Hirosaki Park, Aomori

#cherryblossom25 Hirosaki Park completely blew me away. It’s not just one of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan — it might be the best. Located in Aomori, it's a bit of a journey from Tokyo, but totally worth it. The park surrounds the beautifully preserved Hirosaki Castle, and during peak season, the entire moat is filled with fallen sakura petals, creating what they call the “cherry blossom carpet.” It was surreal. I used #cherryblossom25 to document every corner — the blossom tunnels, petal-filled waterways, night illuminations, and food stalls selling everything from apple pies (Aomori’s famous) to sakura soda. There’s something magical about seeing cherry blossoms in a castle setting that’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains. I stayed till nightfall to catch the illuminations and lanterns glowing through the trees. Hirosaki is less crowded than Tokyo or Kyoto spots, but it’s got this grand, romantic energy. This was the crown jewel of my #cherryblossom25 journey so far.