A Perfect Guide for Family Trip to Iwaki from Late-March to Mid-April! 3 Cherry Blossom Spots Around JR Iwaki Sta.

In Iwaki, a city blessed by rich nature, you can find many places where cherry blossoms are in full bloom between late in March and the first half of April even close to the city center. Among the popular cherry blossom spots loved by locals, let us take you to 2 parks and a riverbank, which are perfect for visitors traveling with families wanting to leisurely enjoy the beautiful scenery. Bringing and savoring your choice of local delicacies under the beautiful blossoms in pale pink, and you’ll get to fully enjoy the spring with all your senses.

“Matsugaoka Park”, the oldest park in Iwaki full of azaleas and cherry blossoms

A park with the longest history in Iwaki, “Matsugaoka Park” (松ケ岡公園) is really famous for its beautiful azaleas and cherry blossoms. It is said that after a large reservoir that also served as fire protection water had been constructed, old azaleas and Yoshino cherry trees in Iwaki’s former feudal lord, Ando’s (安藤) residence in Otsuka, Tokyo were transplanted around it. Today, approximately 340 azaleas and 200 Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom from late March until early in May entertain visitors’ sights. In the park, you’ll find the bronze statue of Nobumasa Ando (安藤信正, 1819 – 1871), a member of shogun’s council of elders in the late Edo era, as well as the former residence of Guan Amada (天田愚庵, 1854 – 1904), known as a poet. Why don’t you feel the rich history of Iwaki while appreciating the color of the spring?

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	3 Taira Yakuojidai, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute walk from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	https://iwakicity-park.or.jp/mk

“Taira Central Park”, a relaxing municipal park where Yoshino cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees

In a municipal park, “Taira Central Park” (平中央公園) neighboring ‘Iwaki Performing Arts Center Alios’ (いわき芸術文化交流館アリオス) which is only a 5-minute walk from Iwaki Station, pink blossoms come to be in full bloom surrounding the park as the spring comes. It is loved by locals as there are 2 kinds of cherry trees, Yoshino cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees. In addition to the cute pink blossoms of cherry trees, open-air markets offering locally prepared knick-knacks and snacks, festivals and social events that are held time to time attract visitors. Though playsets for kids are not instilled, you can have a relaxing day by strolling along the leisure trails, sun bathing at the lawn plaza or having snacks at the gazebos. In case you wish to visit by car, park your car at one of the toll parking lots nearby.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Adress	1 Taira Aza Misaki, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	https://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/spot/10178

“Shinkawa River Bank” to offer THE scenery of Japan’s spring, the combination of canola flowers and cherry blossoms

The season of flowers and blossoms, the spring colors the river bank of “Shinkawa River” (新川の河川敷), a river runs through the city center of Iwaki, with vivid yellow and pale pink. Because two kinds of cherry trees are planted one of which come to be in full bloom early in April while the other do so in the mid of March, you get to appreciate both of them if you visit the bank in late March. You will fall in love with the beautiful harmony created by field mustard and the two kinds of pink blossoms. Although the bank is well maintained as a leisure trail, watch out for cars and bikes come and go. This is an ideal spot to bring the perfect scenery of Japan’s spring in photos back home.

Opening Hours	24 Hours
Address	Taira Aza Misaki, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 14-minute walk from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	https://kankou-iwaki.or.jp/spot/10162