Not only in Kyoto, there is a small hidden cherry blossom viewing spot in Japan north of Tokyo!

Preface

Kyoto, Nara, and Mount Fuji are among the preferred destinations for many people to visit when visiting Japan to enjoy cherry blossoms, but once the cherry blossom season arrives, there are always crowds of people!

There is a secret place north of Tokyo. Perhaps because few people have set foot here, the cherry blossoms here have bloomed with a unique momentum. The scale and beauty are not inferior to those in Kanto, Kansai and other regions.

Let me share some real photos first~

Let me introduce you to Ouzhou

Historically, Ou was the combined region of Mutsu (Oshu) and Dewa (Hūshū) within the Ritsuryo region of Japan. This region essentially corresponds to the present-day Tohoku region (Ou). On January 19, 1869 (December 7, 1869), Mutsu was divided into five provinces: Iwaki, Iwashiro, Rikuzen, Rikuchu, and Mutsu. Dewa was then divided into two provinces: Hūzen and Hūgo. These regions became known as the Seven Provinces of Tohoku. The name "Ou" continued to be used for these regions.

Geographically, the Tohoku region encompasses Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures north of Tokyo, collectively known as Japan's Tohoku region. It's a less-visited, scenic destination that's ideal for activating a three-year multiple-entry visa.

Oyu is so big, how do we solve the transportation problem?

A complete guide to the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku region) (covering eligibility, how to purchase and redeem it, and detailed instructions for use!)

Traveling in the Ou region often involves long periods of time or long distances. If the routes connecting major cities are considered the arteries, then the transportation networks within each city are the capillaries. Let's first look at solutions for these "arteries"!

Tohoku Area Rail Pass (JR EAST PASS)

Scope of application

This Tohoku rail pass allows convenient and fast Shinkansen travel between major cities, allowing you to visit nearly every tourist attraction in just five days. It's undoubtedly the best value! This JR East pass is designed for foreign travelers holding non-Japanese passports. Pre-order it online or purchase it at a local JR East store.

▶ Available from: Tokyo in the south and Aomori in the north, covering almost the entire Tohoku region. Available for all Shinkansen and express trains, including ordinary carriages!
▶ Available for: Use within 14 days of purchase, on any five days of your choice, with free hop-on/hop-off access.

How to purchase and redeem

▶Price in Japan: Adults (12 years and older) 20,000 yen, Children (6 to 11 years old) 10,000 yen

International pre-order price: Adults (12 years and older) 19,000 yen, Children (6 to 11 years old) 9,500 yen

Purchase on China-TravelNote platform for only 1,168 yuan!

▶Local sales and exchange points: Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Sendai Airport, JR Sendai Station, etc., as long as JR East has sales points!

Tips:

Sendai Airport only accepts redemption services for tickets purchased through travel agencies or online. Passes cannot be purchased on-site.

Overseas booking and redemption process: ① After pre-purchasing your tickets online, find the JR EAST Travel Service Center upon arrival at the airport. The Narita and Haneda Airport branches are both on B1F, while the Haneda branch is on the 2nd floor.

② Prepare your booking voucher and passport. Fill in the basic information and Japanese contact information at the first stage, and leave your mobile phone number where we can contact you.

③Then exchange the PASS and reserve a seat for the designated train you want to take. For example, you need to reserve a seat for the NEX Narita Express into Tokyo.

Tips:

When planning your trip, you can use the transfer guide to find the train number and time you want to take, write it down or print it out, and reserve your seat in one go, significantly saving communication time.
Some Shinkansen trains have free seats. If you only want to sit in a free seat, you don't need to reserve a seat. You can just use your PASS to ride the Shinkansen free seat within the valid section. The advantage of a free seat is that you don't have to rush to the train at a designated time. You can sit wherever there is a vacant seat. However, during rush hour and popular weekends, the free seats will be full.

How to use

Present your PASS to the staff at the ticket gate. They will stamp it with the date of the day, and then you can board the train with your designated seat ticket.

There are five boxes below the PASS, and you can use it for any five days. When you officially use it, the box will be stamped with a date. When five stamps are stamped, it means that the pass has been used.

The image below shows Shinkansen connections and travel times. (Purple is the Yamagata Shinkansen, pink is the Akita Shinkansen, and green is the Tohoku Shinkansen.) As you can see, if you make good use of this all-you-can-ride Shinkansen pass, you can travel between almost all the major cities in Tohoku in a single day!

※The pictures are for reference only. Please refer to the official website for more information.

