Through the Cherry Blossom Tunnel: A Fairytale Rail Journey to Ashino Koen

#cherryblossom25 We stood by the train driver’s cabin, watching spring unfold through the front window—endless green fields, flashes of blue sky, and sleepy countryside towns. Then, as we neared Ashino Koen Station,the world turned pink. Hundreds of cherry trees arched over the tracks, their branches weaving a fleeting tunnel of blossoms. The train slowed, and for a breathtaking moment, we were inside a living snow globe of swirling petals, their delicate scent filling the air like a whisper of spring. Less crowded than famous sakura spots, Ashino Park feels like a secret the locals kept just for us. Tripods lined the paths as photographers waited for the perfect breeze to shake the blossoms loose, while visitors lounged under the trees with skewers of sweet mitarashi dango. When the wind picked up, the real magic began—petals cascaded like warm winter flurries, too beautiful to capture, too fleeting not to try. (Tip: The Tsugaru Railway’s "Sakura Tunnel" near Ashino Koen peaks in late April. Combine your visit with the surreal giant *kingyo* (goldfish) lanterns at Goshogawara Station for the ultimate spring adventure in Aomori!)