The other day, when I was talking about cherry blossoms with a friend from the Kanto region.
“Cherry blossoms are a flower of farewell, aren’t they?”
When my friend said that, I thought… wait, is that really true???
For me, cherry blossoms are a flower of encounters.
“I picture them blooming during graduation ceremonies.”
she said.
I thought, “Not entrance ceremonies???”
For me, cherry blossoms are more like a flower of entrance ceremonies.
Children with randoseru backpacks and cherry blossoms.
The day after receiving a new assignment, we go out for cherry blossom viewing.
In Tsuruoka, that felt completely normal, so I couldn’t immediately make sense of what my friend said.
But according to her, “Songs that use cherry blossoms as a motif are about farewells, right?”
“That’s true!”
Even though it’s the same flower, and we live in the same country, the meaning of cherry blossoms can be so different.
Cherry blossoms in Tsuruoka bloom around mid-April. In recent years, they’ve been blooming earlier due to warming trends, and the forecast for Tsuruoka Park in 2026 is April 2 (as of March 27, Tsuruoka Tourism Navi).
Graduation ceremonies are long over. They bloom right around entrance ceremonies. That’s why, to me, cherry blossoms have always been a “flower of encounters.”
But in the Kanto region, cherry blossoms bloom earlier. So they likely bloom during the March graduation season.
Now that I think about it, many songs about cherry blossoms are about farewells. That fleeting beauty and the melancholy of falling petals must overlap with graduation.
It seems obvious when you think about it, but I hadn’t noticed until now. Moments like this make me think that getting older isn’t so bad. You start to notice things you couldn’t when you were younger.
Winter in Tohoku is long. Snow piles up, the wind is cold, and gray skies continue for months. Because cherry blossoms bloom after that, the feeling of “spring has arrived” probably carries a completely different weight. The long-awaited spring in Tohoku likely makes us more excited than we realize. Cherry blossoms may be a symbol of that.
And there’s one more thing I realized. We grew up without ever knowing cherry blossoms as a sad flower—so maybe… just maybe, we’re a little bit happier than those who have always seen them that way.
Cherry blossom spots in Tsuruoka
There are 13 cherry blossom spots in Tsuruoka City. From the city center in mid-April to the mountain areas in early May, you can follow the progression of spring for about a month.
Around mid-April
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①Tsuruoka Park (Babacho) — One of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. About 730 Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and double-flowered cherry trees. The lantern lights reflecting on the moat at night create a magical scene, and food stalls are open every evening. It shows a different face in the morning, afternoon, and night.
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②Oyama Park (Oyama) — About 700 trees in a park on the ruins of Oura Castle. Somei Yoshino, double-flowered, and weeping cherry trees. The view from the observation deck is spectacular.
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③Along the Akagawa riverbank (Daijoji) — About 250 cherry trees line a 1.5 km stretch. Popular as a driving route, where you can enjoy the blossoms from your car window.
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④Fujishima Historical Park (Fujishima) — About 30 trees. With early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and late-blooming double-flowered varieties, you can enjoy different types over a long period.
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⑤Higashitagawa Cultural Memorial Hall (Fujishima) — About 20 trees around the former Higashitagawa District Office. Including beni-shidare (pink weeping), weeping cherry, Edohigan, and Somei Yoshino varieties.
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⑦Matsugaoka Reclamation Site (Matsugaoka) — About 30 Somei Yoshino trees at a nationally designated historic site developed by former Shonai samurai. A night cherry blossom event, “Samurai Silk Night,” is also held.
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⑧Haguro Otorii (Toge) — About 10 Somei Yoshino trees set against the backdrop of the grand torii gate of the Dewa Sanzan and Mount Gassan. A popular photo spot.
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⑩Yasuragi Park (Matsugaoka) — About 30 trees along a 1.5 km stretch of the Akagawa riverbank. Also used as a filming location for movies.
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⑬Along the Atsumi River (Atsumi Onsen) — About 130 Somei Yoshino trees drooping beautifully over the river. You can enjoy cherry blossoms while soaking your feet in a footbath. Illuminations are also available.
Around early May
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⑥Gyokusenji Temple (Tamagawa) — About 10 trees at the “Temple of Flowers,” known for its nationally designated scenic garden. Weeping, double-flowered, Kasumi, and mountain cherry trees. Enjoy a luxurious moment appreciating the garden with matcha. Admission: 400 yen for adults.
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⑨Ezodate Park (Toge) — About 200 double-flowered cherry trees at a Jomon-era dwelling site near the entrance to Mount Haguro.
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⑪Gyozawa’s Mountain Cherry Tree (Gyozawa) — A single cherry tree that has also been used as a film location. The presence of this lone mountain cherry is overwhelming. It has been carefully preserved by the local community.
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⑫Shimekakezakura (Oami, Churenji Temple on Mt. Yudono) — A Kasumi cherry tree about 200 years old, associated with Kobo Daishi. Designated as a city natural monument. The blossoms seen in this sacred site of the Dewa Sanzan have a truly special atmosphere.
Detailed mapTsuruoka Tourism NaviPlease check it on Tsuruoka Tourism Navi.
Please come and visit, in time with Tohoku’s late spring. We’ll be waiting for you at Guesthouse Watausagi.
That’s all for today’s article.
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