This translation was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Maizuru Park and the Fukuoka Castle ruins are one of the easiest central Fukuoka places to combine cherry blossoms, historic stone walls and a night event. Around 1,000 cherry trees are spread through a large site next to Ohori Park.
The 2026 Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival has ended. This page keeps the confirmed 2026 details as a planning reference; dates, tickets and event zones must be checked again when the next festival is announced.
- 2026 festival: March 25 to April 8 after a three-day extension
- Paid illuminations ran 18:00–22:00; last entry 21:45
- 2026 admission: ¥600 per zone or ¥1,500 for all three
- Subway Ohori Koen and Akasaka stations are practical approaches
Checked on August 10, 2026 against the official festival site and Fukuoka City’s April 2 extension notice. The 2026 event is over; do not use these dates or prices for a future year without a new official announcement.
Confirmed 2026 festival record
| Item | 2026 details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Maizuru Park and the Fukuoka Castle ruins |
| Dates | March 25–April 8, 2026; extended from April 5 |
| General event hours | 11:00–22:00 |
| Paid illumination | 18:00–22:00; entry until 21:45 |
| 2026 tickets | ¥600 per zone; ¥1,500 three-zone set; high-school age and younger free |
| Main access | Ohori Koen or Akasaka Station on the Subway Airport Line |
How to enjoy the park in daylight
In daylight, walk between the moat, stone walls, gates, turrets and open lawns rather than treating the park as one viewing point. A route from Ohori Koen Station through the Shimonomikado gate area and castle ruins gives varied photographs and can continue into Ohori Park.
The grounds are extensive. Allow extra time if travelling with children or stopping at food stalls. Weekday mornings are generally easier than peak evening periods, although blossom condition and weather influence crowds.
- Wear shoes suitable for stone paths and a long walk.
- Use a map to choose only the zones important to you.
- Keep food and picnic plans separate from protected historic areas.
- Bring a light layer for changing spring weather.
Night blossoms and the paid zones
In 2026, the Sakura Garden, Otakaya-shiki ruins and Tamon Turret were the three paid illumination zones. A free moat-side illumination also formed part of the event. The official price was ¥600 for one paid zone or ¥1,500 for all three, with free entry for visitors of high-school age and younger.
These details belong to 2026. For the next event, confirm which zones open, online-ticket conditions, final admission and weather changes. Visitors with small children should decide an exit route before entering a crowded night area.
- Keep the ticket available until leaving the zone.
- Follow photography and tripod instructions.
- Watch uneven ground after dark.
- Do not assume every attraction is included in an illumination ticket.
Food stalls, families and park rules
The festival usually combines blossoms with a large food area and family activities. In 2026, the official programme included the Sakura Ennichi food area, a stamp rally and other activities; the city’s extension notice specified which programmes continued through April 8 and which ended on April 5.
Official rules included taking personal rubbish home, no unattended sheet-based place holding, no parties or space holding inside paid illumination zones, and no fire outside designated areas. Follow current signs because restrictions can change with congestion, weather and preservation work.
- Visit food stalls before the busiest dinner period.
- Locate toilets and rest spaces when arriving.
- Do not leave bags or sheets to reserve a place.
- Protect cherry trees, lawns and historic structures.
Access from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata and Tenjin
From Fukuoka Airport or Hakata, the Subway Airport Line reaches Ohori Koen and Akasaka without changing trains. From Tenjin, both stations are a short subway ride. The best exit depends on the festival zone you want first, so check the current venue map.
Driving is less convenient during the festival because surrounding roads and parking fill quickly. Public transport also makes it easier to enter from one station and leave from another after walking through the park.
Official festival information and related Fukuoka guides
Confirm the next event on official pages. The following guides help plan spring sightseeing and transport.
