Enjoy the Night Breeze While Seeing Cherry Blossoms: 4 Must-Visit Spots Within 20 Minutes by Bus or Train from Koriyama Station

Missed full bloom of cherry blossoms in Tokyo? It is too early to give up on enjoying the view of spring in Japan as spring in Tohoku area awaits you even in April. When it comes to Koriyama City, the best time of year for cherry blossoms is said to be April. Among the many great places for cherry blossoms, let us introduce four places in which you can enjoy them at night, all within 20 minutes by public transportation from Koriyama Station.

Cherry blossoms on Somei-yoshino with the longest history in Japan: You don’t want to miss full bloom of cherry blossoms in “Kaiseizan Park”

“Kaiseizan Park” (開成山公園) occupying around 30 hectares is located in the central Koriyama. When the park welcomes spring, 1,300 trees of Somei-yoshino, Yamazakura, Kanzan and others planted by pioneers, who laid the foundation of the development for Koriyama, are fully dressed up with cherry blossoms. The cherry trees with blossoms in full bloom shape a tunnel over your head and this tunnel became very famous since a movie The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女) was shot under  this very tunnel. Trees and cherry blossoms are lit up at night and that creates a mysterious environment which you never can enjoy during daytime. While the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, as a festival is held at the neighboring ‘Kaiseiyama Daijingu’ shrine (開成山大神宮), you can also enjoy stall stands together with the view of cherry blossoms.  

Period	8:00PM – 10:00PM from early in April to late April Festival: March 27th 2021 to April 25th 2021 *Since above schedule is subject to change, you are kindly advised to visit the official website before visiting.
Address	1-5 Kaisei, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute bus ride from Koriyama Station to Koriyama Shiyakusho (郡山市役所) Bus stop
URL	https://www.kanko-koriyama.gr.jp/tourism/detail2-1-349.html

Reflection of cherry blossoms lit by lanterns on surface of pond in “Gohyakubuchi Park”

If you want to feel the nature in Koriyama City, “Gohyakubuchi Park” (五百淵公園) is the place to visit as there are a forest and a pond where wild birds inhabit. Still, wild birds are not the only attractions what the park has to offer, but also over 200 Somei-yoshino trees with full bloom of cherry blossoms in spring. The row of trees with cherry blossoms surrounding the 1.2 km long promenade that goes around the pond is truly a masterpiece. When the sun goes down and the lanterns are lit up, the trees with cherry blossoms on the edge of the pond are gently reflected on the surface of the pond. By just looking at the blossoms and the reflection, you will forget about the time.

Lighting-up	Sunset to dawn from early in April to late April *Since above schedule is subject to change, you are kindly advised to visit the official website before visiting.
Address	1-1 Yamazaki, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 14-minute bus ride from Koriyama Station to Yamazaki Bus stop, and a 3-minute walk from Yamazaki Bus stop
URL	https://www.kanko-koriyama.gr.jp/tourism/detail2-1-350.html

The combination of a nostalgic “Mogi Station” and cherry blossoms on Somei-yoshino trees

“Mogi Station” (舞木駅) is just one station way from Koriyama Station (郡山駅). Despite the distance from the city center, it is an unmanned station with an average number of users of around 700 people. In commemoration of the station’s foundation in 1914, the locals planted 30 trees including Somei-yoshino. You can not only see a view of the 30 cherry blossom trees together with the train station during day time but also enjoy a view at night: the view of the lit-up cherry blossoms covering the simple and nostalgic train station.

Lighting-up	6:30PM – 10:30PM from April 3rd 2021 to April 17th 2021
Address	189-2 Taira, Mogi-machi, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	1-station ride on Joban Line from Koriyama Station to Mogi Station
URL	https://www.kanko-koriyama.gr.jp/tourism/detail5-1-425.html

“Fujita River”, Lit-up cherry blossoms on Somei-yoshino trees lining up on river banks stretching over 3 km

On 3 km long banks of “Fujita River” (藤田川), close to Kikuta Station (喜久田駅) which is only 2-stations away from Koriyama Station, you can enjoy around 500 Somei-yoshino trees colored by cherry blossoms in spring. These trees were started to be planted for celebrating the wedding of the current His Majesty of the Emperor Emeritus in 1959. The locals had kept planting more Somei-yoshino trees and the row of trees was eventually formed. At night, cherry blossoms that bloom over the calm flow of Fujita River are lit up at night and you will enjoy the mysterious beauty created by the lit-up blossoms and the reflection of them on the calm flow of “Fujita River”.

Lighting-up	6:00PM – 9:00PM in mid-April *Since above schedule is subject to change, you are kindly advised to visit the official website before visiting.
Address	Shimokawara, Horiuchi, Kikuta-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	2-station ride on Ban-Etsusai Line from Koriyama Station to Kikuta Station, and a 3-minute walk from Kikuta Station
URL	https://fukushima.travel/destination/fujita-river-fureai-zakura-cherry-blossom/241