The Aomori Spring Festival opened on April 13th at Gappo Park (Gappo 2, Aomori City).

The Aomori Spring Festival is held every year in conjunction with the cherry blossom season. This year, for the first time in five years, the festival will be held without COVID-19 restrictions. The Aomori Spring Festival will also be held at Nogizaka Park (Hashiro) from the 24th.

A popular cherry blossom viewing spot for locals, Gaiura Park has 645 cherry trees, including Somei-yoshino, Yaebenishidar, and Ooyamazakura. According to Yoichi Chiba, chairman of the Aomori Spring and Autumn Festival Executive Committee, the trees will begin to bloom on the 15th and will be in full bloom around the 19th.

Blessed with fine weather following the first day, the 14th saw many families and students visiting the park for an outing. Along the walking paths in the park, there were about 50 stalls selling things like "rakugaki rice crackers" and "bomb-shaped porridge," and customers who bought things enjoyed themselves by sitting on their own picnic sheets or in the gazebos.

A woman in her 30s who was visiting with her family from Aomori city said, "The flowers haven't bloomed yet this year, but my son begged me to come because he wanted to check out the food stalls. I want to come again when they're in full bloom so I can enjoy the flowers at my own pace."

During this period, lanterns in the park will be lit up from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

The event will be held from 8:30 to 21:00 (the information desk is open until 19:00). Admission is free. Parking is 600 yen. Until the 29th of this month.