Niigata's Takada Castle Park Cherry Blossoms

Takada Castle Park was built on the ruins of Takada Castle, which was constructed over 400 years ago by Tokugawa Ieyasu's sixth son, Matsudaira Tadateru. The park is very spacious, covering about 50 hectares, and is planted with approximately 4,000 cherry blossom trees, mainly Somei Yoshino cherry trees. The scenery during the spring bloom, combined with the Takada Castle's three-story turret and the Aota River, is as picturesque as a painting. Especially at night, when the lights are lit, a dreamy atmosphere envelops the area. Along with Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture and Ueno Onshi Park in Tokyo, it is known as one of Japan's three major night cherry blossom spots. In early April, the Takada Castle Million People Cherry Blossom Viewing Party is held in the park. As the name suggests, the park is bustling with people and a festive atmosphere. To tour the extensive Takada Castle Park, it is recommended to take a walk outside the castle's moat to Gokuraku Bridge during the day, then enter the castle for a visit. In the evening, shift to the Cherry Blossom Boulevard to enjoy the night cherry blossoms. During the cherry blossom viewing party, about 3,000 paper lanterns are set up in the venue. When it gets dark and the lights are turned on, the approximately 4,000 cherry blossom trees suddenly sparkle. The Takada Castle's three-story turret stands out like a protagonist on the stage, bathed in light. The cherry blossoms and the castle reflected in the moat create a dreamlike and unforgettable scene. Additionally, next to the Chureito Pagoda, there are song and dance performances on the cherry blossom stage to ignite the atmosphere, and near the Nishibori Bridge, there are a variety of food stalls, turning the park into a grand carnival. No wonder it attracts more than a hundred thousand cherry blossom viewers every year, from morning to night. Takada Castle Park Address: 44-1 Honjo-machi, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture