◆Murayama area

1. Yamagata City

・The 31st Kajo Cherry Blossom Viewing Event

The Kajo Cherry Blossom Viewing Party is held at Kajo Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

A variety of events are planned, including a Yamamen Cold Soba Tasting Party (13), a Hanagasa Dance performance by Yamagata University Hanagasa Club Shimen Soka (14), and a Sendai Suzume Dance performance (14).

Please invite your family and friends to come and enjoy the event.

Date
April 13th (Sat.) and 14th (Sun.), 2024
Venue
Kajo Park and its surroundings
Light up
Period : From the beginning of blooming to the beginning of falling
Hours : 18:00~21:30 (inside the park) & 18:00~22:00 (along the moat)
Event Details
・Yamamen cold soba presentation ceremony
・Yamamen cold soba tasting party
・Yamagata Maiko cherry blossom viewing garden walk
・Grand tea ceremony (outdoor) and koto performance
・Elegant Kajo town view
・Elegant cherry blossom viewing parade
・Entertainment by Mogami Yoshiaki’s warrior corps
・Hanagasa dance performance by Yamagata University Hanagasa Circle Shimensou-Ka
・Sendai Suzume dance performance and more

2. Tendo City

・Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival (Human Shogi)

The main event at the Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival is the Human Shogi game.

Set against the backdrop of Mt. Maizuru, where 2,000 cherry trees are in full bloom, warriors and ladies-in-waiting dressed in armor and kimonos play shogi pieces.

This year there will be no apply in advance entry or entry restrictions.

During the cherry blossom festival, various events will be held, such as the illumination of the shidare-sakura along the Kuratsu River.

Event period
April 6, 2024 (Sat.) to May 5, 2024 (Sun.)

Event Details
● Event opening ceremony [April 6 (Sat.)]
● Children’s Shogi Tournament [April 7 (Sun.)]
● Shidare-Sakura Evening [April 12 (Fri.) and 13 (Sat.)]
● 69th Human Shogi [April 13 (Sat.) and 14 (Sun.)]
● Mt. Maizuru Lantern Illumination [April 6 (Sat.) to May 5 (Sun.)]
● Kuratsu River Shidare-Sakura Illumination [April 6 (Sat.) to May 5 (Sun.)]
● Tendo Hanakoma Dance Festival [April 28 (Sun.)]

3. Nakayama Town

・Odaruma-no-Sakura Festival

At Odaruma-no-sakura Park in Nakayama Town, beautiful flowers bloom every year, including the Edohigan cherry tree, which is estimated to be 750 years old, as well as weeping cherry trees, Somei Yoshino cherry trees, and double-flowered cherry trees.

The Odaruma-no-sakura Festival , held when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, features performances of the “Darumadera Rice Planting Dance” and “Toyama-ryu Iaido Sword Drawing Demonstration,” and at night the cherry blossoms are lit up, creating a fantastical view.

Please visit many times and enjoy this year’s cherry blossoms to the fullest.

Date
April 5 (Fri.) to 16 (Tue.), 2024
Venue
Odaruma-no-sakura Park
Contents
・Shop opening
・Daruma Temple rice planting dance performance
・Toyama-ryu Iaido sword drawing technique
・Illumination of Odaruma-no-sakura
・Illumination of the cherry blossoms in front of Toyota Elementary School

4. Sagae City

・Sagae Cherry Blossom Festival

The  Cherry Blossom Festival will be held at Sagae Park.

Events include a Japanese sweets market and a cherry blossom viewing walk.

Please join us.

*The cherry blossom blooming forecast has been pushed back, so the date has been changed to Saturday, April 13th.

Date
April 13 (Sat.), 2024
Hours
● Japanese sweets Oichi : 9:00~15:00
(Sagae Park Sakura Hill)
● Cherry blossom walking : 9:00~12:00
*Applications for the cherry blossom walking event have closed.
Venue
Sagae Park Sakura Hill

5. Kahoku Town

・Sakura is the best!

“Sakura Saiko Kahoku” will be held at Kahoku Central Park.

At the food and beverage booth, food trucks will be set up, offering delicious food and hot drinks.

Also, from 6:00 p.m. onwards, there will be events such as lighting up the cherry blossoms at night, gagaku performances, and a Kahoku wine launch and sale.

