Tohoku region includes Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures. They have great natural habitat, lakes and ski resorts; the area is a popular destination for tourists from aboard. They also have many historical and cultural events and sites to visit like temples and shrines. This fully packed region offers many special events in May, so please do read this information beforehand, which would help to enjoy your visit much more.
Nature observation events
１.The world best Cherry blossom -2018 end of April ～beginning of May
source:travel.jp
Hirosaki in Aomori prefecture is known for its cherry blossom festival; they have the world best cherry tree display. Every year from end of April to beginning of May, the cherry trees Ohyamazakura would bloom with beautiful pink flowers. Local people started this special display in 1985, now it’s about 20 km and about 6500cherry trees stands along side of a road. The display attract many people when its full blossom; people would come to look or do picnics under trees, this would be called Hanami. Amongst the display, there is a section that would be a path of Shiba cherry trees; this would be a perfect place to have a short walk. It may be a good idea to rent a car to drive thorough this 20km display. Moreover, This display has a longer blossom period due to many factors; when cherry blossom near the castle would be fully open, this display would start slowly. Therefore, this whole display has different highlights in different time.
schedule
2018 end of April ～beginning of May
access & address
the world best cherry blossom
Get off Komoriyama entrance bus stop, short walk
From Hirosaki station, bus ride about 50 min
・address hyakuzawaazasusono hirosakishi, aomoriken
・map
fee＆booking
free
no booking necessary
official site
2.Akayu hot spring cherry blossom festival - Middle of April ～ Beginning of May 2018
source: icotto
Eboshiyama Park is known for its cherry trees. (Eboshisenbonzakura) This park is one of the few places where rare cherry trees (Edohigan) would grow together. 160 Edohigan trees are growing in this park; they are awarded as one of the 100 best cherry blossoms in Japan. Apart from Edohigan, there are Someiyoshino, Shidarezakura and many more different types of cherry trees; they are about 25 types and 1000 tree all together to make up this whole display. Walking thorough this display, you can see award winning tree Houchou Mejiro Zakura the second and Rinneno Sakura. During night, there are many people who enjoy the lighting up; people can see magnificent view of pink flower growing in the night sky. From the hot spring town center, the panoramic view of the blossom would be breathtakingly beautiful. During the festival, there are special stalls that sell local and traditional goods; there are also performances of historical song and dance.
schedule
middle of April ～ Beginning of May 2018
lighting up 18:00～22:00
access＆address
Eboshiyama Park
From Akayu station, about 20 min walk
・From Yamagata station, about 1 hour train ride and walk
・address 1415 Akayu Higashiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
・map
fee＆booking
free entry
no booking necessary
official site
3.Flower and History Hometown Ja no Hana Gardens Fuji (flower) festival -20184.29～5.20
source:janohana
Flower and History Hometown, Ja no Hana Gardens opened in 1899, visitors can look around the garden and enjoy boat ride. The garden is located on a slanted land; visitors can see beautiful flowers: camellias, cherry trees, tulips, azaleas and roses. During autumn season, changing colour of leaves would create a great nature view. There is a mansion (Janohanagoten) in the garden; a wealthy local farmer built this as his second home. Inside of this mansion, there are many artifacts that were made by famous artists. Moreover, this mansion was made of precious wood materials that are no longer available in the market. Sine 1996, this place was listed on national treasure registry. Flower and History Hometown, Ja no Hana Gardens has 500 year old Fuji flower gazebo that is about 100m long. This gazebo would create a spectacular view every year in May with light purple flowers; that is very famous. Why don't you enjoy this sophisticated and photogenic garden!
schedule
- 4.29 ～5.20
9:00～17:00
access＆address
Flower and History Hometown, Ja no Hana Gardens
From Motomiya station about 8 min drive
・From Koriyama station, about 20 min drive
・address 38 Janohana Motomiya, Motomiya-shi, Fukushima-ken
・map
price＆booking
adult（over 16）700yen、child（over 6）400yen
No booking necessary
official site
4.Kasumigajo Park cherry blossom festival – beginning of April 4 ～beginning of May
source: samurai-japan
Kasumigajo has another name Ninomatsujo; this park was build around this old castle. Their cherry blossom is very well known. There are about 2500 cherry trees including Someiyoshino; they bloom with light pink flowers. The flowers give beautiful magical pink veil effect around the park. Kasumigajo Park is one of the best 100 cherry blossoms in Japan. The blossoming season is the time for festival; during the time, cherry blossom would be light up during night. This is traditional event in Japan, people would enjoy pink flowers growing in the dark sky and enjoy their food and drink under it. There would be a temporary tourist information center so visitors can easily go for sightseeing. The best place to visit would be Shinsentai, Saki no Tea House inside the Kasumiga castle. They offer Macha (green tea) and sweet in the traditional setting.
