CHERRY BLOSSOMS

As an ex-artillery battery, Goryokaku’s past may be dark but its present is more colorful than ever, especially in spring when the park’s cherry trees start to blossom.

A great way to experience the beauty of this star-shaped fortress is by renting a rowboat from Goryokaku Park Boat Rental and paddling through the park’s moat while admiring the sakura lining its banks. The moat is only 1.5 kilometers long and can be traversed in 30 to 40 minutes at a steady pace. However, rowers are encouraged to take their time admiring the cherry trees and Goryokaku’s other nature up close while enjoying the breeze on their faces.

Centered around the 17th century remains of Hirosaki Castle, Hirosaki Park is considered by many to be one of the three best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.”

Each year, people from all over come to Hirosaki to confirm that fact for themselves during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Not only is it a lively celebration of one of the most picturesque places in Japan, it’s also the only time when visitors can rent a boat and ride around Hirosaki Castle’s west moat. Paddling through the calm waters with your friends or family while being surrounded on both sides by a sea of pink cherry trees in bloom is sure to create memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Located in the northwestern part of the Imperial Palace grounds, the 700-meter-long Chidorigafuchi moat reportedly got its name from its shape, which resembles a plover bird, known as chidori in Japanese.

The area is one of the most popular cherry blossom-viewing spots in the capital, with most people enjoying the trees from the walkways along the moat. Rowing, however, is also an option in early spring, allowing visitors to admire Japan’s resplendent sakura and a famous Tokyo landmark from brand-new angles.

Boats can be rented at the Chidorigafuchi Boat Park, though please note that parts of the moat may be closed off for safety reasons and that private filming or photography without prior authorization is strictly prohibited.

The Kaizu-Osaki Peninsula that juts into Lake Biwa is one of the most popular hanami sites not just in Shiga Prefecture, but in all of Japan. In fact, Kaizu-Osaki is considered one of the 100 best cherry blossom-viewing spots in the country, thanks to its 800 Yoshino cherry trees spread across a 4-kilometer-wide area.

Understandably, in the spring, the peninsula can get a little packed, so why not avoid the crowds and admire the beautiful sakura petals from the water? During hanami season, visitors to Lake Biwa can rent a canoe or take a cherry blossom-viewing cruise that will give them front-row seats to Japan’s annual symphony of color.