Pizza Carnival in Shichinohe 2017

6th Pizza Carnival in Shichinohe 2017
第6回ピザカーニバルin七戸

Try original pizzas from 12 different shops!

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015
Time: 10:00-14:30*
(*Shops may close earlier if they sell out)
Location: Shichinohe Central Shopping Arcade (七戸中央商店街) (Map)
Admission: Free (purchase required for pizzas)



More Information:
Base of the Trip, Shichinohe Tourism Website (Japanese): http://www.shichinohe-kankou.jp/event_detail?id=00006957

Hirosaki Apple Blossom Festival 2017

Hirosaki Apple Blossom Festival 2017
弘前りんご花まつり (Hirosaki Ringo Hana Matsuri)

Enjoy the sight of apple blossoms blooming with snow-capped Mount Iwaki in the background.

Date: May 6-14, 2017
Time: 10:00-21:00
Location: Hirosaki Apple Park 弘前りんご公園 (map)
Admission: Free (some paid events)

Namioka Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Namioka Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
浪岡さくらまつり (Namioka Sakura Matsuri)

Enjoy various performances and cherry blossoms at the site of the Namioka Castle ruins.

Date: April 29-30, 2017
Time: Apr 29: 13:00～; Apr 30: 10:00～
Location: Namioka Castle Ruins 浪岡城跡 (map)
Admission: Free(?)

Kanagi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Kanagi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
金木桜まつり (Kanagi Sakura Matsuri)

Ashino Park in Kanagi Area, Goshogawara City is considered one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots.

Photo Source: aptinet

Date: April 29-May 5, 2017 Time: AM～21:00
Location: Ashino Park 芦野公園 (map)
Parking: 350 car parking lot: 500yen cars; 1000yen micro buses; 2000yen large buses (seats 20+)
Admission: Free

Itayanagi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Itayanagi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
いたやなぎ桜まつり (Itayanagi Sakura Matsuri)

A festival with music, dance, and food under the cherry blossom trees.

Date: Saturday April 29, 2017
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Iwakigawakasen Park 岩木川河川公園 (map)
Admission: Free

Shichinohe Hina Doll Festival 2017

7th Annual Shichinohe Hina Doll Festival 2017
第7回しちのへひなまつり (Shichinohe Hina Matsuri)

Hina Doll and other decorations displayed in various shops along the Shichinohe Central Shopping Arcade.

Date: April 21-23, 2017
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Shichinohe Central Shopping Arcade 七戸中央商店街 (map)
Admission: Free

Kuroishi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Kuroishi Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
第32回　平成29年　黒石さくらまつり (Kuroishi Sakura Matsuri)

Enjoy eating, drinking, events, night time "light up," and more at Kuroishi's famous spot for viewing cherry blossoms, Azuma Park.

Date: April 22-May 5, 2017
Time: 9:00-20:30 (lights turned off at 21:00)
Location: Kuroishi City Azuma Park 黒石市東公園 (map)
(free parking available)
Admission: Free

Towada Spring Festival 2017

Towada Spring Festival 2017
十和田市春まつり (Towada-Shi Haru Matsuri)

Enjoy various events such as horseback archery, yosakoi dance and koto performances under cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

Date: April 20 - May 5, 2016
Locations:Various
Admission: Free

Spring Festival in Oirase Town 2017

Spring Festival in Oirase Town 2017
おいらせ町春まつり (Oirase-cho Haru Matsuri)

Enjoy cherry blossom viewing at Icho Park and Shimoda Park in Oirase Town.

Date: April 29-May 7, 2017
Admission: Free
Locations:

• Icho Park いちょう公園 (map)
• Shimoda Park 下田公園 (map)

Towada Sakura Yabusame Exhibit in Hachinohe 2017

Towada Cherry Blossom Yabusame Exhibit in Hachinohe 2017
十和田桜流鏑馬展 (Towada Sakura Yabusame Ten)

A special exhibit about a major spring event of Towada City, "Sakura Yabusame" (cherry blossom horseback archery).

