Aomori | Japan

Cherry Blossom in Towada Kanchogai-dori

Top 100 best streets in Japan and New One Hundred Views of Japan

Kate Wu | 15 Jun 2026

I went to Towada city Kanchogai-dori for the famous line of cherry tree tunnel on my second day in Shin-Aomori. I took a Shinkansen to Shichinohe Towada Station (around 35 minutes), then took a bus to Towada Art Center (approximately 40 minutes). There are three stops when you get off at Kanchogai Dori, Towada Art Center or Towadadshi Chuo. They are all within minutes.

Kanchogai Dori is an approximately 1km street lined with 168 pine trees and 157 cherry trees. So the cherry trees on one side and the pine tress on the other. In 1986, the street was selected as one of 100 best streets in Japan, and in 1992, it was also included in the “New One Hundred Views of Japan.” What makes this street special is the extension of Tokawa Art Center. The colorful art square features a large pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama is the highlight of the area. The “Fat house” by Erwin Wurm is interesting, a life size house with a garage and car on the street that blends in well with the environment, and the Towada Art Centre in the middle of the street is well-designed building with an door Flower horse, a giant ant called aTTA, and mural by Nara Yoshitomo and Paul Morrison.

This colorful art square is the highlight of the street and popular for children

Mural by Nara Yoshitomo and Paul Morrison

For lunch, I went to a popular eatery called . Sure enough there was a long queue before it started at 11am. I had to wait for one hour for the second round to I just went to the Art Station Towada which is a souvenir arcade next door while I was waiting. The grilled beef was delicious! It’s worth a wait!

Tsukasa restaurant is right next to Art Center Towada

Stir fried beef is the most popular. There is also a choice of pork.

Stir the beef and onions occasionally until they are cooked

Lunch set costs Y1,620. There is a soup, rice, and two appetizers

This day trip to Towada city Kanchogai Dori is pretty good. I also browses the Towada Art Centre. It would be nice to drive and stay in the area to explore more. Next time.

Access:
Tokawa Kanchogai-dori is in the city center of Tokawa. There is no JR station so driving is the best.
JR + Bus: There is a bus from Shichinohe Towada station and Hachinohe station which takes about 40 minutes.

By bus: there is a long haul bus from Aomori and Shin-Aomori station that takes 2 hours one way.

The frequency is very limited so please get the latest bus schedule from Tourist Information Office.