Japan’s Top 100 Blossoms: Banks of the Hinokinai River (Akita)

The weeping cherries along the street of stately samurai mansions originally came from Kyoto; three saplings were part of the trousseau a bride from the capital brought with her when she married a local lord in the seventeenth century. Of the 450 shidarezakura that now grow in the bukeyashiki district, 162 are nationally recognized as natural monuments.

The somei yoshino by the banks of the Hinokinai River, meanwhile, were planted by local residents in 1934 to commemorate the birth of former Emperor Akihito. The entire town of Kakunodate comes alive with color during the sakura festival in the spring.

Banks of the Hinokinai River (Akita)

• Varieties: Somei yoshino (Hinokinai River), shidarezakura (bukeyashiki)
• No. of trees: 400 along the banks of the Hinokinai River, 450 in the bukeyashiki district
• When: Late April to early May
• Hours: Open 24 hrs.
• Admission: Free
• Address: Kakunodatemachi, Senboku-shi, Akita
• Website: Senboku City

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Sakura 100: Japan’s Best Blossoms

(Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Tazawako Kakunodate Tourism Association.)