VOL.203 MAY 2025
[SPRING SPECIAL ISSUE] VARIOUS VARIETIES OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN JAPAN (PART 2): ADMIRING THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS AT CASTLES IN JAPAN
Tsuyama Castle in Spring, When Cherry Blossoms Bloom Like a Sea of Clouds
At Tsuyama Castle in spring, cherry blossoms blanket the stone walls, resembling a sea of clouds.
Photo: Tsuyama City Tourism Association
Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region of western Honshu. In its northeastern part, at the foot of the Chugoku Mountains, lies Tsuyama Castle in the heart of Tsuyama City. As one of western Japan’s premier cherry blossom spots, its breathtaking scenery, with blossoms in full bloom, is often compared to a sea of clouds. A member of the Tsuyama City Tourism Association spoke with us to highlight its charm.
A castle built on a hill in a plain is called a hirayama-jiro. Tsuyama Castle is considered one of the three great hirayama castles due to its grandeur and historical significance by enthusiasts etc., alongside Himeji Castle (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture; See Enjoy The Magnificent View of the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle and Cherry Blossoms in Harmony) and Matsuyama Castle (Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture). In spring, it is famous for its cherry blossoms, with approximately 1,000 trees in full bloom.
The nearest station, JR Tsuyama Station, is approximately a two-and-a-half-hour journey by Shinkansen and local train from Osaka City, the host of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. From Tsuyama Station, it takes about a 10-minute walk to reach the castle. KISHIMOTO Shogo from the Tsuyama City Tourism Association shares the following: “Construction of Tsuyama Castle was started by MORI Tadamasa1 in 1604 and completed in 1616. Tadamasa was the younger brother of MORI Ranmaru, a prominent retainer of the famous warlord ODA Nobunaga, who was active in the 16th century. The castle is known for its magnificent stone walls, which stretch about 45 meters in length and rise to heights of 7 to 13 meters, with the original walls still standing. Unfortunately, the main buildings of the castle, once numbering over 70, were dismantled during the Meiji period (from 1868 to 1912). However, in 2005, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of its construction, the Bicchu Yagura2 was restored. Today, the castle site has been developed into Kakuzan Park, named after the former area, Kakuzan, and approximately 1,000 cherry trees are planted there. The view of the cherry blossoms from the main keep is particularly beautiful and is often described as resembling a sea of clouds. This is due to the way the blossoms cover the massive stone walls, creating a cloud-like effect.”
Photo: Tsuyama City Tourism Association
Photo: Tsuyama City Tourism Association
The cherry blossoms at Tsuyama Castle include varieties such as the Somei-Yoshino, the single-petaled pink flowers of Jindai-Akebono, the double-petaled pale greenish-yellow flowers of Ukon-zakura, and the white flowers of the native Japanese species, Oshima-zakura. These blossoms vividly color the castle’s landscape with the arrival of spring. The peak bloom season typically occurs from late March to mid-April. Depending on the timing, yellow canola flowers3 bloom in certain areas, creating a beautiful contrast with the cherry blossoms, making it a popular spot for foreign tourists to enjoy photography.
“The Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in line the cherry blossoms’ bloom, featuring food stalls, Japanese taiko drum performances, and various dance events,” says KISHIMOTO. “The illuminated cherry blossoms at night are also enchanting, offering a different atmosphere compared to the daytime.”
Come and experience the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom, creating a sea of clouds, alongside the historic Tsuyama Castle—an exclusive spring spectacle.
- 1. Born in 1570, passed away in 1634. The first lord of Tsuyama Domain. He established the foundation for the construction of the castle town and the early modern governance system.
- 2. A building located on the stone walls built to the southeast of the main keep, serving dual purposes of enemy surveillance, storage, and defense. Bicchu refers to the historical province that included parts of present-day Okayama Prefecture.
- 3. General name for plants in the Brassicaceae family, such as canola.
By TANAKA Nozomi
Photo: Tsuyama City Tourism Association; PIXTA