2024 Shibata Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

Funaoka Joshi park!!

Funaoka Joshi park !! Funaoka Joshi Park is the only park in Miyagi Prefecture to be listed in the “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Sites of Japan”. A small automated monorail runs through the tunnel of cherry blossoms. Funaoka Peace Kannon is situated at the top of the mountain, where visitors can also enjoy a magnificent view. Over 200,000 people flock to the park at the beginning of April for the infamous “Shibata Cherry Blossoms Festival”. But , when I went there yesterday, all cherry blossoms was over and some left over late blooms only left . But is famous for their sunset over the hill and panoramic view over Shibata prefecture, in Miyagi . There is no transportation between station and the park usually. But they have shuttle bus while cherry blossoms festival and now was over . So, I walk 15mins from Funaoka station to the park and walk up to the hill and use small monorail to go up and see the surrounding and walk down slowly before sunset because It was remote area and I don’t want to stay too late and I need to walk back to the station to catch the train to Sendai . If you are in this area in cherry blossoms season , make sure catch full blooms on this mountain to enjoy. See you all on the other side of the world 🌎!! #solotravel #naturelover #Japn

Shiroishigawa Hitome Senbonzakura

📍Attraction Address: JR Funaoka Station 🚗Transportation: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa from Tokyo to Sendai, then transfer to the Tohoku Main Line to Funaoka Station. 👍️Must-visit Attractions: Shiroishigawa, Funaoka Castle 🎟️Ticket Information: No tickets required 💗Other Tips: Plan your visit according to the published cherry blossom forecast.

SAKURA HUNTING : SHIROISHI RIVER

#japantrip The Cherry Blossom Festival along the Shiroishi River in Japan is a breathtaking spectacle that attracts visitors from around the world. Every spring, usually in April, the riverbanks burst into a riot of pink and white hues as the cherry blossoms, known as sakura, bloom in full splendor. The delicate cherry blossoms create a picturesque scene, with their petals gently drifting in the breeze and forming a soft carpet along the river. Visitors can stroll along the riverbanks, take boat rides to admire the blossoms from the water, or enjoy traditional hanami picnics under the blooming trees. It's a magical experience that celebrates the fleeting beauty of nature and the arrival of spring in Japan.

Miyagi Award: A Glimpse of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms.

If you miss the fleeting cherry blossoms in Tokyo, what should you do? Of course, head to the Tohoku region to continue the cherry blossom chase~ From Sendai, it takes about an hour to reach this lesser-known cherry blossom viewing spot. You can take a small train up the mountain through a sea of flowers to see the Shiroishi River embankment's thousand cherry blossoms🌸 Transportation: Take the JR Tohoku Main Line from Sendai Station to Funaoka (Miyagi Prefecture) Station, which is a 30-minute ride. After getting off, follow the signs along the road for about 15 minutes to reach Funaoka Castle Ruins Park, then walk a bit further uphill to the park's main entrance. Inside, you'll find the place to board the small train. There is no admission fee for the park. It is recommended to take the small train up the mountain, which costs 500 yen for a round trip, but you can also go up the mountain on your own. Shiroishi River Embankment's Thousand Cherry Blossoms From Funaoka Station to the next station, Ogawara (Miyagi Prefecture), you can enjoy the view🥰

Amazing Shibata Senoko Bridge

#cherryblossom2024 Address: Kawabata Funaoka, Shibata, Shibata District, Miyagi 989-1606, Japan. Highlights: Shibata Senokyo Bridge offers a picturesque hour-long walk amidst stunning cherry blossoms. While the pollen might trigger allergies, the beauty of the scene makes it well worth it. This spot is a favorite among photographers, offering the perfect vantage point to capture trains running on the JR Tohoku Main Line against a backdrop of cherry blossoms. It's a sight that's both charming and iconic, showcasing the beauty of nature alongside the bustling activity of everyday life. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll or capturing the perfect photo, Shibata Senokyo Bridge is a must-visit destination during the cherry blossom season. #Japan #Nature #awesomepic

