This park along the banks of the Kitakami River is known as a cherry-blossom viewing spot. There are about 10,000 cherry trees in about 150 varieties, and the park has been chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association. The row of cherry trees that extends for 2 kilometres from Sangobashi Bridge along the banks of the Kitakami river is also counted as one of the “three famous cherry blossom spots in Michinoku (Tohoku)” alongside Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture and Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. 

The Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held from 15 April to 6 May, bustles with crowds of cherry blossom fans who visit from all over Japan. There’s much to enjoy, including vivid carp streamers that add colour to the sky over the Kitakami River, pleasure boats floating on the river, nostalgic sightseeing horse-drawn carriages running along the line of cherry trees, and the beautifully illuminated lines of cherry trees reflected on the river surface. Please note that there are transport restrictions during the festival period. 

The red and white azaleas that begin to bloom from May are also splendidly beautiful. 

There is plenty to be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults, including the Michinoku Folklore Village, which has a collection of historic buildings such as old residences, merchant’s houses, and samurai residences that have been relocated to the village and restored, as well as the Kitakami City Municipal Museum, Sato Hachiro Memorial Hall, and children’s parks.