Tohoku, the northern region of Japan’s main island, Honshu, is a paradise for cherry blossom lovers. With stunning landscapes, historical monuments, and spectacular hanami spots, Tohoku becomes a dreamlike pink world every spring. From peaceful parks to historic castles, here is my guide to the best places to see sakura in Fukushima, Yamagata, Miyagi, Iwate, and Akita. You will also find tips on the best dates to visit, how to get around with the Japan Rail Pass, and where to stay.

Chansey Park in Koriyama

Índice
1. Map of the best spots in Tohoku
2. Places in Fukushima Prefecture
3. Places in Yamagata Prefecture
4. Places in Miyagi Prefecture
5. Places in Iwate Prefecture
6. Places in Akita Prefecture
7. Best dates in 2025 to see cherry blossoms according to the official forecast
8. How to find the best time to see sakura in Tohoku
9. Where to stay in Tohoku
10. Best dates in 2025 to see cherry blossoms according to the official forecast
11. How to find the best time to see sakura in Tohoku
12. Where to stay in Tohoku
13. How to travel around with the Japan Rail Pass
14. Internet
15. Travel insurance
16. Money during the trip – N26 Card

Map of the best spots in Tohoku

With this map, you can easily plan your route. You will see that it is divided by colors according to each prefecture, and further down in the article I will explain each location:

    • Fukushima: purple
    • Yamagata: orange
    • Miyagi: green
    • Iwate: blue
    • Akita: yellow

Places in Fukushima Prefecture

    • Hanamiyama Park: A hillside park known for its stunning views of pink and white flowers. It is one of my favorite spots!
    • Mount Shinobu Park: Located in the center of Fukushima, this park combines cherry blossoms with the history of Mount Shinobu.
    • Kasumigajo Castle Park: This historic park offers spectacular views of cherry blossoms surrounding the castle ruins. During the Kasumigajo Sakura Festival, the flowers are illuminated at night.
    • Nitchu Line Memorial Bicycle and Pedestrian Road in Kitakata: A former railway track transformed into a cycling and pedestrian route, now surrounded by more than 1,000 cherry trees.

Places in Yamagata Prefecture

    • Eboshiyama Hachiman Shrine: This hilltop shrine is surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees.
    • Kajo Park: Built around the ruins of Yamagata Castle, this park offers beautiful views of sakura reflected in its moats.
    • Mamigasaki Sakura Line: A peaceful riverside path, ideal for walks beneath the cherry trees.
    • Nan’yo – Okitama Sakura Corridor: A lesser-known area with several spots full of cherry trees, although it is best visited by car.

Places in Miyagi Prefecture

    • Funaoka Castle Ruins Park: Ride the themed sakura cable car to enjoy aerial views of the cherry blossoms, the Shiroishi River, and the distant Zao Mountains.
    • Ōgawara Station – Shiroishi River: Famous for its “Hitome Senbonzakura” (a thousand trees at a glance), this spot offers spectacular views of cherry trees along the riverbanks. It is impressive!
    • Shiroishi Castle: The castle grounds are also surrounded by cherry trees.
    • Shiogama Shrine: A cultural site surrounded by more than 300 cherry trees.
    • Sakuragaokakōen Nishi Park: A park with cherry trees in the middle of Sendai city.

Places in Iwate Prefecture

    • Kitakami Tenshochi Park: One of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, this park has 10,000 cherry trees.
    • Kitakami River – Koinobori: During the sakura season, colorful carp streamers (koinobori) wave above the Kitakami River.

Places in Akita Prefecture

    • Kakunodatemachi: Known as “Little Kyoto,” Kakunodate is famous for its weeping cherry trees. The samurai district is especially impressive during sakura season.
    • Hinokinaigawa Tsutsumi Park: This riverside park has a 2-kilometer-long tunnel of cherry trees.
Funaoka Castle Ruins Park in Miyagi

Best dates in 2025 to see cherry blossoms according to the official forecast

The sakura season in Tohoku starts later than in Tokyo and Kyoto, which makes it a perfect destination if you have to visit Japan later and still want to see cherry blossoms. In this area, the season begins in mid-April and lasts until early May. These are the estimated blooming periods for 2025:

    • Fukushima: Early to mid-April
    • Yamagata: Mid to late April
    • Miyagi: Mid to late April
    • Iwate: Late April to early May
    • Akita: Late April to early May
Kitakami Tenshochi Park in Iwate

 

How to find the best time to see sakura in Tohoku

Check local forecasts closer to your travel dates for more accurate information, and above all keep in mind that cherry blossom blooming is a natural phenomenon deeply influenced by weather conditions (temperature, rain, wind, local microclimates…). Every year, the dates when cherry trees reach full bloom vary, which makes forecasts essential for planning your hanami. The official forecast is usually updated every two weeks and, from March onwards, every week. Here are some tools to help you plan: Websites for cherry blossom forecasts

Mobile apps to track sakura

    • Sakura Navi (iOS/Android): This is the one I used the most. It tracks locations and blooming stages throughout Japan, making it ideal for finding the best nearby spots.
    • Tenki.jp Weather App: Includes cherry blossom forecasts during sakura season, along with weather updates.
    • Japan Travel by NAVITIME: Combines travel planning with seasonal updates, including cherry blossom information.

