On the island of Honshu, the main island of Japan, Tohoku Region is composed of six prefectures. It is an area of beautiful alpine scenery, with mountains, lakes, hot springs, rice fields and harsh winters.
It is the land of Lake Towada, Hirosaki Castle and many festivals, including the Akita, but also the land of Kakunodate.
Kakunodate is an old town which grew up around an old castle samurai. And it was a weight room in the prefecture of Akita and although the castle and there is no such village retains its centuries-old samurai tradition, which has made him famous. It is also one of the places that become simply beautiful when hundreds of cherry blossom adorning the streets.
Although the castle is no longer there to say that the people remain almost unchanged since it was founded in 1620. One side is a shopping district and another district samurai. Once the latter neighborhood housed some eighty families and so the architectural heritage in the streets is great. In fact here are the best examples of medieval architecture in Japan.
At the time of cherry blossom eyes also turn to Kakunodate because as I said the people becomes a pink and white postcard. One of the classic postal Tohoku Region at this time of year, around April / early May. So is that many people are about to enjoy the colors and historic houses and the village receives a lot of tourism.
The best time is probably the Golden Week. The cherry trees were planted in the Edo period (between 1603 and 1868), brought from Kyoto by samurai families who wanted to perfect the cultivation of these trees. So we find the most beautiful in the neighborhood just samurai. There are other Hinokinai along the river, the area chosen by the people for the picnic.