Greetings from Fukushima! We are staff from JR East, and are thrilled to finally welcome the arrival of Spring after a long Winter full of both excitement and challenges, such as record-breaking snowfall across Japan.
As sakura season approaches, we’re excited to share five stunning cherry blossom viewing spots from Fukushima! Cherry blossoms here typically bloom from early to mid-April, making Fukushima the perfect destination to extend your hanami trip and experience the iconic Spring scenery the Japan beyond just March. So without further ado, let’s go!
1. Hanamiyama Park(花見山公園): Fukushima’s most iconic sakura spot
Recommended period for sakura: Late March to Mid-April
As one of the most popular flower-viewing spots amongst locals, Hanamiyama Park (花見山公園) is a must-visit spot for cherry blossoms when you’re in Fukushima City. Here, you can find not only dozens of varieties of cherry blossoms, but also about 70 other types of flowers such as plum blossoms, peach blossoms, quince, and magnolia. This lineup of flowers blooms one after another, creating a flower-viewing experience that can stretch until the middle of April.
On clear days, the contrast between the Azuma Mountain Range (吾妻連峰) and the flowers is beautiful.
Although the area of Hanamiyama itself is considered private property, it was opened to the general public as Hanamiyama Park by its owner back in 1959. Today, the current fourth-generation owner continues to open it to the public for free while engaging in flower farming.
Hanamiyama Park (花見山公園)
Address: 17 Wataribara, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-8141
Access: 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Fukushima Station. In Spring 2025, the special shuttle bus service (花見山号) for Hanamiyama Park runs between 26 March to 17 April.
2. Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom Avenue (日中線しだれ桜並木)
Recommended period for sakura: Mid-April to late April
Take part in a local yet lively Spring festival with the Kitakata Cherry Blossom Festival (喜多方さくらまつり)! One of the highlights of this festival is the Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom (日中線しだれ桜並木), a walking promenade developed on a section of the former Nicchū Line, which was discontinued in 1984. About 1,000 weeping cherry trees, also known as shidarezakura, are lined along this walkway from north to south, stretching approximately 3 kilometres in length.
In the middle of the path, there is a spot where a steam locomotive has been put on display, and a popular photo spot where you can capture an image of a tunnel of cherry blossoms. During the peak season, this area is also illuminated at night and various shops in the city will offer limited seasonal menus to coincide with the festival.
Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom (日中線しだれ桜並木)
Address: 2 Oshikiri Higashi, Kitakata City, Fukushima 966-0095
Access: 5-minute walk from Kitakata Station (喜多方駅)
Bonus recommendation: The Joyful Train SATONO!
Keen to elevate your sakura experience in the Kitakata area? We are pleased to share with you about JR East’s latest Joyful Train, SATONO (さとの)! The Aizu SATONO train operates one round trip per day, between Koriyama Station (郡山駅) and Kitakata Station (喜多方駅). The SATONO features box seats, large windows, an observation deck, and even a live view from the driver’s seat via on onboard monitors, all perfect for enjoying the springtime scenery. Like many other Joyful Trains, local delicacies, beverages, and merchandise are also available onboard the SATONO for purchase.
Besides this route, the SATONO train also operates on two other routes which run from Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture, but the AIZU SATONO route train features traditional Aizu decor, such as the akabeko (赤べこ), and even has a special aroma lingering inside the train.
Special tip: sit on the right side of the train to enjoy views of Mount Bandai, Fukushima’s iconic mountain!
3. Miharu Takizakura (三春滝桜)
Recommended period for sakura: Early to mid-April
The Miharu Takizakura (三春滝桜) is one of “Japan’s Three Great Cherry Trees” (日本三大桜). It is said that the name Takizakura (Waterfall Cherry Blossom) comes from the flowers hanging down from the branches in all directions, resembling a cascading waterfall. This ancient tree, estimated to be over 1,000 years old, was designated as a national natural monument in October 1922, marking it as the first cherry tree to receive such a recognition.
During the day, the area around it is filled with blooming rapeseed flowers. For about 10 days during the peak viewing period, the Miharu Takizakura and other cherry blossoms in Miharu will be illuminated from evening to night, offering a serene and enchanting experience that contrasts beautifully from the usual daytime view.
※Japan’s Three Great Cherry Trees: Neodani Usuzumi Zakura (Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture), Yamataka Jindai Zakura (Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture), and Miharu Takizakura.
Miharu Takizakura (三春滝桜)
Address: 296 Sakurakubo, Taki, Miharu Town, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture 963-7714
Access: 15-minute drive from JR Miharu Station (三春駅) / 25-minute drive from JR Koriyama station (郡山駅)
4. Yonomori no Sakura (夜の森の桜)
Recommended period for sakura: Early to mid-April
Yonomori no Sakura is one of Fukushima Prefecture’s most famous cherry blossom spots. Located in Yonomori Park (夜の森公園), this tunnel of cherry blossom trees are the pride and joy of the local residents of Tomioka Town, where most trees are over 100 years old in age, having been planted since the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
The cherry blossom tunnel stretches for 2.2 kilometres and has about 420 trees, including the popular Somei Yoshino (ソメイヨシノ) variety. Beyond the park, the entire area of Yonomori boasts approximately 1,200 cherry trees.
In 2025, the annual Yonomori Cherry Blossom Festival was held on 5–6 April.
Yonomori no Sakura (夜の森の桜)
Address: 4 Yonomori Minami, Tomioka town, Futaba District, Fukushima 979-1161
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Yonomori Station (夜ノ森駅)
5. Totsube no Sakura (戸津辺の桜)
Recommended period for sakura: Early April
Lastly, the Totsube no Sakura (戸津辺の桜) is an Edo Higan (エドヒガン) kind of cherry tree that is approximately 600 years old, and stands tall at a height of 18 metres with a trunk circumference of 6.5 metres. Although not officially recognised as part of Japan’s Big Three, this lone cherry tree is nonetheless also designated as a natural monument by Fukushima Prefecture.
It delights visitors with its appearance throughout the year, even beyond just sakura season. In the past, local farmers used the blooming period of this cherry tree as a guide for their agricultural calendar. The view of the Suigun Line and the cherry blossoms in tandem is a spectacular spring scene unique to this location.
Totsube no Sakura (戸津辺の桜)
Address: 88 Totsube, Nakaishii, Yamatsuri Town, Higashishirakawa District, Fukushima 963-5201
Access: 30-minute walk from Iwaki-Ishii Station (磐城石井駅)
Getting there
Getting to Fukushima from Tokyo is made convenient with the Tohoku Shinkansen! Accessible in less than 2 hours from Tokyo, the two most well-connected shinkansen stations relevant for visiting most of these sakura spots would be either Fukushima Station (福島駅) or Koriyama Station (郡山駅). From these stations, simply board the local trains!
Sweeten your Spring with JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Omiyage Snack Box!
We can’t wait to welcome you to enjoy Springtime in Fukushima! In the meantime, why not subscribe to JAPAN RAIL CLUB’s Omiyage Snack Box to receive your monthly dose of delicious snacks from Japan? This April, the Honey Hanami Omiyage Snack Box is filled with honey-flavoured and sakura-themed snacks, perfect to go with your hanami party!
Header Image Credit: ©Fukushima Prefecture