Social media and live updates Search hashtags on Instagram such as #桜 (sakura), #東北 (Tohoku), and #さくら, and also follow the profiles of regional tourism offices for updated information. Local tourist information centers When you arrive in Tohoku, visit tourist information centers at train stations or popular destinations. They usually provide updated information about blooming conditions.

Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima

Where to stay in Tohoku

Funaoka Castle Ruins Park in Miyagi

Best dates in 2025 to see cherry blossoms according to the official forecast

The sakura season in Tohoku starts later than in Tokyo and Kyoto, which makes it a perfect destination if you have to visit Japan later and still want to see cherry blossoms. In this area, the season begins in mid-April and lasts until early May. These are the estimated blooming periods for 2025:

    • Fukushima: Early to mid-April
    • Yamagata: Mid to late April
    • Miyagi: Mid to late April
    • Iwate: Late April to early May
    • Akita: Late April to early May
Kitakami Tenshochi Park in Iwate

 

How to find the best time to see sakura in Tohoku

Check local forecasts closer to your travel dates for more accurate information, and above all keep in mind that cherry blossom blooming is a natural phenomenon deeply influenced by weather conditions (temperature, rain, wind, local microclimates…). Every year, the dates when cherry trees reach full bloom vary, which makes forecasts essential for planning your hanami. The official forecast is usually updated every two weeks and, from March onwards, every week. Here are some tools to help you plan: Websites for cherry blossom forecasts

Mobile apps to track sakura

    • Sakura Navi (iOS/Android): This is the one I used the most. It tracks locations and blooming stages throughout Japan, making it ideal for finding the best nearby spots.
    • Tenki.jp Weather App: Includes cherry blossom forecasts during sakura season, along with weather updates.
    • Japan Travel by NAVITIME: Combines travel planning with seasonal updates, including cherry blossom information.

Social media and live updates Search hashtags on Instagram such as #桜 (sakura), #東北 (Tohoku), and #さくら, and also follow the profiles of regional tourism offices for updated information. Local tourist information centers When you arrive in Tohoku, visit tourist information centers at train stations or popular destinations. They usually provide updated information about blooming conditions.

Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima

Where to stay in Tohoku

I recommend having two main bases throughout your trip and using trains and buses to explore the different areas. We chose Fukushima and Sendai:

How to travel around with the Japan Rail Pass

Japan Rail Pass! The best friend of many tourists travelling around Japan, and something that is very important to consider for your trip. It can be purchased by anyone travelling to Japan for tourism purposes who has a “Temporary Visitor” visa status. It is a personal and non-transferable pass created specifically for tourists that allows you to travel throughout Japan. It includes unlimited journeys on most national trains operated by the JR Group, some city trains (such as Tokyo’s Yamanote Line or Osaka Loop Line), buses, ferries, and even some airport transfers. The Japan Rail Pass is one of the best ways to explore the sakura spots in Tohoku efficiently and comfortably. Here is how to reach each destination:

  • Fukushima Prefecture:
    • Hanamiyama Park: From Fukushima Station, you can take local buses or a taxi to reach the park.
    • Mount Shinobu Park: Easily accessible with a short taxi or bus ride from Fukushima Station.
    • Kasumigajo Castle Park: From Fukushima Station, take the JR Tohoku Main Line to Nihonmatsu Station (around 20 minutes), then walk or take a taxi.
    • Nitchu Line Memorial Bicycle and Pedestrian Road: From Koriyama Station, transfer to the Ban-etsu West Line and get off at Bandai-Atami Station.
  • Yamagata Prefecture:
    • Eboshiyama Hachiman Shrine: Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Akayu Station (around 1.5 hours from Fukushima) and walk to the shrine.
    • Kajo Park: Around a 15-minute walk from Yamagata Station.
    • Mamigasaki Sakura Line: Accessible by local buses from Yamagata Station.
    • Nan’yo–Okitama Sakura Corridor: Take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Akayu Station and continue using local transport.
  • Miyagi Prefecture:
    • Funaoka Castle Ruins Park & Ōgawara Station (Hitome Senbonzakura): From Sendai Station, take the JR Tohoku Main Line to either Funaoka or Ōgawara Station (around 25–30 minutes).
    • Shiroishi Castle: From Sendai, take the JR Tohoku Main Line to Shiroishi Station (around 40 minutes).
    • Shiogama Shrine: From Sendai Station, take the Senseki Line to Hon-Shiogama Station (around 30 minutes), then walk a short distance.
  • Iwate Prefecture:
    • Kitakami Tenshochi Park: From Sendai Station, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Kitakami Station (around 1 hour). The park is just a short walk away.
  • Akita Prefecture:
    • Kakunodate & Hinokinaigawa Tsutsumi Park: From Sendai Station, take the JR Akita Shinkansen to Kakunodate Station (around 2.5 hours). Both locations are within walking distance from the station.
Shiroishi Castle in Miyagi
Nitchu Line Memorial Bicycle and Pedestrian Road in Kitakata, Fukushima

Internet

I think having Internet access while travelling is really important, especially if you want to check train schedules, find your way around, or figure out how to get somewhere. In Japan, you have several options, and these are the ones I have personally used:

  • eSIM: Nowadays, getting an eSIM is the most common option, so I’ll leave you a link with a 5% discount for Holafly. If the discount is not automatically applied, you can use the code “WHERETOFINDJESS” during the checkout process.
  • Data SIM card: If you prefer a physical SIM card, you can buy one online before arriving in Japan and either collect it at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel. You can buy one through this link. You can also find SIM cards at the airport, but I usually buy mine in advance as the price is usually better. Another option is to purchase one through Amazon Japan and have it sent to your hotel.
  • Pocket WiFi: This is a small portable device that you can rent and it will provide Internet access until the battery runs out. It is very convenient to carry, allows you to connect multiple devices, and can usually be picked up at the airport. You can rent yours through this link. The only downside is that you need to remember to keep the battery charged.
Mamigasaki Sakura Line, Yamagata

Travel insurance

For this type of trip, I always take out IATI travel insurance so we can travel with peace of mind in case something happens. We had an incident once in Japan and it was extremely helpful. We usually choose either “IATI Básico” or “IATI Estándar”, although depending on the destination you may want to consider options such as “Estrella” or “Mochilero”. You can also add or purchase cancellation insurance. There is an option called “IATI Anulación Premium”, specifically designed to cover costs related to cancelling trips (flights, accommodation, excursions, and more), up to a limit of €6,000, if you are unable to travel for one of the reasons covered by the policy. By clicking this link, you can purchase any IATI insurance plan with a 5% discount: https://www.iatiseguros.com?r=81717716852618.

Money during the trip – N26 Card

Japan uses the Yen (¥). As a reference, ¥100 is approximately €0.62. We used our card to pay for practically everything during this trip and had no problems. I got this card when travelling to Iceland, and since then it has worked brilliantly on all my trips. After travelling several times to Japan and other countries that do not use the euro, I was tired of paying exchange fees at airports or currency exchange offices, as well as the approximately 3% commission my bank charged for every card purchase or cash withdrawal abroad. So now, when I travel, I pay for everything using my N26 prepaid card. You can request yours through this link. Some important things to keep in mind:

  • I opened my account for free and can use it at contactless ATMs in Spain and the eurozone.
  • If you want the physical card, you can request it for €10.
  • Adding money to the card is very easy, as you can do it through a bank transfer.
  • Important points when travelling with this card:
    • You can pay in any currency other than euros. N26 does not charge fees for card payments abroad, even when another currency is involved. The exchange rate used is provided by Mastercard.
    • If you have a standard N26 account and want to withdraw cash from an ATM outside Europe, there is a 1.7% foreign exchange fee (but no additional transaction fee). With N26 You or Metal accounts, this fee does not apply. I personally use the Standard account.

All the payments I have made in countries with non-euro currencies have had very good exchange rates. I compared them constantly with currency converters to check the daily exchange rate, and the rate applied was sometimes even better than the one shown online. If you have any questions about this, feel free to email me and I’ll be happy to help. The process is very easy. Here is the link again: N26.

Eboshiyama Hachiman Shrine, Yamagata
Mount Shinobu Park, Fukushima
Sakura sweets
Ōgawara Station – Shiroishi River, Miyagi
Hitome Senbonzakura, Miyagi
Kakunodate, Akita
Kitakami River, Iwate
Kajo Park, Yamagata
Road Station Shirataka Yana-koen, Yamagata