Hitachi Cherry Blossom Festival & UNESCO Cultural Heritage
Around 14,000 cherry trees fill the city of Hitachi with pink blossoms from early to mid-April. During the cherry blossom festival, the cherry trees on Heiwa Street and Juo Panorama Park are illuminated as night falls. In fact, the festival is ranked among Japan’s 100 most beautiful cherry blossom areas!
On the first weekend in April, a spectacular parade takes place on Heiwa Street. During the festivities, 15-meter high and 8-meter wide festival floats are pulled down the road. Traditional puppet shows also take place on the floats. These puppet shows are said to have been performed since the mid-Edo Period and are recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.