Maruoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 丸岡城桜まつり

The only existing castle tower in Hokuriku Maruoka Castle, also called Kasumigajo, stands on a hill amid a flat plain and has the oldest existing castle tower in the area. During cherry blossoms season in spring, the castle appears to float in the midst of a sea of pink blossoms—an incredible sight. The area around Maruoka Castle was established as Kasumigajo Park, a Japanese garden-style park, and is designated one of the top 100 historical parks in Japan.

Maruoka Castle and Kasumigajo Park are accessible by bus from Fukui and Awara Onsen stations on the JR Hokuriku Main Line.

You can catch a Keifuku Bus bound for Maruoka Castle either from JR Fukui Station (40 minutes) or from JR Awara Onsen Station (20 minutes).

During this season, 300 bonbori (paper lanterns) light up the castle, making it a wonderful place to view the cherry blossoms at night. A projection mapping event illuminates the castle tower during cherry blossom season with images based on legends about the castle.

The Maruoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival takes place between April 1 and 20, with the dates depending on when the trees bloom. The blossoms are lit up from 6 to 10 p.m.