Tōhoku in Full Bloom: The Sakura Festival of Kakunodate

The weeping cherry trees of the Samurai District are at their finest toward the end of April.

The Hinokinai River runs through the heart of Kakunodate.

Like the Samurai District, the Hinokinai River embankment was chosen as one the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan.

Only elite samurai who had made a great contribution to the clan were permitted to construct a gate in the high-roofed yakuimon style.