Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival
Photo: Kyukamura Association

See 4,000 cherry blossoms lit up at Niigata's Takada Castle this spring

The Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival will also put up 3,000 paper lanterns and a fireworks show

Kaila Imada
Written by
Kaila Imada
Advertising

If you’re already planning a list of sakura spots to visit this year, you’ll want to add this gorgeous castle in Niigata to your list. Takada Castle Site Park in Joetsu, Niigata prefecture is home to roughly 4,000 cherry blossom trees, which are illuminated at night along with 3,000 bonbori lanterns during the annual sakura festival

Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival
Photo: Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association

This year, the event is celebrating its 98th year with festivities taking place between Wednesday March 29 and Wednesday April 12. 

Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival
Photo: Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association

The park has long been regarded as one of Japan's top evening hanami spots, with one of the highlights being the 300m Sakura Road, just south of the castle. Here, you can stroll under a boulevard of blooming cherry blossom trees and see the bonbori lanterns illuminated from sunset until 9pm.

Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival
Photo: Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association

Aside from the cluster of blossoms near the castle, the inner and outer moat that surrounds the grounds and nearby Aota River are lined with even more sakura trees. It’s quite a sight to behold, especially with the reflection of the lit-up trees on the water. 

Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival
Photo: Kyukamura Association

For more information on the 98th Takada Castle Site Park Sakura Festival, visit the website.

This article was originally published on March 14 2022 and updated on March 9 2023.

More from Time Out Tokyo

Roppongi Art Night to return in May 2023 as a weekend arts festival

Coke releases a Japan-only souvenir bottle inspired by famous Japanese art

Daiso opens a massive new flagship ¥100 store in Ikebukuro

Kanto's largest tulip festival has 550,000 blooms – and it’s near Tokyo

See a million nemophila flowers blooming at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park this spring

Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

Latest news

    Advertising