Amongst the modern city of Morioka, this historic stronghold brings the past to the present, and connects us all to our roots, no matter where we come from.

Right across from the castle is Ishiwarizakura, the Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree. Just as no trip to Tokyo would be complete without seeing Tokyo Tower, a trip to Iwate without seeing the iconic Ishiwarizakura could hardly be counted as visiting the prefecture at all! Located in front of the Morioka District Court, this remarkable cherry tree has grown from a crack in a massive granite boulder, symbolizing nature's resilience and tenacity. Estimated to be over 400 years old, the tree blooms each spring, creating a stunning contrast between its delicate pink blossoms and the rugged stone it splits. While Iwate may not be as populated or busy during the sakura season as other prefectures, Ishiwarizakura is the one tourist spot that is prone to crowding during the limited time frame that it blooms each year, so see it while you can!

Hanamaki Onsen Village is a pleasant little cluster of hot springs located in the western part of Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. Each offering a unique and relaxing experience, these hot springs sit unassumingly along the scenic Dai and Toyosawa Rivers, providing a serene backdrop for visitors looking to escape the stress of everyday life. While staying at any one of the fine 12 hot spring hotels is a treat, for those staying at Hanamaki Hotel, springtime is just a little sweeter as the cherry blossoms on the grounds are especially spectacular. What could be better than laying out in an open air onsen, staring up at a sky crowded by pink blossoms? Due to the geographic conditions of the town, the flowers in Hanamaki bloom about a week later than in the central towns of Hanamaki and Morioka, making for a great last-ditch effort in case you’ve missed the sakura season altogether.

Tsuriyama Park is another local park in Iwate where history and nature enjoy a perfect marriage. Plopped in the middle of Ichinoseki City, the now-park once was home to Ichinoseki Castle until it took up its current tenure as a place where families, friends, locals, and tourists could all get together and share a laugh and a drink under a cherry blossom canopy. True to its strategic castle origins, the park is elevated on the top of a hill, giving park-goers a lovely overlook out over the city. At night, the trees are lit up and the many benches and tables encourage visitors to pack a bento for a pleasant picnic in the park. In the event you don’t make it out to Ichinoseki in the spring, the park is also renowned for its burning red fall foliage in the autumn as well.

One of the most popular day trips out of Morioka, Koiwai Farm is one of the oldest and most well-known dairy farms in the entire country. Founded in 1891 as an industrialization project, Koiwai Farm covers approximately 3,000 hectares, with two-thirds of the area dedicated to lush cedar forests and the remaining third allocated to farmland. This farmland includes pastures, farm buildings, and various facilities designed for tourists. While the attraction of many sakura spots around Iwate is the sheer volume of cherry blossom trees, Koiwai Farm is quite the opposite with just one lone sakura tree out in an emerald green pasture. Juxtaposed against a snow-capped Mt. Iwate in the background, the lone cherry blossom tree of Koiwai Farm has become an icon in itself and teases an elegant, somber sort of beauty that has become coveted especially by photographers in recent years.

Named one of the top 100 cherry blossom-viewing spots in Japan, Takamatsu Park is just another reason on the ever-expanding list of reasons why you need to pay Morioka City a visit. The soft pink pastels of the cherry blossom trees dynamically exposed in front of the crisp, cool snow-capped face of Mt. Iwate are unreal, and the reflection of the pair on the water face could never be done justice by any photograph. The park is a popular place for locals to spend their precious spring days, and birdwatchers, be warned as you may be in for a treat! The park is home to 1,260 sakura trees, and swan boats can be rented for an immersive lap around the pond as you take in the sight.

Designed in 1878, this historic park in Oshu City is home to approximately 450 cherry trees, including varieties such as Somei Yoshino, Shidarezakura, and Edohigan. Among its highlights is a group of Higanzakura trees, estimated to be around 350 years old, which has been designated as a Natural Monument by Iwate Prefecture. The Mizusawa Park Flower Festival, running from mid-April to early May, features food stalls and illuminated cherry trees at night. This park might be a particularly good pick for families with young children as it has a playground, a community center, a single basketball hoop, a soccer field, a baseball stadium, and a small animal area that houses peacocks and a monkey. To start the season off with some extra luck, a small shrine near the park sells charms and ema tablets during the festival period as well.

Geibikei Gorge is the crown jewel of Iwate Prefecture and is a stunning display of natural and scenic beauty, found in just a handful of places across the globe. This dynamic gorge is characterized by its striking rock formations and lush greenery, carved by the Iwai River over millennia. The 200 Edo Higan cherry blossom trees that line the gorge are said to have been planted long ago, with one in particular by the order of the feudal lord Date Masamune. Taking a tranquil boat ride drifting peacefully down the crystal-clear waters, offering up-close views of the gorge’s towering cliffs may have travelers rubbing their eyes in wonder if they are still in a dream or if reality really does have experiences in store for them that edge this close to the extraordinary.

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

Morioka is a great city to get out and explore by foot! Relatively flat and with a vibrant city center, the spring is a particularly lovely time to stroll around the prefectural capital with ease.

If you don’t feel like walking, the Dendenmushi Loop Bus provides convenient transportation around downtown Morioka, traveling in both directions. This bus service includes a stop at the castle ruins park, among other destinations. Buses run every 20 minutes in each direction. The fare is 120 yen per ride, with an option for a 1-day pass priced at 350 yen.

For other parts of the prefecture, however, local trains and buses run between smaller towns and cities but come at varied intervals, requiring planning and patience. As with many rural parts of Japan, if you are thinking of taking a step off the beaten path, it is recommended that you rent a car for maximum freedom.