Not a secret! Highly recommended cherry blossom viewing spots

Miyagi Prefecture | Shiroishi River Bank

Ninety years ago, cherry blossom trees were planted along the Shiroishi River embankment for eight kilometers. Today, these trees, backed by snow-capped mountains and accompanied by the flow of the Shiroishi River, form an exceptionally spectacular cherry blossom tunnel that is truly breathtaking.

The reason why it is called Ichimoku Senbonzakura is, as the name suggests, that you can see thousands of cherry trees at a glance, which shows how dense the cherry blossoms are. The varieties of cherry blossoms are also increasing, even including the Sendai Yoshino cherry blossoms known as the "phantom variety".

Less popular way to enjoy the scenery: Boating on the lake, letting the cherry blossoms drift away with the water, is a romantic and enjoyable spring activity!

Since the cherry blossoms are blooming right on the waterfront, a boat trip is essential. During the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in mid-April, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms by boat. The 2.3-kilometer round-trip, 20-minute journey allows you to see the cherry blossoms on both sides of the river.

Best flowering period: early to mid-April

Access: About a 3-minute walk from JR Ogawara Station

Iwate Prefecture | Kitakami Exhibition Hall

Tenshochi, Kitakami City Park, located on the banks of the Kitakami River, is well-known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku.

This park, covering an area of approximately 29,300 square meters, is home to approximately 10,000 cherry trees and 100,000 azalea trees. Every year during the cherry blossom season, the cherry blossoms along the two-kilometer stretch of Kitakami River in the park bloom simultaneously, creating a spectacular sight.

Due to its stunning scenery, it was selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association in 1990. It is also considered one of the "Three Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Mutsu," along with Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture and Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. It is a beloved cherry blossom viewing destination among Japanese people.

The Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival, held annually from April to May when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, is bustling with visitors flocking to the park. On May 5th, Children's Day (Boys' Day) in Japan, rows of carp streamers are hung across the Kitakami River to pray for the health and safety of children. Besides the beauty of the cherry blossoms themselves, the park's diverse ways of viewing them are also a major draw.

Lesser-known attractions: Besides the beauty of the cherry blossoms themselves, the diverse ways to enjoy them are also a major draw. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from one end of the cherry blossom tunnel to the other, and the vibrant spring air will greet you. It's truly amazing to be surrounded by 10,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees.

Best blooming period: mid-April to late April
Access: 20-minute walk from JR Kitakami Station

Aomori Prefecture | Hirosaki Park

As soon as the winter snow melts, spring arrives quietly in Aomori.

Hirosaki Park, centered around the 400-year-old Hirosaki Castle, boasts over 2,600 cherry trees, most of which were planted in 1903. The park also hosted its first "Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival" 100 years ago, making it a renowned cherry blossom viewing destination. There are several must-see spots for cherry blossom viewing.

First up is Japan's oldest Somei Yoshino cherry tree. This variety of cherry blossom generally has a lifespan of only 60-80 years, but the Somei Yoshino here has survived for more than 100 years, and there are more than 400 trees over 100 years old.

Among them is a Somei Yoshino cherry tree, known for its thickest trunk in Japan. It is said that the longevity of the cherry trees here is due to the fact that the people of Aomori Prefecture, who are experts in apple cultivation, applied their fruit tree cultivation techniques to cherry blossoms.

The 300-meter-long cherry blossom tunnel on the west side of the park is also breathtakingly beautiful. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, they blanket the sky above. When they fall, the petals cover the water and the ground, creating a dreamlike illusion of a thick, floral carpet.

Furthermore, the "Hirosaki weeping" cherry trees planted in 1914, especially the "Goto cherry trees" that hang directly from the stone steps to the water, fully embody the beauty of the national flower recognized by people.

Best flowering period: late April to early May

Access: About a 30-minute walk from JR Hirosaki Station

A lesser-known option: Every spring, Japan launches a "Sakura Train," offering a breathtaking ride through a sea of blossoms. Tsugaru Railway - Aomori's cherry blossom viewing train.

This railway line in the Tsugaru region has a different theme each year: in winter, you can enjoy the snow on the "Stove Train", in autumn, you can see the red leaves on the "Suzumushi Train", in summer, the "Wind Chime Train" passes through the forest, and in spring, the "Sakura Train" looks like it came from a manga...

We arrived at dawn by train, the mist still thick as we entered the cherry blossom forest. Soft, scattered sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, tinging the fresh green foliage with a faint golden glow, like something straight out of a cartoon. As the train passed, blossoming branches gently caressed the train body, softening the hard iron, suffusing it with the fragrance of cherry blossoms. The people passing by also became even more gentle and charming.