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[Summary] Sakura in Yamagata! Selection of 13 Famous Spots (2025)

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Updated April 3, 2025
We have compiled a list of the most popular sakura (cherry blossom) viewing spots in Yamagata Prefecture.

We will provide regular updates on the cherry blossom blooming situation, illuminations, and cherry blossom festival.

Here are 13 of Yamagata’s best sakura viewing spots that you should visit at least once.

*Please note that the blooming forecast and the best viewing period may change depending on weather conditions.

◆ Murayama area ◆

🌸 Yamagata City

・Kajo Park

Kajo Park is a park developed on the site of the former Yamagata Castle.

The current castle is said to be based on the one built by the 11th lord, Mogami Yoshiaki (1546-1614).

In addition to the Somei Isoshino cherry trees that bloom around the moat, there are about 20 other types of cherry trees in the park, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms for a long time.

The scenery from the train window on the JR Ou Main Line is also beautiful and offers a different hanami (flower viewing) experience.

The area is also lit up at night, allowing you to enjoy the fantastical cherry blossoms reflected on the moat.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 6
[Illumination]
Period : From the beginning of blooming to the beginning of falling
Hours : Inside the park: 18:00~21:30, along the moat: 18:00~22:00
Section : Approximately 200 trees are lit up around the moat of Kajo Park
Access : About 5 minutes on foot from Yamagata Station

Detailed information

Kajo Park

Kajo Park

1-7, Kajo-machi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Detailed information

Kajo Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Event

Kajo Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Event

Date : April 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.), 2025
Inquiry
Yamagata City Tourism Strategy Division

023-641-1212023-641-1212

・Mamigasaki riverside cherry blossom line

An arch of 83 cherry blossom trees continues along the 830m stretch from downstream of Atago Bridge on the Mamigasaki Riverbank to near Atago Kindergarten.

During the day, we recommend driving through the cherry blossom arch, and at night taking a stroll while looking at the illuminated cherry blossoms.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 8
[Illumination]
Period : April 10 (Thu.) to April 21 (Mon.), 2025
Hours : 18:30~21:00
Section : Approximately 830m from downstream of Atago Bridge to the vicinity of Atago Nursery School
Food stalls : During the illumination period (next to the Yamagata Mamigasaki Pool JABA)
Event : April 12 (Sat.) and April 13 (Sun.)

Detailed information

Mamigasaki riverside cherry blossom line

Mamigasaki riverside cherry blossom line

・Oyama Cherry Blossoms in West Zao

Because the cherry blossoms in Nishi-Zao are at a high altitude, they bloom the latest within Yamagata City, and can usually be seen even as early as Golden Week.

This Oyama cherry tree is said to have been growing wild since the Heian period.

The poet Saigyo (1118~1190), who loved cherry blossoms, also visited here and is said to have left behind the famous poem:

“A matchless memory,
these cherry blossoms—
their faint crimson petals
carry the fragrance of flowers.”

.”

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[Blooming forecast date] Late April
Access About 30 minutes by car from Yamagata Kaminoyama IC

Detailed information

Oyama Cherry Blossoms in West Zao

Oyama Cherry Blossoms in West Zao

515 Tsuchizaka, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

🌸 Kaminoyama City

・Tsukioka Park (Kaminoyama Castle)

There are many famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kaminoyama city, but Tsukioka Park is one of the city’s best spots.

From the castle tower, you can enjoy the view of the Zao mountain range and the rows of houses in the city that still retain the atmosphere of a hot spring town.

In addition to old Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees, there are also a small number of Keio cherry trees, and about 80 cherry trees are in full bloom.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 7
Access About 10 minutes by car from Yamagata Kaminoyama IC

Detailed information

Kaminoyama Castle

Kaminoyama Castle

3-7 Motojonai, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture

🌸 Tendo City

・Kuratsu River Shidare-Sakura

Weeping cherry trees bloom in full glory along the 1.4km stretch of the Kuratsu River, which runs south of the Tendo City government office.

During the cherry blossom season, the area is lit up over a distance of about 750 meters, allowing visitors to enjoy the quaint weeping cherry trees illuminated by the lights.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 9
[Illumination]
Period : April 5 (Sat.) to May 6 (Tue.)
Hours : 18:30~22:00
Section : Kuratsu River (From “Oshobashi” in front of Tendo City Government Office to “Hishabashi” in front of Hot Spring Park)
Access Approx. 8 minutes by car from Tendo IC

Detailed information

Kuratsu River Shidare Sakura

Kuratsu River Shidare Sakura

Detailed information

Tendo Sakura Festival [Human Shogi]

Tendo Sakura Festival [Human Shogi]

Period
April 5 (Sat.) to May 6 (Tue.) 2025
[Human Shogi]
April 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.), 2025
Inquiry
Tendo Sakura Festival Committee

023-653-1680023-653-1680

🌸 Nakayama Town

・Odaruma-no-sakura

This Edo Higan cherry tree is approximately 750 years old and has been designated a prefectural natural monument.

Within Odaruma Sakura Park you can also enjoy other varieties such as Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, and double cherry blossoms.

