🌸Springtime has come to Fukuoka 🌸

Springtime in Fukuoka has come. 

Noted as one of the best places to watch the sakura blooms in Fukuoka, Maizuru Park will once again host the “Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival”. 

At night, the sakura and walls of the castle are bathed in light, giving the park a totally different complexion from the daytime. Food, fairs, and plenty of other events are also scheduled. From stamp rallies to limited-time openings of historical buildings and street performances, there will be plenty to enjoy while at the event. 

This year will also mark the appearance of the “Springtime Castle Keep” as well! Enjoy the blooming flowers and beautiful castle keep during the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival!

Sakura Light-Up
(Paid Area)

The illuminated castle walls and cherry blossoms make
for a wondrous scene.

At night Maizuru Park will be illuminated, giving it a distinctly unique flavor from the park during the day. Additionally, for a limited time the cherry blossom orchard, Tamon-yagura turret, and Site of the Otaka Residence will all be opened to the public, allowing spectators to see parts of the park not normally available for viewing. 

Time: 18:00 ~ 22:00 (*Last entry is at 21:45)
Cost: Entry to one of the sites is 600 yen, for all three 1,500 yen. High school students and younger are free of charge. 

Sakura Orchard presented by Mizoe Group
*The base of the castle keep where the “Springtime Castle Keep” is located will be partially open.
*When entering the sites please follow the instructions of the staff for the safety of everybody involved. 
Hakata Mizutaki Taiwa Presents the Site of The Otaka Residence
THEATER 010 & GohGan Present Tamon-yagura Turret
 

Regarding ticket purchases

A set ticket that affords access to all three light-up areas (the Sakura Orchard, the Site of the Otaka Residence Ruins, and Tamon-yagura Turret) is available for 1,500 yen online. Please consider purchasing it if you wish to visit all of them.

*Entry is free for high school students and younger.
*Depending on the payment・collection method, there may be a separate processing fee. For more information please confirm with the ticket vending website. 
*Tickets purchased online must be exchanged onsite for an official entry ticket.
*The ticket is only valid for one day.
*These tickets are not priority tickets, so you may be asked to wait in line upon arrival.
*Ticket refunds or changes are not possible after purchasing. 

>> Visitors from abroad can purchase them from KKday. *These tickets can also be purchased from within Japan

Enjoy a bite while gazing at the flowers! Food guide

Going flower viewing at the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival means not only will you be able to get your ‘fill’ of flowers, but you’ll also be able to fill up with food and drink as you do! Popular stores and staples of Japanese fairs will set up shop throughout the venue, with there even being opportunities to sample famed Yame tea, sweets, and even Japanese sake. With a special venue for barbecuing and flower viewing also having been prepared, everybody will be able to enjoy the flowers to the fullest!

SUNTORY presents: Sakura Dining Area

Time: From 11:00 ~ 22:00 (last entry is at 21:30)

In addition to festival classics, there will be plenty of special menu items that can only be sampled here. A varied
selection of sweets and drinks help complete the line-up. Popular stores in Fukuoka and local cuisines from around the area will be setting up shop here, ready to bring both the mirth and flavor!

Flower Viewing Square

Time: From 11:00 ~ 22:00 (last entry is at 20:00)

For a limited time during the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival, you will be able to watch the flower blooms as well as the recently rebuilt Shiomi-yagura Turret. The “Flower Viewing Square” is open! 
You can also get to grilling with your own ingredients at the BBQ there!

Sakura Tea House

Time: From 11:00 ~ 22:00 (last entry is at 21:30)

This tea house will be set up around the picturesque Tamon-yagura turret, a nationally designated cultural landmark surrounded by beautiful Someiyoshino cherry blossoms. Enjoy a cup of tea from famed tea-producer Yame while sampling sweets. You can also enjoy drinking Japanese sake here! 

Sakura Fair

Time: From 11:00 ~ 22:00 (last entry is at 21:30)

The Sakura Fair will be held again this year in the Maizuru Park entrance area near the former courthouse. Enjoy some 40 stalls that will thrill children and adults alike.

>>For more information on food, dining, and reservations, click here.　