Date: March 18-19, 2017
Time: 11:00-18:00
Location: Hachinohe Shopping Center Lapia, 1st Floor Festa Plaza
八戸ショッピングセンターラピア １Ｆフェスタプラザ (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• Yabusame Photograph Display
• Past Poster Display
• Yabusame Competition Attire Display
• Yabusame Event Video Showings
• Japanese Small Item and Clothing & Accessories Display
• Rental Attire for Photo-Taking
• Sunday March 19: Yabusame Competitors' Wooden Horse Rapid Fire Exhibition Contest

Hachinohe Shopping Center Lapia 八戸ショッピングセンターラピア
2 Chome Kōyō14-1 (八戸市江陽２丁目１４−１)
Hachinohe City, Aomori 031-0801



More Information:
Facebook Event Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/events/657583827762683/

Risoukyo Flower Festivals 2017

Risoukyo's lovely botanical gardens are a hidden gem of Towada. In the spring/early summer it has three major flower festivals: lupin, Chinese peony, and Japanese iris festivals.

Tsugaru City Spring Festival 2017

Tsugaru City Spring Festival 2017
第2回つがる市春まつり (Tsugaru-shi Haru Matsuri)

Enjoy the various performances and events surrounded by 1200 cherry blossom trees of different varieties in full bloom.

Date: April 22-23, 2017
Time: April 22: 12:00-19:30; April 23: 10:00-14:30
Location: Hiratakanuma Park 平滝沼公園 (map)
Admission: Free

Sakura Yabusame 2017

Cherry Blossom Horseback Archery 2017
第14回桜流鏑馬 (Sakura Yabusame)
Facebook Event Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/events/1873770362869719/

Women's yabusame horseback archery competition under the cherry blossom trees!

Yokohama Nanohana Marathon 2017

Yokohama Nanohana Marathon 2017 菜の花マラソン大会
Website (Japanese): Currently Under Construction

The 27th annual "marathon" (10km, 5km, 3km, and 2km courses only) is part of the Canola Festival in Yokohama Town.

Date: Sunday May 21, 2017
Time: 10:15～ (Registration: 8:20-9:20)
Location: Mameda Special Event Site (大豆田特設会場) (map)
Registration Deadline: Friday March 25, 2016
Divisions: 10km; 5km; 3km; 2km
Entry Fees: (includes special sports towel)

• 2500yen High School Aged Students & Older
• 1000yen Junior High School Aged Students & Younger

Canola Festival in Yokohama Town 2017

Canola Festival in Yokohama Town 2017
2017 菜の花フェスティバルinよこはま (Nanohana Festival in Yokohama)

An event featuring a giant maze of golden canola fields, various canola-based and other local foods, stage shows, and more.

Date: May 20-21, 2017
Location: Mameda Special Event Site (大豆田特設会場) (map)
Admission: Free (fees may apply for some events)

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2017

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival 2017
弘前さくらまつり2017 (Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.hirosakipark.jp/sakura/

Hirosaki Park is of Japan's most beautiful spots for cherry blossom viewing!

(Page will be updated as more information becomes available)

Date: April 22 - May 7, 2017
Location: Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) (map)
Admission: Free and Paid Zones

Owani Town Azalea Photo Contest 2016

Owani Town Azalea Photo Contest 2016
つつじのまちフォトコンテスト (Tsutsuji no Machi Photo Contest)

Submission call for photographs taken during the 2016 Owani Onsen Azalea Festival that show the harmony between the Owani Town townscape and its local flower, the azalea.

