Takato Castle Ruins Park, Nagano

#cherryblossom25 Review (Traveler using #cherryblossom25): Takato Castle Ruins Park is honestly one of the most saturated cherry blossom experiences I've ever had. The variety of sakura here, called Takato Kohigan-zakura, has a slightly deeper pink hue compared to the usual pale blossoms — making the whole park look like a painting in vivid brushstrokes. Walking through the park felt like entering a cotton candy world, especially at sunrise when the mist hugged the hills. Even though it’s a famous spot, the vibe stayed calm early in the morning. The remnants of the old castle gave it this epic, faded grandeur. My #cherryblossom25 post from here was a shot from the wooden bridge crossing over a river of pink — it looked almost too perfect to be real. Truly one of Japan’s ultimate sakura destinations.