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[Blooming forecast date]
Odaruma-no-sakura
: TBA
Edohigan : TBA
Somei-Yoshino : Around April 9 (Wed.)
Double cherry blossoms : TBA
shidare-sakura : TBA
[Illumination]
Period : April 10 (Thu.) to 20 (Sun.)
Hours: 18:00~21:00
Access Approx. 16 minutes by car from Yamagata JCT

Detailed information

Odaruma-no-sakura

Odaruma-no-sakura

Darumaji, Nakayama Town, Yamagata Prefecture

Detailed information

Odaruma-no-sakura Festival

Odaruma-no-sakura Festival

Period
April 10 (Thu.) to 20 (Sun.), 2025
Inquiry
Nakayama Town Tourism Association

023-662-2111023-662-2111

◆ Okitama area ◆

🌸 Nagai City

・Kubo Sakura in Isazawa

This is an Edo higan cherry tree designated as a national natural monument.

It is a giant tree that is 13 meters tall, and during the Edo period, its branches spread out over four tan (approx. 4 tan) of land, so it was also called Yontan Sakura (4 tan cherry blossoms).

The tree is said to be about 1,200 years old, and work to restore it is currently underway.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 10
Access Approx. 18 minutes by car from Nanyo Takahata IC

Detailed information

Kubo Sakura in Isazawa

Kubo Sakura in Isazawa

2027 Kami-isazawa, Nagai City

🌸 Sights of Nanyo City

・Eboshiyama Park

This is one of the largest clusters of Edo higan cherry trees in Japan, and is known as “Eboshiyama Senbonzakura” (Eboshiyama Thousand Cherry Trees) because of the approximately 1,000 cherry trees of 25 different species that are in full bloom here.

You can also see second-generation trees of famous cherry trees from all over Japan, and the place has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots.

The panoramic view from Akayu Onsen town is breathtaking.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 9
[Illumination]
Period : April 4 (Fri.) to May 6 (Tue.)
Hours : 18:00~22:00
(Saturdays and Sundays: 18:00~24:00)
Access About 5 minutes by car from JR Akayu Station

Detailed information

Eboshiyama Park

Eboshiyama Park

1415 Akayu, Nanyo City

Detailed information

Akayu Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival (2025)

Akayu Onsen Cherry Blossom Festival (2025)

Period
April 4 (Fri.) to 30 (Wed.), 2025
*Ends once the cherry blossoms have fallen
Inquiry
Nanyo City Tourism Association

0238-33-95120238-33-9512

🌸 Shirataka Town

・Cherry blossoms at Kamanokoshi Rural Park

Unfortunately, the oldest tree has died, but the deep crimson cherry tree you can see behind it is called “Katsuya Sakura” and is the second generation of “Kamanokoshi Sakura.”

At this time of year, the contrast with the remaining snow on the mountains is also quite picturesque.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 11
Access About 50 minutes by car from Yamagata City via National Route 348

Detailed information

Cherry blossoms at Kamanokoshi Rural Park (Shirataka Town)

Cherry blossoms at Kamanokoshi Rural Park (Shirataka Town)

4149 Takatama, Shirataka Town

Detailed information

Shirataka Classic Cherry Blossom Village Cherry Blossom Festival

Period
April 12 (Sat.) to 20 (Sun.), 2025
Inquiry
Shirataka Town Tourism Association

0238-86-00860238-86-0086

🌸 Yonezawa City

・Matsugasaki Park (site of Yonezawa Castle)

Approximately 200 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom along the moat, and the cherry blossoms reflected on the water’s surface are also very picturesque.

At night, it is lit up, allowing you to enjoy an even more beautiful view.

This is a must-see spot for history lovers.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 10
Access About 10 minutes by car from Yonezawa Chuo IC

Detailed information

Matsugasaki Park

Matsugasaki Park

1-4-13 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City

◆ Shonai region ◆

🌸 Sakata City

・Hiyoriyama Park

It is located on a hilltop with a panoramic view of Sakata Port, and the sunset over the Sea of Japan is truly romantic.

It is home to Japan’s oldest wooden hexagonal lighthouse, and gives you a taste of the port town of Sakata.

There are about 400 cherry trees and it is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 4
[Illumination]
Period : April 4 (Fri.) to 15 (Tue.)
Hours : 18:30~21:00
Access : Approximately 17 minutes by car from Sakata Chuo IC

Detailed information

Hiyoriyama Park

Hiyoriyama Park

1-10 Minamishinmachi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture

Detailed information

Sakata Hiyoriyama Sakura Festival

Sakata Hiyoriyama Sakura Festival

Period
April 4 (Fr.i) to 15 (Tue.), 2025
Inquiry
Sakata Tourism and Products Association

0234-24-22330234-24-2233

🌸 Tsuruoka City

・Tsuruoka Park

This park was developed on the former site of Tsurugaoka Castle, the 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.

Another highlight is the cherry blossoms at night, reflected in the lanterns that are set up to coincide with the blooming of the trees.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 4
Access About 10 minutes by car from Tsuruoka IC

Detailed information

Tsuruoka Park

Tsuruoka Park

4 Babacho, Tsuruoka City

Detailed information

Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Tsuruoka Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Period
Early to mid-April 2025 (to coincide with cherry blossom season)
Inquiry
Tsuruoka City Tourism and Products Association

0235-35-13010235-35-1301

◆ Mogami area ◆

🌸 Shinjo City

・Mogami Park (Shinjo Castle site)

The site of Shinjo Castle, where the Tozawa clan ruled for 243 years.

The cherry blossoms that surround the moat are magnificent, with approximately 300 Somei-Yoshino and weeping cherry trees in full bloom, and the area is bustling with visitors from inside and outside the city during the Spring Festival.

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[Blooming forecast date] Around April 14
Access About 10 minutes by car from Shinjo IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway

Detailed information

Mogami Park

Mogami Park

6-86 Horibata-cho, Shinjo City

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Events in the area