Contest Details:

• Theme: Azaleas & Owani Townscape 「つつじと町並み」 (Tsutsuji to Machinami)

Camera Division

• Awards & Prizes
  
  • First Prize (1): Voucher for 1 Night Stay w/ 2 Meals for 2 People at Hoshino Resort Kai Tsugaru
    (The winning photo will be used for next year's Owani Onsen Azalea Festival Poster)
  • Runner Up Prize (2): Nissenren Voucher (20,000yen value)
• Photo Size/Specifications: 
  • A4 Size  (270 x 297mm) OR
  • Yotsukiri Size 四ツ切サイズ (254 x 305mm)
• Entry Submission Information:
  
  Entry Submission Address
  　〒038-0292 青森県南津軽郡大鰐町大字大鰐字羽黒館5-3
  　　　　　　 　   大鰐町企画観光課内フォトコンテスト係
  Owani Town Planning & Tourism Department, Photo Contest Division
  Hagurodate-5-3 Ōwani, Ōwani-machi, Minamitsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken 038-0211
  
  Required Entry Submission Information:
  タイトル Photograph Title
  住所 Address
  氏名 Photographer's Full Name
  電話番号 Phone Number
  
  Submission Deadline: Entries must be received by Friday June 10, 2016


• Result Announcement: Monday June 20, 2016
  (Results will be announced on the Owani Town Website and winners will be contacted by the Photo Contest Division)
• Photograph Exhibit: Entries will be displayed at the Owani Town Central Community Center (大鰐町中央公民館 - map) from June 25-July 30, 2016

Mobile Phone Camera Division (image processing app usage allowed)

• Awards & Prizes
  Winners of Each Award will Receive an Pair Voucher for 1 Night Stay w/ 2 Meals at Imagine Hotel & Resort Hakodate
  • "Light Up" Prize (1)
  • "Person/People & Azalea" Prize (1)
  • "Konan Railway Owani Line Best Shot" Prize (1)
    (Photos taken anywhere along the Owani Line are OK)
• Entry Submission Information:
  
  Email Photos to: tutuji.photocon[at]gmail.com
  
  Required Entry Submission Information:
  タイトル Photograph Title
  住所 Address
  氏名 Photographer's Full Name
  電話番号 Phone Number
  携帯機種名 Mobile Phone Model
  匿名希望の有無 Pseudonym (Yes/No)
  
  Submission Deadline: Entries must be received by Friday June 10, 2016


• Result Announcement: Monday June 27, 2016
  (Results will be announced on the Owani Town Website and winners will be contacted by the Photo Contest Division)
• Photograph Display: Entries will be displayed at the Owani Town Website Photo Contest Page as the occasion calls

Facebook Division

• Awards & Prizes
  
  • "Like" Prize (1): Choice of Pair Voucher for 1 Night Stay w/ 2 Meals at Imagine Hotel & Resort Hakodate OR Nissenren Voucher (20,000yen value)
• Entry Submission Information:
  
  Upload photo to Facebook page:
  https://www.facebook.com/つつじの町-ﾌｫﾄｺﾝﾃｽﾄ-1139918782717823/
  
  Required Entry Submission Information:
  タイトル Photograph Title
  お名前 Name or Nickname
  
  Submission Period: When azaleas start blooming until Friday June 10, 2016


• Result Announcement: Monday June 27, 2016
  (Results will be announced on the Facebook site and the winner will receive a message from contest staff)
• Photograph Display: Entries will be displayed at the Owani Town Website Photo Contest Page as the occasion calls

General Notes/Cautions:

• Works must be taken at the Chausuyama Park while the azaleas are in bloom
• Works submitted by elementary school aged or younger children will not be accepted
• Submitted works will become property of the contest sponsors.
• Submitted works will not be returned.
• Contest sponsors reserve the rights to display, publish, and otherwise control the use of submitted works in print, online, and other media.
• Any personal information submitted will only be used for contest-related purposes.

More Information:
Full Contest Information PDF File: Japanese
Owani Town Website (Japanese): http://www.town.owani.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,4456,34,163,html
Photo Contest Facebook Page (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/つつじの町-ﾌｫﾄｺﾝﾃｽﾄ-1139918782717823/

Owani Onsen Azalea Festival 2016

Owani Onsen Azalea Festival 2016
第39回大鰐温泉つつじまつり (Owani Onsen Tsutsuji Matsuri)

Enjoy various musical performances amidst vivid pink and purple azalea blossoms in full bloom.

