Preparations are underway for the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, which opens on April 12th, and we are now beginning to see what stalls will be set up at the festival.

The Hirosaki Sakura Festival, held in Hirosaki Park where 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties, mainly Somei-Yoshino, are in bloom, is also known for the various stalls lined up. It is a traditional system that continues from the predecessor of the Hirosaki Sakura Festival, the Cherry Blossom Viewing Association, and is managed by the Hirosaki Sakura Festival Support Association, which is organized by the festival stalls.

As of April 9th, there are 133 outdoor stalls set up this year, broken down into 120 concession stands, 1 showroom, and 12 ice cream stands. Next to the picnic square, which has traditionally been an area for newcomers to set up stalls, Hirosaki City is calling for new stalls for the first time in three years, with four restaurants and one general goods store opening.

According to Katsuo Yamazaki of the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival Support Association, this year there are nine stalls that have been reorganized or changed their names to joint management, including stalls selling craft beer and s'mores (roasted marshmallows). "This is the first time the festival has been held since COVID-19 ended and restrictions were lifted, but three stores are closed. Issues such as an aging workforce and a lack of successors remain, and many stores have closed due to COVID-19, but new businesses are on the rise," he said. "There will also be no motorcycle circus stalls this year due to a lack of successors," he added.

The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April 12th to May 5th.