Kitakami City Park Tenshochi

This park is located along Kitakami River which runs north to south at the center of Iwate. Famous for its cherry blossoms, the 29,300㎡ premises host nearly 10,000 cherry trees. The 2km-long cherry promenade from Sango Bridge is well-known and selected into “the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” From mid April to early May, “Kitakami Tenshochi Cherry Festival” is held each year. During the festival, a carriage goes along the cherry promenade and a monster sword dance and other traditional arts are performed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

In the park, there are Tenshochi Rest House in the image of Nanbu domain’s traditional rice storehouse, Michinoku Folk Village with 28 wings of historical architecture transferred and rebuilt here, Toneyama Kojin Memorial Museum, and many other attractions.

The park is also known for azaleas. About 100,000 bushes of them reach the peak from mid May through early June. A trail and a cycling road are available for a year-round fun.