Date: May 21-25, 2016
Location: Chausuyama Park 茶臼山公園 (map) Admission: Free

Kasamai Ohata Cherry Blossom Road Cherry Blossom Festival 2016

Kasamai Ohata Cherry Blossom Road Cherry Blossom Festival 2016
来さまい大畑桜ロードさくらまつり (Kasamai Ohata Sakura Road Sakura Matsuri)

Food sales, performances and a walk along one of the most popular cherry blossom lined roads in Aomori Prefecture.

Date: Tuesday May 3, 2016
Time: 10:30-15:00
Location: Mutsu City Ohata Central Park むつ市大畑中央公園（map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• 9:15～10:35 Cherry Blossom Road Walking Course
  (Registration from 9:00, Course Distance: 4.66km)
• 10:30～ Opening Ceremony
• 10:40～ Dancing Circle Ohata
• 11:20～ Song & Guitar Performance
• 12:00～ Jamie Peaks(?) Live Performance
• 12:30～ 100-Person Ohata Salmon Takikomigohan Norimaki
• 13:00～ Ohata Wind Orchestra
• Food Stalls
• Free Cherry Blossom Tea
• Etc.

Mutsu City Ohata Central Park むつ市大畑中央公園
Hachimanyuzaka Ōhatamachi (青森県むつ市大畑町八幡温坂)
Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture 039-4401


More Information:
Ohata Tourism Website (Japanese): http://ohatakanko.com/special/sakura2016/

Risoukyo Flower Festivals 2016

Risoukyo's lovely botanical gardens are a hidden gem of Towada. In the spring/early summer it has three major flower festivals: lupin, Chinese peony, and Japanese iris festivals.

See the website for a handy chart of predicted blooming times.
(Japanese only - look for "2016年 開花予測")

Status Legend

Japanese	English
ルピナス	Lupin
芍薬	Chinese Peony
花菖蒲	Japanese Iris
上旬	early (in the month)
中旬	mid-month
下旬	late (in the month)
つぼみ	bud
咲き始め	starting to bloom
見頃	best viewing period
三～吾分咲き	30-50% blooming
見納め	end of viewing period

Lupin Festival
ルピナスまつり (lupinus matsuri)
Date: May 28 - June 30, 2016
Description: Enjoy 10,000 flowers spread over 4000 square metres

Chinese Peony Festival
芍薬まつり (shakuyaku matsuri)
Date: June 4-19, 2016
Description: Enjoy about 2000 blooms of 140 varieties

Japanese Iris Festival
花菖蒲まつり (hanashoubu matsuri)
Date: June 18 - July 24, 2016
Description: Enjoy 20,000 flowers of 500 varieties

If you want to take a break while viewing the extensive gardens, try the traditional thatched-roof house turned restaurant, Risoutei (鯉艸亭). Among other things, it offers "handmade waterwheel soba" (手打ち水車そば teuchi suisha soba) made from buckwheat milled in the waterwheel near the entrance of the park, stewed apples (りんご煮 ringo-ni) for dessert, and perilla juice （しそジュース shiso juice）--all very refreshing on a hot summer day. (Risoutei is closed weekdays except for reservations in May. Open daily June-July.)

Risoutei

Handmade Waterwheel Soba

Stewed Apples

Perilla Juice

Location: Risoukyo 手作り村鯉艸郷 
Torigamori-2-10 Fukamochi (青森県十和田市深持鳥ケ森2−10)
Towada City, Aomori Prefecture 034-0106
0176-27-2516

Hours: 9:00-17:00 Daily April 29-July 31, 2016
(Open Sundays only, or on weekdays with reservations August-October; Closed November-April)
Admission: 

• Adults (High School-Aged & Up): 550yen (May: 300yen)
• Elementary-Junior High School Students: 200yen (May: 100yen)
• Groups (15+ people): 450yen (May: 270yen)
• Physically Disabled: 400yen (May: 200yen)

More Information:
Risoukyo Official Website (Japanese/English) http://www.risoukyo.com