Please enjoy a wonderful time admiring the cherry blossoms.

Date
April 13 (Sat.), 2024
Hours
10:00~21:00
Venue
Kahoku Central Park (near the cherry blossom viewing area)
Illumination
Period : April 6 (Sat.) to April 21 (Sun.)
Hours : 18:00~21:00

◆Shonai region

6. Sakata City

・The 44th Sakata Hiyoriyama Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Hiyoriyama Park is a place of relaxation for local residents, with approximately 400 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, in full bloom.

While the cherry blossoms during the day are beautiful, Hiyoriyama Park is also unique in that you can enjoy the sight of the cherry blossoms lit up by the setting sun, and then as it gets dark the lanterns start to light up.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival, there will be outdoor stalls and illuminations, as well as a concert by the Fire Department Band and a Sakata Kitamae Taiko drum performance on Saturday, April 6th.

Enjoy!

Event period
April 5 (Fri.) ~ 14 (Sun.), 2024
Venue
Hiyoriyama Park
Contents
🌸 Lanterns lit up ・Sengokubune light-up period : April 5 (Fri.) to 14 (Sun.)
Hours : 18:30~21:00
🌸Outdoor stall period : April 5 (Fri.) to 14 (Sun.)
Hours : 9:00~21:00

7. Tsuruoka City

・Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

Tsuruoka Park was developed on the site of Tsurugaoka Castle, the former residence of the Sakai clan, lords of the Shonai domain.

The garden, which is home to approximately 730 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino, Yaezakura, and Weeping Cherry, has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.

The illuminated cherry blossoms at night are mesmerizingly beautiful.

Event period
Early to mid-April 2024 *Coinciding with cherry blossom season
Venue
Tsuruoka Park
Contents
・Hanami lantern lighting
・Illumination of cherry blossoms in the front garden of Gokoku Shrine
・Yamagata Symphony Orchestra night cherry blossom concert
・Hanami tea ceremony
・Open-air stalls

・Matsugaoka Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

The Matsugaoka Cherry Blossom Festival will be held around the Matsugaoka Reclamation Area.

There will be a variety of workshops, exhibitions and sales by handicraft artists, as well as an open-air market.

Enjoy the cherry blossom festival while feeling the pleasant spring weather.

Date
April 13 (Sat,) and 14 (Sun.), 2024
Hours
10:00~15:00
Venue
Around Matsugaoka Reclamation Area
Contents
・Open-air Market
・Handicraft exhibition
・Flower-related workshop
・Shibata Toru solo exhibition, Hana, etc.

・Oyama Park Sakura Festival

Sakura Festival at Oyama Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.

You can enjoy the succession of cherry blossoms, including shidare-sakura, somei-yoshino, and double-flowered cherry blossoms.

This year, a market will also be held in the children’s amusement park.

We hope you enjoy it.

Event period
April 6 (Sat.) to 14 (Sun.), 2024
Events
● Market
Date : April 14 (Sun.)
Hours : 10:30~14:00
Venue : Children’s playground next to Oyama Park Parking Lot
* In case of rain, the event will be held at Dewa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Honjo Hall
**************************************************

● Oura Chaya
Open to the public on weekends during the Sakura Festival

8. Shonai Town

・The 37th Shonai Town Tateyama Park Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival is held at Tateyama Park, a famous cherry blossom spot that offers a panoramic view of the Shonai Plain.

Under the roughly 200 blooming Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, numerous stalls will be set up, including those selling the festival’s specialties, grilled herring and grilled pork.

Date
April 13 (Sat.) and 14 (Sun.), 2024
Hours
11:00~16:00
Venue
Tateyama Park, Karikawa, Shonai Town
Illumination
Period: April 8 (Mon.) to May 5 (Sun.)
Hours: 18:00~22:00
Events
・Grilled herring for sale
・Grilled pork for sale
・Many stalls open
・Shonai Ground
・Golf exchange tournament
・Shonai karaoke tournament
・Amarume Hiryu Taiko performance
・Tachiyazawa River erosion control promotion
・Lighting lanterns and more

9. Yuza Town Events

・Nakayama River Park Cherry Blossom Festival

Nakayama River in Yuza Town still has its old stone bank remaining.

