The Hirosaki Sakura Festival has been running for over 100 years and is held in Hirosaki in Aomori prefecture. The festival will last for two weeks, with one Saturday, one Sunday, and Golden Week in between.
Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri Festival venue
The Hirosaki Sakura Festival will be held at Hirosaki Park, where Hirosaki Castle is located.
Hirosaki Castle is one of the 12 existing castle towers in Japan and was built in the Edo period. It is not as large as Himeji Castle or Matsumoto Castle, but rather small and compact. Hirosaki Park is as large as 10 Tokyo Domes.
Access to the Hirosaki Castle
The nearest station to Hirosaki Park is JR Hirosaki Station in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture.
From JR Aomori Station to JR Hirosaki Station
It takes 47 minutes from Aomori Station to Hirosaki Station by local train or 34 minutes by limited express.
From JR Shin-Aomori Station to JR Hirosaki Station
From Shin-Aomori Station to Hirosaki Station on the Shinkansen bullet train is 37 minutes by conventional train and 27 minutes by limited express.
From JR Hirosaki Station
From JR Hirosaki Station to Hirosaki Park is about 30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus or cab. From Hirosaki Station, there is a city bus called “Dote-machi Circulation 100 yen Bus”.
When are the cherry blossoms in full bloom every year?
If you are going to go, you want to go when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Umako was lucky enough to visit Hirosaki Park in 2017 and 2018 when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Here are those dates.
The sight of 2,600 cherry trees in full bloom is breathtaking.
April 27, 2017: In full bloom
April 28, 2018: in full bloom
We went on a weekday so the crowds were not that big and we were able to enjoy the wonderful cherry blossoms. I don’t know because of the mild winter this year, but it would be ideal to go before Golden Week to relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms.
If you want to see the carpet of petals on the moat, you should go later in the season.
What hotels do you recommend for the Hirosaki Sakura Festival?
Hirosaki City has a population of approximately 170,000. In 2019, approximately 2.8 million people visited Hirosaki Park during the Sakura Festival in this medium sized city.
You can easily imagine how difficult it would be to get a hotel. If you have decided to come from far away to see the Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri, we recommend that you book your hotel now.
Hotel locations can be divided into two main categories.
One is near Hirosaki Station and the other is near Hirosaki Park. For those traveling with suitcases, the area near Hirosaki Station is convenient. Those who wish to take a walk in Hirosaki Park early in the morning or see the lights at night should stay closer to Hirosaki Park.
Hotels Near Hirosaki Station
Hotels near Hirosaki Station have the advantage of being close to stores. There are convenience stores and a station building at the station, as well as Ito-Yokado Hirosaki Store and a large supermarket.
Art Hotel Hirosaki City
Art Hotel is operated by Hotel Mystays. It is within walking distance from Hirosaki Station and is popular for its extensive and delicious buffet breakfast. Recommended for those who want to stay in a city hotel.
Art Hotel Hirosaki City
Hotel Route Inn Hirosaki Ekimae
This hotel is also located in front of Hirosaki Station. Rooms are clean and free breakfast is included.
Hotel Toyoko Inn Hirosaki Ekimae
Toyoko Inn is also located next to Hirosaki Station. You don’t have to cross the street to get there, so it is convenient even if you have heavy luggage.
Toyoko Inn Hirosaki Ekimae
Tsugaru no Yado Hirosaki-ya
This small, local hotel is a 3-minute walk from Hirosaki Station and was opened in 2009. It is convenient because it is a short walk to Yokado.
Hirosaki Prince Hotel Hirosaki Ekikita
This is a budget hotel operated by the BBH Group, and is about a 5-minute walk from Hirosaki Station.
Hotel near Hirosaki Park
There are several hotels near Hirosaki Park, the site of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival.
Hotel New Castle
It is about a 15-minute walk from Hirosaki Station. Hirosaki Park is less than a 10-minute walk away.
Natural Hot Spring Iwaki Sakura no Yu Dormy Inn Hirosaki
This is a relatively new hotel opened in 2008. It is close to Hirosaki Park and has a natural hot spring. There is a shuttle bus service from Hirosaki Station to the hotel.
Hotel located between Hirosaki Station and Hirosaki Park (city center)
Hotel Hyper Hills Hirosaki
Located between Hirosaki Station and Hirosaki Park. It is a reasonably priced hotel.
Hirosaki Park Hotel
This is a large local hotel where wedding ceremonies are held. The breakfast room overlooks Hirosaki city.
Hirosaki Park Hotel
Super Hotel Hirosaki
It is a 12-minute walk from Hirosaki Station, and it takes about 20 minutes to Hirosaki Park on foot. It has a natural hot spring and free breakfast is included.
Hirosaki Toei Hotel
During the Sakura Festival, the demand for hotels is very high and prices rise, making it difficult to find a hotel. We recommend that you check the availability of hotels as soon as you think of it, and if you find a good deal, make a reservation as soon as possible. Prices usually go up as the Cherry Blossom Festival approaches, so waiting will not make it any cheaper.
If you cannot find a hotel
If you are unable to find a hotel, you may choose to stay at a private accommodation. There are homes in Hirosaki City that offer private accommodations, so be sure to check them out.
Search for private accommodations in Aomori Prefecture
> ＞ ＞ Homestay and farm stay reservation site “STAY JAPAN
May you find a hotel safely, and may the day of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival be a beautiful day for cherry blossoms!