Cherry blossoms are one of Japan's biggest springtime drawcards, and there are plenty of places to appreciate their beauty throughout the country. One such spot in Niigata Prefecture is Zenibuchi Park, which is home to an annual sakura festival. The park is surrounded by a number of mountains, which often still have snow-capped peaks at this time of year - just another part of what makes this region of Japan so picturesque!
A unique feature of this sakura festival is the free crane rides that visitors can enjoy, which allow for a full panoramic view of the park.