Event Information

Fukuoka Castle・Korokan Stamp Rally

Go around the venue and collect stamps all while learning about the history of Fukuoka Castle and the Korokan. If you manage to get all 11 stickers you will receive a lovely prize!

Duration: March 26th (Wednesday) ~ April 6th (Sunday)
How to participate: Receive a designated stamp paper and imprint all 11 stamps on it. 
Prize: If you win all 11 locations, you will receive an advance reservation card for tickets to a Fukuoka Softbank Hawks game + a 20% off coupon for BOSS E・ZOFUKUOKA next to the Mizuho PayPay Dome!
Prize exchange location: At the information booth near the Korokan Square. You can make the exchanges from 11:00 ~ 17:00. 

[Note]

*One can only participate once at a time for the duration of the rally. 
*Prize returns and exchanges are not permitted. 
*Due to unavoidable circumstances there may be instances in which the prize must be changed. We ask for your understanding in this.
*The baseball ticket will require an online application, with a separate fee applying.
*For more information on the days usable with the advance reservation card, please check on the reservation site.
*When reserving seats at the baseball game please be aware that there may be times when seats are sold out. 

 Sakura Kids’ Park (paid area)

In the Korokan Square and Sannomaru Square there will be a large inflatable playground set up for kids! Usable by children 3 and older.

Location: Korokan Square, Sannomaru Square
Duration: March 26th (Wednesday) ~ April 6th (Sunday), 11:00 ~ 17:00 (*Last entry at 16:30)
Cost: 500 yen ~ 1,500 yen
*For more details confirm onsite.

Special Public Viewing of Historical Structures in Fukuoka Castle

The interior of Tamon-yagura turret, a nationally designated important cultural property, and other historical buildings will be opened to the public.

Dates: March 29th (Saturday) ~ March 30th (Sunday), 10:00 ~ 16:00 either day
Location: Tamon-yagura Turret/Shimonohashi Gate/(Formerly known as) Shiomi-yagura Turret
Fee: Free
*The recently reconstructed original Shiomi-yagura Turret will open on March 17th. 

Fukuoka Castle・Sakura Volunteer Guide

Volunteer guides will provide explanations and lead visitors through the Site of the Otaka Residence of Josui Kuroda (peony gardens), which is dotted with cherry trees collected from various places and with different stories behind them.

Dates: March 29th (Saturday)・March 30th (Sunday), Each day 12:00 ~ 16:00
Location: Site of the Otaka Residence

Sakura Street Performances

Japan's leading street performers will appear in Maizuru Park where cherry blossoms are in full bloom! Enjoy the amazing performances!

Duration: March 26th (Wednesday) ~ April 6th (Sunday)
Location: (1) Kaminohashi, (2) Sakura Dining Area Stage, (3) Korokan Square (near Eastern Gate area) (4) Sannomaru Square (Near Najima Gate).
*Depending on the weather, performances may be changed or cancelled. 

Fukuoka Castle Samurai Horseback Riding 

Experience the culture and history of Fukuoka Castle on horseback? Both adults and children can enjoy this
activity with peace of mind.

Duration: March 26th (Wednesday) ~ April 6th (Sunday), 11:00 ~ 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30), *First come, first served basis 
Location: Sannomaru Square
Cost: 1,500 per person, for 2 people (one child and one adult) 2,000 yen
*The event may be cancelled in the event of poor weather or if the horse is unwell. 

Rickshaw Activity

Get on a rickshaw and ride around during the Sakura Festival! Those with disabilities don’t have to worry either! With a specially made accessibility ramp anybody can enjoy
a ride on the rickshaw. Also features a specially set up side-car for small children and even opportunities to snap some commemorative photos!

Students from the Occupational Therapy Department of Fukuoka Medical, Health and Sports College will support the event.

Duration: March 27 (Thursday) to March 29 (Saturday), 11:00 to 17:00 *to be cancelled in case of rain
Venue: 15-to-20-minute course around Korokan Plaza
Cost: Adults 1,500 yen, Children (elementary school students and under) 500 yen
*The tour may be cancelled without notice in the event of inclement weather (rain, strong winds), poor health of rickshaw puller, etc.

