#1morioka Cherry Blossoms 2023
Morioka Castle Site Park (Iwate Park)
Morioka Cherry Blossom archives 2023
Morioka is a place where city and nature are in harmony. After a long winter, the long-awaited spring arrives, with all the greenery sprouting and flowers blooming at once. The cherry blossoms, in particular, are usually at their peak from mid to late April. Morioka City is said to have 13 varieties of cherry trees of 18 species, including Someiyoshino, of which Ishiwarizakura (Edohigan) and Morioka Shidare at Ryukokuji Temple are designated as national natural treasures. Wild cherry trees can also be seen in the surrounding hills, and their simple beauty is soothing. In this issue, we introduce some recommended cherry blossom viewing spots that are especially popular among the locals! Take a stroll and feel the spring in Morioka.
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Ishiwarizakura (Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree)
This 4.6m root circumference, 10m high Edohigan-zakura cherry tree, which grows out of a huge granite rock with a circumference of 21m, is a national natural treasure.
It is said that cherry tree seeds flew into a crack in the garden stone of a Nanbu domain retainer's mansion, sprouted, and pushed the crack open as the tree grew. Its imposing appearance is breathtaking, and its vigorous vitality is inspiring.
Morioka Castle Site Park (Iwate Park)
Morioka Castle is a park developed on the site of the former castle of the Morioka Domain and is designated as a national historic site. Morioka Castle is characterized by its stone walls, which are rare in eastern Japan, and the collaboration of the beautiful stone walls that remain today with cherry blossoms in full bloom is also "Instagrammable" (beautiful).
The park is home to approximately 200 cherry trees, including someiyoshino, sato-zakura, and edohigan-zakura. The Morioka Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year, attracting many cherry blossom viewers.
Takamastu Park (Takamatsu Pond)
It is a popular spot for citizens to relax in all four seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves in fall, and swans flying in winter. There are approximately 1,260 cherry trees, including weeping cherry and yae cherry, and it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan.
A promenade surrounds the pond, so we recommend taking a stroll while viewing the cherry blossoms. On a clear day, you can also see the magnificent view of Mt.
Yonai Purifi cation Plants' Wepping Cherry Trees
Completed in 1934, this is the oldest water purification plant in Morioka City.
There are about 30 Yaeveni shidare higan cherries planted on the site when it was first completed, and they are protected as trees of scenic importance by Morioka City. The graceful blooming of the cherry trees is truly the "Queen of Cherry Blossoms. The Yaebenishidare Higanzakura is usually off-limits to the public, but is open to the public only when the cherry blossoms are at their best.