2025 Ina Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

#cherryblossom25 About Takato Castle Takato Castle, with a rich historical backdrop, traces its origins to the Sengoku period during the time of Takeda Shingen and his conquest of Shinano. As a critical strategic point, Takato Castle was entrusted to trusted commanders like Akiyama Nobutomo, Suwa Katsuyoshi, and Nishina Morinobu. One of the most notable battles in Takato’s history is the Battle of Takato Castle. During the Kōshū Campaign, the Takeda forces, overwhelmed by the advancing Oda army, largely retreated. However, the castle lord Nishina Morinobu (one of Shingen’s five sons) led a valiant defense with just a handful of soldiers against Oda Nobutada’s troops, ultimately resulting in a tragic yet heroic end to Takeda’s final battle. Today, Nishina Morinobu is enshrined as the "New Castle God" at Fujiwara Shrine located on the castle grounds. After the Edo period, the castle site saw changes under several feudal families, including the Kyōgoku, Hōsaka, and Torii families. With the Meiji Restoration, the castle was abandoned, and most of the structures were sold off. However, the cherry blossoms now filling the ruins owe their existence to the decision of former Takato clan retainers who transplanted sakura trees here. Today, 150 years later, these trees bloom every spring, turning the area into a famous cherry blossom destination, attracting countless visitors. Travel Tips: By bus: From Ina Station, take a bus to Takato Station (around 590 yen). Please note that the buses run infrequently, so make sure to confirm the timetable in advance. Whether you're a history buff or a cherry blossom enthusiast, Takato Castle Ruins offers both a glimpse into Japan’s past and a breathtaking springtime spectacle. 🌸 #travel

#cherryblossom25 After living in Japan for years, it’s rare for cherry blossoms to leave me speechless. I’ve already visited all the famous spots, but the blossoms at Takato Castle still took my breath away! The whole mountain is covered in towering cherry trees, creating endless beautiful photo opportunities. I couldn’t stop taking pictures with my phone! 📱🌸 For those in search of cherry blossoms, this place is perfect! It’s not crowded with international tourists, just mostly locals. Though it's a bit far, located in Nagano Prefecture, it’s definitely worth the trip. The park has food stalls serving delicious street food, and the entrance fee is only ¥600 (around 30 RMB). You can spend the whole day here, and in the evening, there’s a light show that makes the cherry blossoms glow under the night sky! 🌟🌸 Sadly, we didn’t have enough time to stay for the night view. If you’re traveling from Tokyo, renting a car for a round trip works well—it’s about a 3-hour drive each way. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting! 🚗🌸 Name: Takato Castle Ruins Park Address: 396-0213 Nagano Prefecture, Ina City, Takato-machi, Higashitakato 📍 Takatomachi Higashitakato, Ina, Nagano 396-0213, Japan #travel

#cherryblossom25 If you're tired of the overabundance of Yoshino cherries everywhere, then experience a different kind of cherry blossom! 📍Located at Takato Castle Ruins Park in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, the star here is the Takato Shōbiran Cherry 🌸 It’s a variety unique to Ina City, and unlike the common Yoshino cherry, ✔️ The flowers are smaller ✔️ The petals are more pink ✔️ From a distance, it’s not a sea of white, but a soft pale pink hue, especially in the evening when the sunset casts a dreamy filter, resembling the cherry blossoms from anime 💗🌅 What’s interesting is that its light pink tone is not as deep as the Kawazu cherry, nor as white as the Yoshino cherry—it’s the perfect balance, refreshing yet not overwhelming. 🎌 Although it’s not as well-known internationally, in Japan, it’s the second largest cherry blossom viewing spot after Hirosaki Park in Aomori! 📸 If you want to collect the dreamiest page of your cherry blossom photo book, Takato Castle Ruins is definitely worth a visit 💖 #travel