Notice from the Sakura Festival

• Reserving spots with sheets in the park while unattended is prohibited.
• One cannot set fires (including those with electrical sources) outside of the designated area. 

Introduction to the Sakura of Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park)

The cherry blossoms of Fukuoka Castle continue to bloom in full glory. Maizuru Park, home to historical sites such as the ruins of Fukuoka Castle—built by Kuroda Kanbei and his son Nagamasa, the founding lords of the Fukuoka domain—and the ancient guesthouse Korokan. In spring roughly 1,000
someiyoshino, shidarezakura, and yamazakura cherry blossom varietals throw open their lovely blooms.

This year also marks the full restoration of the true Shiomi-yagura Turret, restored using materials and knowledge from the Edo period. We hope you will come and enjoy both the beautiful flowers and rich history of the area. 

🌸Kaminohashi Bridge

The view of rows and rows of someiyoshino cherry blossoms is reflected on the surface of the moat next to the Kaminohashi bridge.

🌸Shimonohashi Gate

In this area, where Shimonohashi gate and (formerly known as) Shiomi-yagura Turret are located, many kanzan cherry trees of the satozakura variety are planted along the edge of the moat and can be enjoyed even after someiyoshino cherry trees have bloomed. For this year, the Shiomi-yagura Turret has been restored and is expected to become a new symbol of park.

🌸Sakura Orchard

In the Sakura orchard, where many someiyoshino cherry trees are planted, visitors can enjoy being surrounded in the beautiful sea of pink flowers. For the duration of the festival, the “Springtime Castle Keep” appears atop the castle ruins, and the fantastic interplay with the illuminated cherry blossoms at night is a must-see.

🌸Tamon-yagura Turret

Tamon-yagura Turret, a designated nationally important cultural property, offers an atmospheric view of the someiyoshino cherry blossoms.

🌸Shidarezakura (Weeping Sakura) Area

In the rows of cherry trees in Ninomaru, about 20 weeping cherry trees are planted along a 150-meter stretch, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms along with the stonewalls of Fukuoka Castle.

🌸Site of the Otaka Residence 

At the site of the Otaka Residence (also known as Peony Garden), known as the former residence of Kanbei Kuroda, many varieties of cherry trees, including usuzumizakura and naden, are planted, and can be enjoyed from late March for an extended period of time.

*For more information on each event and updates, please check the official Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival website. 

Duration: 

The Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival
March 26th (Wednesday) ~ April 6th (Sunday)
-  Sakura Light Up (paid area) 18:00 ~ 22:00 (*Last entrance is at 21:45)
-  Sakura Dining Area: 11:00 ~ 22:00 (*Last entrance is at 21:30)
-  Fukuoka Castle・Korokan Stamp Rally: 11:00 ~ 17:00 (prize exchange time)

Special Public Viewing of Historical Structures in Fukuoka Castle
March 29th (Saturday) ~ March 30th (Sunday)
Fukuoka Castle・Sakura Volunteer Guide 
March 29th (Saturday) ~ March 30th (Sunday), from 12:00 ~16:00 each day

*Some of these events will be reservation only. Please check the official website

Cost

Entry is free of charge (though some areas will be paid)
Sakura light-up (paid area) 
For one area, 600 yen, for a set of all three, 1,500 yen.
Sakura Kids’ Park (paid area)
500 yen ~ 1,500 yen

There will also be other paid events outside of these.

Other

 ・Some events require reservations. Please check the official website for details.
・The schedule and content of each event and sightseeing tour may be subject to change depending on the blooming of cherry blossoms, weather conditions, and other factors. Please check the official website for details.

Notice from “Fukuoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival”

・Reserving spots with sheets in the park while unattended is prohibited.
・The use of fire (including electric heat sources) is prohibited in the park except in designated areas.

Queries

Fukuoka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival Executive Committee Office (Parks Department Utilization Division, Housing and Urban Affairs Bureau, Fukuoka City)

Telephone: 092-600-7027 (Office hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00 *Saturday and Sunday are also available during the Cherry Blossom Festival)