Kakunodate

A former castle town famous for its samurai tradition and its hundreds of weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura). Kakunodate remains remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620, the town built with two distinct areas - the samurai district and the merchant district. Staying here affords the traveller a small-town atmosphere, with cafes, bars and restaurants on your doorstep. It is easy to explore with or without a local guide. Kakunodate is very famous and beautiful place during the cherry blossom season. During the Edo Period weeping cherry trees were imported from distant Kyoto by the local samurai families in an attempt to outperform each other in cultivating the most beautiful trees. Their efforts are still visible in the samurai district, where dozens of sakura line the streets. Also, several hundred cherry trees were later planted along Hinokinai River, which runs through Kakunodate and makes for one of Japan’s premier Hanami revelling spots.