#cherryblossom25 If it weren’t for the traffic jam of cherry blossom viewing cars on the Ina road, I probably would’ve never had the chance to pass by Rokudō no Tsutsumi. At first, it was just a small, square-shaped pond I spotted on the map—slightly off the path from Takato Castle Ruins. Later, it became my plan B while I waited for the jam to ease. Honestly, I had no expectations for it at all, but that didn’t stop it from completely surprising me. It’s hard to imagine that such a tiny spot could bring together cherry blossoms, blue skies, crystal waters, and snow-capped mountains all at once. Compared to the crowded famous spots, this little haven lets you truly slow down and take in every detail. This modest embankment, originally built for irrigation, now feels like a small garden grown from the progress of human civilization. The Southern Alps generously lend their scenery here, turning the place into a picture-perfect view that doesn’t need a frame. As I walked across the embankment, a petal drifted into the hood of my coat. It became a bookmark of this spring, a tiny piece of memory I carried back with me to Tokyo. 📖🌸 #travel

High Far City Toe Park There are really cherry blossoms all over the sky, tall and big, and growing evenly Located in Sakura Ina, Nagano. Probably no one really has heard of this place, and the transportation is not particularly convenient. It became difficult to go. But that’s completely wrong, because many people will drive there And 98 percent are Japanese. What is planted here is the cherry blossoms from the high and far other shore. I was on 4/12 just in time for very good weather There are snow-capped mountains in the background to complement each other. It is recommended to take the Central Line Special Express from Shinjuku Sit to Kayano Station and rent a car It would probably be a better way, because of the Iida Line where Ina Kita Station is located The train frequency is one to two hours. Parking also needs to allow sufficient time Because it is full time many people will drive Close to all temporary parking lots open It took me a couple of hours to park down. The nearest park parking lot 1000 yen a day Other peripheral temporary ones are free. The entrance fee to Cherry Blossom Season Park is 600 yen You can enter again on the day. The best cherry blossoms in the world Cherry blossoms in Gaoyuan Castle Park

#cherryblossom25 Nestled in the Japanese Alps of Nagano, this samurai fortress-turned-park is famed for its 1,500+ deep pink kohigan cherries—a rare variety so vivid it’s called "Takato Red". Unlike pale Somei-Yoshino, these smaller, richer-hued blossoms blanket the ruins in a crimson-tinged dreamscape, backed by snow-capped peaks. 🌸Why It’s Legendary ✔ Samurai Sakura– Many trees planted by Takeda Shingen’s generals in the 1500s ✔ Alpine Backdrop – Blossoms contrast with the North Alps’ lingering snow(best mid-April) ✔ Night Samurai – Armor-clad performers patrol illuminated paths during festivals

#cherryblossom25 Takato Castle, located in Nagano Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most renowned cherry blossom viewing spots—often ranked among the country’s top three sakura destinations. Every spring, around 1,500 Takato Kohigan-zakura trees bloom here, their soft pink petals cloaking the historic castle ruins in a dreamlike, romantic atmosphere.

#cherryblossom25 Tucked along a 1.2km canal in Kyoto’s Nishigamo district, this lesser-known sakura spot offers a crowd-free alternative to the famous Philosopher’s Path. Named after the "Six Realms" of Buddhist cosmology, the tranquil waterway is lined with 150+ cherry trees, their petals drifting like whispers of impermanence—a perfect setting for contemplative hanami. 📍 Location: Along Nishigamo Canal, Kyoto

#cherryblossom25 What sets Takato Castle’s cherry blossoms apart is their unique color—a delicate reddish-pink—and their fine, layered petals that appear especially tender under the spring sunlight. From the higher vantage points, you can gaze out over a sea of blossoms, as if the entire landscape were awash in waves of soft pink. It’s truly breathtaking.

