Nighttime Cherry Blossom Viewing at Ueno Park, Hirosaki Park, and Takada Park in 2026

This video, titled "4K Japan's Top 3 Nighttime Cherry Blossom Spots｜Ueno Park｜Hirosaki Park｜Takada Park｜Famous Nighttime Cherry Blossom Locations｜Sakura｜Hanami｜Cherry Blossom Evening" (4K 日本三大夜桜 上野公園 弘前公園 高田公園 Top３ Night cherry Blossom 夜桜の名所 sakura hanami 花見 Cherry blossom evening), was uploaded by "Discover Nippon."
The video features plenty of beautiful 4K images showing the fantastic scenery of Ueno Park, Hirosaki Park, and Takada Park, which are known as the Top 3 Nighttime Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan.
This article provides sightseeing information on the 2026 cherry blossom events at Ueno Park, Hirosaki Park, and Takada Park.

First, be sure to check out the video to enjoy the fantastic views of the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom.
After seeing this you'll definitely want to visit these spots in person!

When Is the Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Ueno Park in 2026? Highlights and Festival Dates

Photo：Cherry blossoms at night in Ueno Park, Taito, Tokyo

Ueno Park, introduced at 0:19 in the video, is located in Taito, Tokyo, and is the first urban park in Japan, making it a place with a long history.
Officially named "Ueno Onshi Park," Ueno Park has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Historical Parks in Japan" and is also home to Ueno Zoo, museums, art galleries, and cafes such as Starbucks.
The park has also been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" and attracts a total of approximately 4 million visitors during the cherry blossom viewing season when all sorts of vendors and food stalls line its paths.

In Ueno Park, there are approximately 800 cherry trees of 50 species, and visitors can enjoy cherry blossom viewing for around two full months.
The most popular cherry blossom viewing spots are Sakura-dori (さくら通り), Shinobazu Pond (不忍池), and Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple, an Important Cultural Property.

The 77th Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival (うえの桜まつり) will be held from March 14 to April 5, 2026.
During the festival, approximately 800 "bonbori" (Japanese paper lamps) will be lit to create a fantastic illuminated scene. The bonbori light-up will run from March 20 (Fri, public holiday) to April 19 (Sun), 2026, from sunset until around 8:00 p.m.
Ueno Park is just a two-minute walk from Ueno Station on all lines, and a one-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station off the Keisei Main Line.

When Is the Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms at Hirosaki Park in 2026? Special Highlights You Won't Want to Miss

Photo：Cherry blossoms at night at Hirosaki Park, Hirosaki, Aomori

Hirosaki Park, located in Hirosaki, Aomori, is introduced at 3:02 in the video.
The highlights of Hirosaki Park include Hirosaki Castle's keep and three turrets, which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.

Hirosaki Park is home to approximately 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties that bloom each year.
The most famous is the large weeping cherry tree (Shidarezakura), which was planted in 1914.
The 2026 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり), where you can enjoy nighttime cherry blossoms, will be held from April 17 (Fri) to May 5 (Tue, public holiday), 2026 — a total of 19 days. In response to the recent trend of earlier blooming, the festival will begin earlier than usual this year (dates are subject to change depending on blooming conditions). Special nighttime illumination of the cherry blossoms will take place every evening throughout the festival, and various events are also planned, including boat tours on Hirosaki Park's middle moat.

Please note that 2026 is a particularly significant year for Hirosaki Castle. As part of ongoing stone wall repair work, the castle keep is scheduled to be moved back to its original foundation from July 2026 — its first relocation in approximately seven years. As a result, public access to the interior of the keep was suspended on November 23, 2025, and visitors will not be able to enter the keep during the 2026 cherry blossom festival. That said, the stunning springtime view of cherry blossoms, the castle keep, and the Tsugaru Fuji (Mt. Iwakisan) remains as breathtaking as ever.

There is also a reservation-only "cherry blossom viewing party," which is popular because it allows visitors to enjoy Tsugaru's local cuisine while viewing the cherry blossoms, with no need to bring anything along.
It is a 20-minute walk from JR Hirosaki Station, and there is a parking lot nearby.

When Is the 2026 Kanoukai Held at Takada Park? Nighttime Cherry Blossoms and the Three-Story Turret

Photo：Cherry blossoms at night at Takada Castle Site Park, Joetsu, Niigata

At 5:19 in the video, Takada Park is introduced.
As of April 1, 2020, the name of this park was changed to "Takada Castle Site Park" (高田城址公園).
Takada Castle Site Park (Takada Park) in Joetsu, Niigata, is a large approximately 50-hectare park that includes the restored three-story turret of Takada Castle, the Municipal Museum (renovated into a Museum of History), and sports facilities.
You can also check out live cameras of Takada Castle Site Park on the "Gurutto Shinetsu" (ぐるっと信越, ※Japanese only) website.
In addition to cherry blossoms, the park is also famous for its beautiful lotus flowers.

Takada Castle Site Park (Takada Park) is home to approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino cherry) trees illuminated by bonbori lanterns, creating a breathtaking nighttime spectacle.
The 101st Takada Castle Site Park Kanoukai (Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival) will be held from April 3 (Fri) to April 19 (Sun), 2026. Nighttime illumination will also take place during the event (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., extended until 10:00 p.m. during peak bloom). Various events are also planned, including stage performances, a local product fair, and a photo contest. (Please check the official website for details.)

To get to Takada Park, it is a 15-minute walk from Takada Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway, or approximately a 10-minute drive from Joetsu-Takada IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway. A parking lot is available.

Japan's Top 3 Nighttime Cherry Blossom Spots in 2026: Ueno Park, Hirosaki Park & Takada Park

This video introduces the Top 3 Nighttime Cherry Blossom Spots of Japan in stunning detail.
Enjoy the spectacular nighttime views of cherry blossoms lit up and glowing in beautiful shades of pink.
Each of the three spots has its own unique charm — be sure to visit during the 2026 cherry blossom season!

【Official Website】Ueno Park/Ueno Onshi Park Official Website - Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Construction
https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno/en_index.html

【Official Website】Hirosaki Park
https://www.hirosakipark.jp/en/