【感動の桜旅】外国人が青森で体験！言葉を失う日本一の美しさ【外国人の反応】

Even before entering Hirosaki Park, the outer moat is lined with cherry trees, creating an unbelievable 'cherry blossom blizzard' as petals fall. It's so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes, and I was impressed before even reaching the main venue. Just walking around here soothes your heart.

Enter the paid area of Hirosaki Park to see Hirosaki Castle. I bought a common admission ticket for three facilities, which is valid for one day, allowing multiple entries. The castle tower has been temporarily moved about 70m from its original location using a 'house-moving' technique for stone wall repairs. This special view, with the castle on temporary stone walls, is a rare sight that can only be seen until 2025 (this year), before it returns to its original place after 2026. It's the perfect timing to see it up close.

Walk through the incredibly beautiful cherry blossom tunnel, a 360-meter-long road lined with 110 Somei Yoshino cherry trees on both sides. The blossoms seem to cover everything, stretching into the distance with no end in sight. It's an amazing and peaceful walk, perfect for reflecting on spring as a turning point in life, a unique Japanese cultural experience.

While strolling through the park, I heard the beautiful sound of a shamisen. I followed the music and found a foreigner, Mateos Bitenku from Brazil, playing. He came all the way to Aomori to train in Tsugaru shamisen, and his performance perfectly fit the atmosphere. It was a wonderful, dream-like encounter, seeing someone dedicate their life to this art amidst such beauty.

Japanese festivals are amazing for their rows of food stalls, offering delicious food and a chance to communicate with locals. With over 100 stalls every year, it's hard to choose! I tried two local specialties: black konnyaku and Dakekimi corn tempura. Food stalls are an indispensable and important part of the culture, making festivals lively.

One essential thing for enjoying cherry blossom viewing is beer! I found a calm spot under a weeping cherry tree to relax and enjoy my Dakekimi tempura with a cold beer. This is the most luxurious time, truly experiencing the amazing Japanese hanami culture. The roots of hanami go back to the Nara period, evolving from plum blossom appreciation to cherry blossoms in the Heian period, and spreading to common people in the Edo period thanks to the shogun. It's a happy and luxurious time, a real Japan experience you can't get anywhere else, where culture, history, people, and food gather.

I made a reservation at 'Adohadari,' an izakaya near Hirosaki Park, as restaurants can be hard to get into during cherry blossom season. This place offers more than just food; it's a great experience. I ordered the 'Hanami Set,' featuring seven dishes of local cuisine, which is a must during the festival. The Tsugaru pickles were delicious, perfectly paired with a local sake tasting set. Each dish is carefully made, and the local cuisine goes perfectly with local sake, allowing you to truly get to know the land, culture, and history through the food. I also tried Igamenchi, a Hirosaki specialty made of squid legs and vegetables wrapped in wheat, which was delicious and paired perfectly with local sake.

At Adohadari, you can listen to live Tsugaru shamisen performances up close, a rare opportunity. After the performance, I even had the chance to try playing the shamisen myself! It was a bit heavy, but with guidance, I was able to play 'Sakura.' It was a truly moving experience, and I was glad I studied Japanese numbers to follow the instructions. This wonderful restaurant offers beautiful local cuisine, local sake, and such a fantastic cultural performance.

After dinner, I returned to Hirosaki Park to see the cherry blossoms at night, which are beautifully lit up. It's a completely different world from the daytime, with a magical atmosphere. The lighting is thoughtfully designed to capture the trees' beauty, creating a collaboration between nature and human technology. The weeping cherry blossoms look like a waterfall, and the trees appear to be floating. It's the most beautiful night sakura I've ever seen, truly breathtaking. You can also see Hirosaki Castle behind the weeping cherry blossoms, which is the height of emotion. Since my ticket allows multiple entries, I went back to the observation deck to capture photos of the castle tower and cherry blossoms, especially since this unique view is only available until 2025 (this year). It's amazing to be able to drink beer in public while enjoying such a beautiful view, a freedom I appreciate in Japan.