The rows of houses with black roof tiles, blackboards and white walls typical of Shonai, Mt. Chokai covered in snow, and the rows of cherry blossom trees that resemble a nostalgic Japanese landscape even though it was my first time seeing them.

During the Cherry Blossom Festival, lanterns are lit up and carp streamers are carried across the river.

We also plan to sell tama konnyaku (konjac balls) on sunny days when the flowers are in full bloom.

Event period
April 6 (Sat.) to 21 (Sun.), 2024
Events
🌸 Lanterns illumination
Hours : 18:00-21:00
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🎏 Carp streamers crossing the river

◆Okitama area

10. Ask City

・Akayu Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival

Eboshiyama Park is certified as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.

Known as the Eboshiyama Senbonzakura, the sight of the entire mountain dyed pink is a spectacular sight.

During the Akayu Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival, various events are held and the area is bustling with people.

*The date has been changed and the event will be held from Friday, April 5th (March 27th, 2024)

Event period
April 5 (Fri.) to 30 (Tue.), 2024
Illumination period
April 5 (Fri.) to May 6 (Mon.)
*Ends once the cherry blossoms have fallen
Hours : 18:00~22:00
Venue
Eboshiyama Park
Events
● Hot Spring Town Stamp Rally
● Nanyo City Delicious Food Market
● “Nikko Monkey Troupe” Traditional Performing Arts – Monkey Show
● “Let’s all dance together” Akayu Folk Song Circle
● Akayu Junior High School Brass Band Concert
● Cherry Blossom Seedling Giveaway
● Wild Lion Drums
● Large Torii Gate Shimenawa Replacement Ceremony
● Traditional Performing Arts Daikoku Mai
● Akayu Ryusakurakai Mikoshi Procession

11. Shirataka Town

・Shirataka Classic Cherry Blossom Village Cherry Blossom Festival

Shirataka Town is dotted with six ancient Edo Higan trees, known as “classic cherry trees,” that are over 500 years old.

All of them are designated as natural monuments by Yamagata Prefecture.

During the Sakura Festival, cherry blossom-themed foods and sweets will be on sale, and six stores in the town will offer “Hanami Gozen” (cherry blossom viewing meals).

Why not take a leisurely stroll around Shirataka Town in spring?

Date
April 6 (Sat.) to 14 (Sun.), 2024
Hours
9:30~15:00
Sakura Festival Venue
🌸 Cherry blossoms at Kamanokoshi Rural Park
🌸 Yakushizakura (approximately 1,200 years old)
🌸 Twelve Cherry Blossoms
🌸 Yamaguchi Scholarship Cherry Blossoms
🌸 Komorido Cherry Blossoms (approx. 1,020 years old)
🌸 Ushiroan Cherry Blossom (approx. 680 years old)
🌸 Yakushi Cherry Blossom in Akasaka (approximately 970 years old)
🌸 Yaotome Seeding Cherry Blossom (approximately 500 years old)
🌸 Cherry blossoms at Shomyoji Temple’s Amida Hall
🌸 Tonoirizakura (approximately 680 years old)
❖ Goiyo Sakura
Events
● Takatama Theater and more

12. Takahata Town

・Takahata Cherry Blossom Festival

A cherry blossom festival will be held at the former Takahata Station building, which has become increasingly popular as a photogenic spot.

There will be lots of events, including a mini Shinkansen bullet train, a Plarail installation experience, and a Nordic sports experience.

At night, the cherry blossoms and the station building are lit up, creating a fantastical world that you can enjoy.

Date
April 14 (Sun.), 2024
Hours
10:00~20:00
Venue
Around the old Takahata station
Events
・Spring Smartphone Stamp Rally
・Nordic sports experience “Kubb” and “Mölkky”
・Takahata Sakura Market
・Takakki and Hatakki entertainment
・Plarail installation experience
・Cherry blossoms and food (street stalls and food trucks)
・Mini Shinkansen bullet train ride
・Mini concert
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🚉 Former Takahata Station building illuminated
Date : April 13 (Sat.) and 14 (Sun.)
Hours : 17:00~20:00
*
🌸 Cherry Blossom Illumination
Period : April 4 (Thu.) to April 14 (Sun.)
Hours : 17:00~20:00
*The schedule may change depending on the blooming situation.