Somei Yoshino cherry blossom trees bloom along both sides of the Fujita River for three kilometers, centering around Horinouchi Bridge near Kikuta Station.
The long stretch of leafy foliage features several banks suitable for picnics under the cherry blossoms, which bloom typically in mid-April. (For reference: though blooming periods can change year-to-year, the 2025 blossoms were at full bloom around 15th April.)
The riverside is served by nearby Kikuta Station on the Ban-Etsu Line, or there are large car parks near the river walk.
| Website | https://www.kanko-koriyama.gr.jp/tourism/detail5-1-426.html(Automated translation available) |
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| Contact | Koriyama City Tourism Association (+81) 24‐924-2621 |
| Best Season |
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| Parking | Available |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Related info | Best viewing period: Mid-April |
| Access | Shimokawara, Horinouchi, Kikuta-machi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Pref. View directions |
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| Getting there | By Car: 15 min from Koriyama I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway. By Train: 3 min on foot from Kikuta Station on the JR Ban-etsu West Line. |
Mt. Ryozen is a spiritual, historic mountain with beautiful scenery. Since the Muromachi Period, Ryozen Temple has been used as a training grounds for Buddhist monks. Apparently, monks-in-training used to tie themselves to cliff-edges as part of their training in self-discipline!Hikers can park at the Mt. Ryozen Trailhead Parking Lot.
The Hitomachi Jizo Sakura in Hinata is a solitary cherry tree standing along an old mountain pass in Nihonmatsu. Its name comes from the small stone Jizo statue at its base, which appears to be quietly watching over travelers passing through the countryside.The cherry tree is especially known for the striking combination of pale pink blossoms, bright yellow rape flowers, and the Jizo statue. In the distance, visitors can also see the snow-covered peaks of the Azuma and Adatara mountain ranges, giving the landscape a dramatic backdrop.Believed to be around 100 years old, the tree is a mature Somei Yoshino with a broad canopy and thick trunk. It blooms from early to mid-April, slightly earlier than some of the other famous cherry trees in Nihonmatsu, and has become one of the most photographed sakura spots in the area.
Located just east of Koriyama City, Takyashiki Inari Shrine is one of Fukushima's most striking shrine complexes. Roughly one hundred red torii gates line rows of stairs leading to the main shrine building, which features both a grey marble torii in the rear and a small koi pond. A family of chickens roost in a nearby hutch and roam free around the grounds during the day. The shrine is distinctive as an inari shrine thanks to its myriad fox statues, each of which represents a messenger of the kami Inari, said to be the watchful protector over rice farmers.The shrine grounds are free to enter and offer pleasant views over the surrounding countryside.
From early April right up to the start of May, 40 varieties of blossoming peach trees present a feast for the eyes for visitors to Hanamomo-no-Sato Park. There are over 300 peach trees spread across the 8,000 square meters of land. From blossoms with a single layer of petals, to the elaborate Yae-zakura and Kikuzaki Sakura flowers, there is a huge variety in the shapes and colours of cherry blossoms to be discovered and enjoyed at Hanamomo-no-Sato Park. As well as being free to visit, Hanamomo-no-Sato Park is conveniently located; just 20 minutes on foot from Iizaka Onsen Station.
These two weeping cherry trees are said to be the grandchildren of the great Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in nearby Miharu Town. They bloom with fantastic pink flowers. When they are in full bloom, the trees are if a waterfall of blossoms is cascading from their branches. These trees are estimated to be around 170 years old. We recommend taking photographs from the bottom of the slope, so you can capture the pink of the blossoms, together with the blue of the sky, and yellow of the canola flowers.
The Totsube Sakura tree is one of the best-known cherry blossom spots in Fukushima. Standing alone in a field in Yamatsuri Town, its wide branches and soft pink flowers create a striking scene against the surrounding countryside. The tree is especially famous for blooming slightly earlier than many other cherry trees in the area and is seen as a symbol of the spring season starting in the prefecture.Believed to be more than 600 years old, the tree is an Edohigan cherry tree and has been designated a natural monument by the prefectural government. It stands around 18 metres tall, with a trunk more than six metres in circumference, showing both its great age and remarkable size.For generations, local farmers used the blooming of the Totsube Sakura as a sign that it was time to begin spring work in the fields. Because it flowers from late March to early April, it became closely tied to the rhythms of life in Yamatsuri and remains an important symbol of the town today.The tree is also popular with photographers, especially because the nearby Suigun Line railway passes behind it. During blossom season, many visitors gather to capture the sight of a local train passing beneath the ancient cherry tree.
Mt. Handa (known as 'Handayama' in Japanese), which rises 863 meters above sea level, and Handa Pond are the focal points of this park. Handayama Natural Park is known for its late-blooming cherry trees, as well as the diverse wildflowers that bloom. It is a great place for visitors to feel close to nature throughout the year.
Bandai-Azuma Lake Line is a sightseeing road that runs for 13.1 km, connecting Inawashiro Town and Kitashiobara Village. Outstanding backdrops of hundreds of lakes, including Lake Akimoto, Lake Onogawa, and Lake Hibara can be seen from along the road. The Nakatsugawa Valley, which lies half-way along the route, offers a wonderful view of a combination of rock surfaces polished by strong water currents and woodland greenery. A rest-house area with washrooms stands near the valley and visitors can enjoy trekking along the walking trails from the season of fresh green leaves through to the end of the season of red and yellow foliage. The valley is particularly famous as one of the most scenic foliage-viewing spots in Japan with many photographers visiting from both inside and outside of the prefecture. Enjoy a beautiful drive through this landscape when the new leaves of spring are fresh and green or when the autumn beauty of the valley glistens with red and yellow foliage of beeches, buckeyes, and maples.