Date of shooting 2025/4/11 Gaoyuan City Site Park How many people have heard of it? One of the three famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan The cherry blossoms here are really big and tall, and they grow densely enough. Belongs to the local variety of high and far other side cherry. Daytime is certainly great The cherry blossom lighting at night is equally beautiful, but it requires a lot of equipment and skills. This year coincides with the 150th anniversary of the opening of the park There are special lighting on the ground. There are really quite a lot of people, it is very difficult to take a picture of no one. Worth a visit though. An entrance fee of 600 yen will be charged during the cherry blossom season You can buy tickets on the spot or online in advance for smoother entry. There is a temporary parking lot nearby, and those closest to the park are charged 1000 yen. There are also snack stalls in the park. Always approach the road is relatively narrow and prone to traffic jams, remember to allow enough time. Lighting time 6pm to 9pm. Ina City #Nagano Prefecture #Takato Castle Site Park #The World's No. 1 Cherry Blossoms #Cherry Blossoms #Cherry Blossoms

Kasuga City Trail Park It should be the second place in the city of Ina, after Takato City. But fame seems far worse. However, the viewing of the flowers is really unbeatable, and the location is closer to the city. The most important thing is that there are not so many people, you can take pictures however you want Plenty of space as well as a picnic. The garden is mainly filled with cherry blossoms from the high and far beyond, tall and big There are also taller and larger branches of weeping cherry. It was April 11th There is a small cherry blossom festival on site, selling Ina City's specialty fried noodles, snacks and the like. Parking is also free. It is worth mentioning A better way to visit Ina City for flower viewing is by car Because public transport shifts are difficult to master. It is recommended to utilize the map code 171 309 094*67 is Navigation Lookup. #Chrysanthemum Viewing #NaganoTravel #Ina City #Takato Sakura #Kasuga Park

Takada Castle Site Park is located in the Hokuriku region. You can reach it directly by taking a city bus from Joetsu-Myoko Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Alternatively, you can take the Myoko Haneuma Line train to Takada Station, then transfer to a city bus or walk for about 20 minutes. This location is one of Japan's three major night cherry blossom viewing spots. However, due to a tight schedule, I couldn't stay until the evening to enjoy the night view. Additionally, this cherry blossom viewing spot features many food stalls and open spaces for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery.

#springwander A park developed centred on Takato Castle, which was demolished in the abolition of feudal domains in 1871. It became a famous cherry blossom spot as a result of the transplantation of cherry blossoms by the former feudal retainers of the Takato Domain, and it is counted as one of the "three major cherry blossom spots in Japan" along with Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture and Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture. About 1,500 Takato Okohiganzakura trees, including old trees over 140 years old, are planted on the site, and they are at their best in early April every year. Takato Okohiganzakura is an endemic species of Takato, and it is characterised by slightly smaller and reddish flowers. During the flowering period, it is also lit up at night, and you can enjoy the charming night cherry blossoms that are different from the daytime.

#cherryblossom25 Takato Castle Park is renowned for its unique Takato Kohigan cherry trees, which have a deeper pink hue than typical sakura. With over 1,500 trees, the park turns into a fairytale-like landscape during peak bloom. The castle ruins add historical charm, while the elevated viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramic views of the pink sea of blossoms. During the cherry blossom festival, the park is illuminated at night, creating a romantic atmosphere. The slightly mountainous location makes the air crisp and fresh, enhancing the experience. For those seeking a less touristy yet equally spectacular sakura spot, Takato Castle Park is perfect.

#springwander It is spectacular to see the cherry blossoms, which are said to be 1,500, blooming all at once and scattering gracefully into a cherry blossom snowstorm! Many cherry blossom visitors come to see it. The cherry blossoms while looking at the peaks of the Alps far away are truly a superb view. There is a scene that can only be seen here. Access; About 15 minutes on foot from JR Takato Station

Takato Castle Park in Nagano Prefecture is a spectacular spot known as the "best cherry blossom spot in the world." In spring, the entire park is filled with about 1,500 Takato Kohigan cherry trees, creating a pink carpet-like landscape. Their unique pale pink color stands out against the blue sky, and their beauty is breathtaking. From the observation deck in the park, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sea of ​​cherry blossoms and the distant Alps. The illuminated cherry blossoms at night will captivate your heart with a different, fantastical atmosphere. We recommend visiting both during the day and at night. If you want to feel the arrival of spring, be sure to visit Takato Castle Park! #domestictraveltrip #nagano #takatocastlepark #cherryblossoms #triptoenjoyspring

🏖️Overview: It has three curls, Kosenjo Cirque, Daisenjo Cirque, and Yabusawa Cirque, and has an elegant mountain shape with a long, large ridge that symbolizes the Southern Alps⛰️. It is also known as the Queen of the Southern Alps👸 because of the cute alpine plants🪻 that bloom in abundance. It is 3033m above sea level. 💞Reasons why we recommend it: The hiking trail was well maintained and easy to climb. The scenery is simply amazing👍 Stay the night before in Ina City, and take the forest road bus🚌 to Kitazawa Pass, which has a trailhead. The route is the royal route from Kosenjo-ga-take to Senjo-ga-take. The opposite view of Kaikoma-ga-take⛰️ is also handsome. And we had an audience with the queen👸. It's really beautiful🤩. You can also see Mt. Fuji🗻. And Mt. Kita-dake. When you get above 2000m, the oxygen is thin and you get tired quickly 😮💨 But something happened that cheered me up 😀. A mother and child ptarmigan 🐥 suddenly appeared. Seriously! ️ So cute 😍 I was in a good mood and stayed at the mountain hut, Umanose Hutte. I ate the famous venison curry 🍛. 📍Trailhead: 🚃JR Iida Line Inashi Station 🚃JR Chuo Line Kofu Station #DomesticTravelRecord #Senjogatake #SouthernAlps

Takato Castle Park is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Nagano Prefecture. We will introduce the highlights of the cherry blossoms and their charm. ! ◆The best cherry blossoms in the world: Takato's cherry blossoms are known as the "best cherry blossoms in the world," and their beauty has attracted attention from all over Japan. Takato Kohigan Sakura is characterized by its pale pink color, which is a little darker than Somei Yoshino. ◆Approximately 1,500 cherry trees in full bloom: Approximately 1,500 cherry trees are in full bloom in the park, and in spring the entire park is dyed pink. Especially when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, a fantastical landscape unfolds, as if you are walking through a cloud of cherry blossoms. ◆Enjoy the history of Takato Castle: Since it is a castle ruins park, you can enjoy the historical atmosphere along with the cherry blossoms. You can spend a luxurious time enjoying the cherry blossoms while feeling the history of the Sengoku period. ◆ Illuminated cherry blossoms at night: Cherry blossoms are beautiful during the day, but we also recommend viewing them at night. The illuminated cherry blossoms create a romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime, and you can enjoy a fantastic view. ★Access It is about a 30-minute bus ride from JR Ina City Station, so it is easily accessible. You can enjoy delicious local gourmet food while admiring the cherry blossoms, so you can enjoy the feeling of traveling while admiring the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms at Takato Castle Ruins Park are a beautiful spot where history and nature blend together, and once you visit, you will never forget the spectacular view! #park2024

There are so many beautiful Cherry blossoms here. I suppose all you can enjoy this beautiful scenery. Also you can enjoy eating some famous food at yatai, which is something like restaurants at night market.

#Travelwithme #Nagano #Ina #Takatosoba #Grilledmiso #Spicygratedradish When it comes to soba noodles, the famous one in Takato, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture is "Takatosoba". Its unique feature is that it is not eaten with a noodle soup, but rather with a soup made by dissolving grilled miso in the juice of spicy daikon radish, and then the boiled handmade soba noodles are dipped in this very unusual soba.✨ In the past, soy sauce was not available, so people used the familiar ingredient "grilled miso" to eat it. The spiciness of the spicy daikon radish was made a little milder by mixing it with miso, making it easier to eat.😊Finally, it was interesting that you could make miso soup by adding soba soup, which is different from other soba restaurants. I was able to experience the rare soba noodles "Takatosoba" that you can't get anywhere else! "Takato Soba Irinoya" 📍Japan, 〒396-0211, 1632 Nishitakato, Takato-cho, Ina-shi, Nagano Opening hours 11:00~14:30

#Travelwithme #Nagano #TakatoShinwaRoseGarden #Rose #RoseGarden At an altitude of 825m, TakatoShinwaRoseGarden has 3,000 roses of about 270 varieties planted. There are many beautiful roses in bloom, with different shapes, sizes, colors, number of petals, and how they open. You can also enjoy the elegant scent of roses while strolling around. There are roses you've never seen before, and roses with unique names. There is a lot of fun you can only experience here! The view from the hill is also spectacular✨ The rose soft serve ice cream (400 yen) has an elegant rose flavor and is delicious, so I recommend it🌹 [Rose Festival🌹] 2024/5/25 ~ 2024/6/22 "Takato Shinwa no Oka Rose Garden" 📍973-1 Higashitakato, Takato-cho, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan 396-0213 Opening hours 9:00 ~ 16:00 Admission fee 500 yen for adults / 250 yen for children / 400 yen for groups (15 people or more) There is also a cart (self-driving) that goes around the garden 1 car, 1 lap, 1000 yen Capacity: 4 people (cannot be used only by junior high school students or younger) Even after the Rose Festival is over, the roses will continue to be in full bloom until the end of October The rose garden will also be open.

I went to Rokudo-no-Tsutsumi as a morning activity, where you can walk around the pond along the cherry blossom flower path. The contrast between the snow-covered Alps, the yellow daffodils, and the pink cherry blossoms that have just started to fall is a spectacular sight! It's so beautiful that you're sure to be moved! There were ducks playing in the pond, and they were so cute♪ There is no parking lot, so a kind local told me to park my car at the nearby community center and walk there☆ I'd like to get up early again next year and take the highway to see the cherry blossoms at Rokudo-no-Tsutsumi♪ #Nagano #MorningActivity #Sakura2024

best spot in the world of hanami🌸 Just met the world's first cherry blossom day, is belonging to the late 19th century has planted 1500 cherry trees have been planted treasure cherry blossom viewing spot, the scene is really 10 points shocking, three things are open the door of different cherry blossoms, super beautiful remember to eat their cherry blossom ice cream, the middle of the soft marshmallow very delicious. 📍Gaoyuan City Site Park #lizinjapan_nagano #Gaoyuan City Site Park #takatojoshipark #JapanKorea Spring Good Place

This time we will introduce Takato in Nagano Prefecture ☺️ Takato is home to 1,500 cherry trees, and Takato Kohiganzakura are in full bloom 🌸 These cherry trees are a prefectural natural monument and have been selected as one of Japan's 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. They are characterized by their small, delicate reddish petals and are known as the best cherry blossoms in the world ☺️ Hakusan Kannon, located in the mountains of Mt. Goro behind the ruins of Takato Castle, is also one of the recommended spots to view the best cherry blossoms in the world. It takes about 30 minutes to climb the mountain path from the park, but from above it looks like a sea of ​​clouds of cherry blossoms, and it is a spectacular sight when it is in full bloom, so if you have the chance, please visit in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom 🥰🌸 📍Higashitakato, Takato-cho, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture 🚃15 minutes walk from Takato Station on the JR Chuo Main Line 🚗About 30 minutes from Ina IC on the Chuo Expressway 💰 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children ❇︎ Parking available Regular passenger cars: 700 yen Motorcycles and mopeds: 200 yen #Nagano tourism #cherry blossom viewing #cherry blossom viewing spots #Takato Castle Ruins Park #Takato cherry blossoms #Weekend outing #Sakura 2024

#cherryblossom2024 Picnic under the flowers The spring Cherry Blossom Festival in Takato Castle Park in Ina is one of the most popular in Japan. Come and admire the flowers and the beautiful views of the Japanese Alps. How to get there Takato Park is accessible from Inashi Station. In Shinjuku, you need to take the Azusa express, drive 2 hours and 15 minutes to Okaya, transfer to the Iida suburban line there and get off at Inashi Station in 50 minutes. From Inashi station to the park it takes 25 minutes by bus, then 15 minutes on foot. Food and fun The famous Takato cherry blossom Festival lasts almost the whole of April. At this time, you can look at 1,500 flowering trees. Many of them were planted at the end of the XIX century, when the park was created. It is said that the oldest tree is 130 years old. The stalls of the festival offer a variety of dishes and snacks, including chicken, beef on a spit, fried noodles and takoyaki. Take your seats During the festival, the lights are turned on at night, and the park can be crowded. If you plan to have a picnic, come early to take a seat.

#cherryblossom2024 Fortunately, I was guided to the large bus parking lot above and finally got into the parking lot. The cherry blossoms 🌸 are in full bloom and there are a lot of people. The weather was nice, and the snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the distance were spectacular. On the way back to Ina, there were beautiful rows of cherry blossom trees, and I could see that people in Nagano put a lot of effort and care into their cherry blossoms.⭐️🤩

#Japan and Korea Spring Destinations Takato Castle Park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, attracting countless tourists every spring. There are more than 1,500 Takato cherry trees in the park. This type of cherry blossom is known for its bright pink color. The flowers are dense and plump, forming a brilliant sea of ​​flowers. Takato Castle Park is a picturesque springtime destination, with cherry blossoms blanketing the park in soft pink, creating a beautiful contrast with the Central Alps in the distance. The park not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also retains traces of history such as the remains of city walls and ancient moats. In addition to viewing the flowers, you can also visit the nearby Takato Castle Museum to learn about the rich history and culture of the area. During the spring, the park also hosts various activities and stalls, offering local food and handicrafts, allowing visitors to enjoy a cultural feast while admiring the flowers. The cherry blossom season at Takato Castle Park is one of the must-see sights of spring in Japan. Here, you can not only appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms, but also feel the harmonious coexistence of Japanese traditions and nature. Every year's cherry blossom season is a refreshing experience. 📍〒396-0211 810-1 Nishi-Takato, Takato-cho, Ina-shi, Nagano Prefecture

Maybe some of you don't have an image of going to Nagano to see cherry blossoms! Even Nagano has wonderful cherry blossom spots✨ Today, we will introduce "Rokudo Tsutsumi no Sakura", a hidden cherry blossom photography spot in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture. This cherry blossom is a reservoir for agricultural water, and cherry trees are planted around it, so you can see it from a distance, or you can actually walk around it🌸 You can take photos of the cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the pond, and since this place is on a slight hill, you can see the mountains well, so you can take photos of the snow-covered mountains and the cherry blossoms together📸 The cherry blossoms here are "Takato Kohiganzakura", an endemic species of Takato Castle Park, and you can see the pink cherry blossoms that everyone imagines😍 (I took this photo at dusk, so I couldn't take a bright photo, so it's hard to convey the beauty of the place...) This spot is about a 10-minute drive from Takato Castle Park, one of the "Three Great Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan"👀 If you're going to Takato Castle Park, I recommend stopping by here too🤩 I've introduced Takato Castle Park in other posts, so I hope you'll check that out too😄 There aren't many parking spaces, so be careful when parking on the street⚠️ Use the parking lot (about 5 spaces) at Kasahara Community Center, about a 2-minute walk from Rokudo-no-Tsutsumi! That's it! What do you think? As of 4/3, the cherry blossoms have not bloomed, and the best viewing time is expected to be in the latter half of next week! Be sure to visit this spot along with the other three great cherry blossom spots in Japan! 〜〜〜〜〜Information〜〜〜〜〜 📍Sakura at Rokudo Tsutsumi ・Address: 1424 Kasahara, Minamiwari, Mishima, Ina City, Nagano Prefecture ・Access: Approximately 20 minutes from Ina IC on the Chuo Expressway ・Opening hours: 24 hours ・Fee: None 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 #Sakura2024 #DomesticTravel #BreathtakingViewsOfJapan #NaganoTourism