schedule
Beginning of April 4～Beginning of May 2018
Lighting up 18:00～22:00
access＆address
・Kasumigajo Park, Fukushima
・From Ninomatsu station, about 20 min walk
・From Koriyama station, take train and walk about 40 min
・address 3 Chome Kakunai, Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture 964-0904, Japan
・map
price＆booking
free
no booking necessary
official site
http://www.nihonmatsu-kanko.jp/
family event
5. Jōdogahama festival -2018.5.3～6
source:ameblo
Jōdogahama is located in Hitachihamacho, Miyako, Iwate Prefecture; this represents the best natural observation amongst Rikuchu Kaigan. It’s a beautiful rhyolite Coast; due to its beauty, people thought this would look like Western Paradise in Buddhism. Thus during 1681～1683, people named this coast Jōdogahama. During summer season, there are many people who would enjoy the sea. They are one of the best 100 beaches in Japan. There is a festival, Jōdogahama festival in May. Visitors can enjoy many activities relating to the sea: sea kayaking, traditional song and dance performances and many more. Visitors can fully be satisfied by dairy performances as well as experiencing activities to know this natural beauty.
schedule
2018.4.28～30、5.3.～6
events time is varied
access＆address
・Jōdogahama
・Get off a bus stop Jōdogahama park hotel front, about 10 min walk
・From Morioka station, bus ride and walk, about 2 hours 40 min
・address 32 Hitachihamacho, Miyako, Iwate Prefecture
・map
price＆booking
depends on the event
no booking necessary
official site
なし
Sport event
6.No 28 Sendai International Half Marathon Competition（shorten：MorinoMiyako half 2018）-2018.5.13
source: Speak out about Sendai
Sendai International Half Marathon Competition is an international half marathon that is happening in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. The shorten name is MorinoMiyako half. This year would be the 28th year. This is a city marathon; the course would be running thorough the city center. Apart from the half marathon course, there are 5km and 2km courses; they are taking place on the same day. It would be a great feeling running thorough nice greenly spring air in May; runners would be challenged for 21.0975km. It would be nice weather for people to cheer the participants. It may be a good idea to do some sightseeing while you cheer them in the city.
schedule
2018.5.13
start
5km/9:00、2km/9:10、half（wheelchair）/9:47、half/10:05
access＆address
・Hirose Rubber Athlete Park Sendai （Sendai City Athletic Stadium）、Tsutsujigaoka Park
・From Miyaginohara Station, about 5 min walk
・From Sendai station, train ride and walk about 10 min
・address 2-11-6 Miyagino, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture Japan
・map
price＆booking
free observation
no need to book
official site
modern art event
7.Omagari fireworks display－Spring version－「World fireworks Japanese fireworks」-2018.5.12
source:nanavi
World fireworks Japanese fireworks display would take place near Omagari Yamagawa riverbank. It attracts about 38000 people (12000 people inside stadium) it is no doubt that it's a big event. This spring version is a special one because audience can see fireworks created by foreign companies; this is quite rare to do so in Japan. Japanese traditional fireworks are also included. People can witness great Japanese craftsmanship; they want to broadcast this dynamic display to the world. 8000 fireworks would surely be impressive in the dark night sky.
schedule
2018.5.12
19:00～20:20
※in case of a bad weather, the event would take place in the next day
access＆address
・Omagari Yamagawa riverbank
・From Omagari station, about 25 min walk
・From Akita station, train ride and walk, about 1 hour
・address Omagari Hanabi Venue, Daisen, Akita Prefecture, Japan
・map
price＆booking
free
※seating (fee) folding chair seating/ one person 3000 yen (over 6 years old)
no need to book