VOL.203 MAY 2025
[SPRING SPECIAL ISSUE] VARIOUS VARIETIES OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN JAPAN (PART 2): ADMIRING THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS AT CASTLES IN JAPAN
Takada Castle Site Park Cherry Blossom Festival, a Tradition Cherished by Local Residents, Celebrates 100th Anniversary
The illuminated three-story turret of Takada Castle in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, with Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom
Photo: Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association
Takada Castle Site Park, located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, has an impressive collection of approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees. As the site of an annual cherry blossom festival, the park is widely regarded as one of the top three nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan.1 During the festival, the alleys beneath the cherry trees in full bloom are lined with shopping stalls and many visitors come from far and wide. This article introduces the famous Takada Castle Park Site Cherry Blossom Festival, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, still retains the atmosphere of a castle town. It is located on the Sea of Japan, about two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. According to Takagi of the Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association, Takada Castle, now a park, was built in 1614 as the residence of MATSUDAIRA Tadateru,2 the sixth son of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The castle changed hands several times before the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the late 19th century. It was not until 1909 that cherry trees were planted on a large scale in Takada Castle Site Park, which sits on the historic grounds of Takada Castle.
“According to sources, an association of local reservists who had retired from active military service in the Takada area at the time raised funds through donations to plant 2,200 cherry trees on the site of the castle. This was the beginning of large-scale cherry tree planting in the park.”
Photo: Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association
By 1914, the cherry trees had begun to bloom beautifully, and in 1917 local residents were allowed to enter the premises of the park.
“At that time, the castle grounds housed the barracks of an army division, so unlike today’s Cherry Blossom Festival, there were no stalls and visitors were not free to stroll around. Instead, they could quietly enjoy the cherry blossoms at their leisure in a designated area. Later, in April 1926, the local Chamber of Commerce and others organized the 1st Cherry Blossom Festival.”
Photo: Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association
Today, visitors can enjoy hanami (cherry blossom viewing), eating and drinking freely while enjoying the approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees planted in Takada Castle Site Park.
“From March 28 to April 13, when the Cherry Blossom Festival is held, cherry trees are in full bloom throughout the park, including along the vast inner and outer moats surrounding the complex. At night, the three-story turret and the cherry blossoms are lit up by bonbori3 lanterns, and their reflection on the surface of the moat creates an even more impressive effect. The wonderful view of the cherry blossoms illuminated by some 3,000 lanterns is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan, making Takada Castle Site Park one of the top three nighttime cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, along with Ueno Onshi Park and Hirosaki Park. This year in particular, the Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrating its 100th anniversary, so in addition to the usual illuminations, we are planning various special features such as projection mapping.”
The 100th anniversary celebrations will include a commemorative tree planting and other initiatives inspired by the theme of the event: “Connecting with the next generation.”
Photo: Sakura Project J Secretariat
For generations, community volunteers have carefully maintained and cared for the cherry trees at Takada Castle.
“To protect and nurture the cherry trees together with the public, we have been working with volunteer groups engaged in conservation activities and publicly recruited citizens. In 2014, we launched ‘Sakura Project J,’ a collaborative effort between Joetsu City and its residents to make even greater efforts to preserve the cherry trees. After the cherry blossom viewing season is over, to show our gratitude for the beautiful blossoms, we work together with community volunteers to provide nourishment to the cherry trees in order to refill the energy they used to bloom. We also take care of the cherry trees throughout the year, including watering them in the summer and preparing them for winter in the fall.”
The cherry trees in Takada Castle Site Park are an important asset of Joetsu City, and the city continues to look after them, hoping to ensure that they remain healthy for another 100 years.
“Many people visit Joetsu City during the cherry blossom viewing season. We hope that overseas visitors will also explore the areas beyond the park, including the shopping street, Gangi Street, outside Takada Station, with its retro district of rows of traditional gangi-style townhouses.4 Check out the latest brochure, available in English and traditional Chinese, on the Cherry Blossom Festival special page of the official Joetsu Sightseeing Navi website. Come and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms that are so beloved by the people of Joetsu City.”
Photo: Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association
- 1. Takada Castle Site Park in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, Ueno Onshi Park in Tokyo, and Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, which have been featured in the media as three of the best places in Japan to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.
- 2. Born in Edo Castle in August 1592 as the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tadateru became the lord of Fukushima Castle (Joetsu City) in February 1610, and built Takada Castle in 1614.
- 3. A hand-held candle with a canopy made of paper or silk.
- 4. See “Life in a Meiji Mansion,” Highlighting Japan, January 2022 issue
By MOROHASHI Kumiko
Photo: Joetsu Tourism and Convention Association; Sakura Project J Secretariat; PIXTA