Famous Funaoka Castle

#cherryblossom2024 Address: Tateyama Funaoka, Shibata, Shibata District, Miyagi 989-1606, Japan. Highlights: Funaoka Castle is truly spectacular, especially during the sakura season. However, it's also a beautiful destination to visit throughout the year. With its colorful flowers, retro-looking tram, and panoramic views of the riverbanks and the stunning landscape of the Zao Mountains, Funaoka Castle offers something for everyone. Whether you're admiring the cherry blossoms in spring or taking in the breathtaking scenery during other seasons, a visit to Funaoka Castle is always a memorable experience. Don't forget to take the retro tram to the top for an even better view! It's the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Funaoka Castle and its surroundings. #Nature #Japan #awesomepic

Thousand Sakura Flower Garden

#cherryblossom2024 Thousands of cherry blossoms at a glance From the middle to the end of April, an eight-kilometer section of the Siroisi River bank turns pink. Hitome Sambondzakura, "Hitome's Thousand Sakura", is a famous place to admire sakura in the Tohoku region. More than 300,000 visitors come here every year. How to get there Sakura trees grow along the entire Tohoku Line between Funaoka and Ogawara; they can be reached in a few minutes. In Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai Station (an hour and a half on the way). Another half hour south on the Tohoku line from Sendai Station, and you're there. Flowers on the background of mountain snow There are about 1,200 trees on both sides of the river. Don't be surprised by the different colors and shapes of the flowers: there are white Chinese cherries, terry cherries, and the most common variety in Japan — "somei-yoshino" ("Yoshino cherries"). About a third of the trees are over 80 years old. Get ready for a picnic Do you want to have a picnic during the cherry blossom viewing festival? Everything you need can be bought at food stalls or at nearby shops and supermarkets. You can have lunch by the river or drive to Funaoka Joshi Park, a hill overgrown with cherry blossoms, with a huge statue of the goddess Kannon on top. The park is a 15—minute walk from Funaoka station.

Funaoka Magic

#cherryblossom2024 View of Sakura from the funicular Funaoka Castle Park in Shibata is one of the hundred best places in Japan where you can admire the cherry blossoms. Climb the steep paths or take a ride on the old funicular. The cherry blossom envelops everything around like fog, and spectacular views open from the top. How to get there The park is a 15-minute walk from Funaoka Station on the Tohoku line. You can get there from Sendai Station (about 25 minutes). Pink splendor Sakura blooms here from the beginning to the end of April. At this time, the Sakura Festival is held in Shibata. You can bring picnic food with you, or you can buy festive bentos — they are sold at the foot of the mountain. Eat everything at once or go upstairs and try to find the perfect place to relax. Stunning panoramic views open from the top, and the blue sky contrasts with the pink flowers around. On clear days, the top of Dzao Mountain is visible from here, covered with the last winter snow. In the distance is a 24—meter statue of the goddess of mercy Kannon. Climb the stairs inside the statue: the view from the observation windows is even better. Cross the bridge over the funicular track and you will see an endless row of flowering trees. This is a famous landmark — a thousand sakura trees on the banks of the Siroishi River.

Cherry blossom

Miyagi's 'Hitome Senbon Sakura' stretches for 8 kilometers in full bloom

If you missed the cherry blossoms in Kanto in March, sisters~ be sure not to miss this place! Come to Miyagi for a dreamy date with the 8-kilometer-long cherry blossoms🌸 - Funagata Castle Park 🎡Every April, Funagata Castle Park hosts the Shibata Cherry Blossom Festival, with a variety of food stalls🍡, stage performances🎭, new sake tasting🥂, and a photography contest, making it an exceptionally lively event🎉 🍱Bring a picnic lunch or choose your favorite cherry blossom festival food box, watch the interesting events, and enjoy delicious food🍙 You can also take a ride on the retro cherry blossom cable car: 🚠The 305-meter journey is surrounded by cherry blossoms, as if traveling through a cherry blossom tunnel, with a unique charm. The round-trip ticket costs 500 yen💴 🌞Pink cherry blossoms, warm spring breeze, and the clatter of the little train, this is exactly what a spring outing should look like! - 💫Tour Tips 🎫Admission: Free 🚉Transportation: 15-minute walk from JR Funagata Station or JR Ogawara Station - ✅In addition, there are other highly recommended cherry blossom viewing spots~ 🌸Hiyoriyama Park 🌸Shoonji 🌸Sumiyoshi Shrine 🌸Osaki Hachimangu 🌸Toshogu Shrine 🌸Toshinenji 🌸Kameoka Hachimangu 🌸Shiroishi Castle