"Ota x Ishii DELA LOVER" is a variety show where Bakusho Mondai's Hikari Ota and TV Host Ryoji Ishii delve deep into the classics of the Tokai region! This time, we're announcing the ranking of cherry blossom viewing spots in the Tokai region selected by weather forecasters. Aichi, Gifu, and Mie (according to the program's research) have over 100 cherry blossom viewing spots. Which one is the most beautiful? Weather forecasters, who are always keeping an eye on cherry blossom trends, cast their serious votes! We also introduce delicious gourmet food from famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

Cherry Blossom Trees Lining a River in the City

The 6th place in the "Tokai Region Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot Ranking Selected by Weather Forecasters" was "Tsurumai Park" in Showa Ward, Nagoya City, 5th place was "Sakurabuchi Park" in Shinshiro City, Aichi, and 4th place was "Okazakura Tree-lined Street" in Higashi Ward, Nagoya City.

Two locations tied for 2nd place in the "Tokai Region Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot Ranking Selected by Weather Forecasters." The first is the "Yamazaki River" flowing through Nagoya City. The Yamazaki River, which flows from Chikusa Ward to Nagoya Port for about 13 km. The area with the most cherry blossom trees is along the river from Ishikawa Bridge in Showa Ward to Ochiai Bridge in Mizuho Ward. Approximately 550 cherry blossom trees can be enjoyed, and the cherry blossom avenue stretches for about 2.5 km.

Weather forecasters commented, "It's a river flowing through the city, and it has such a long cherry blossom avenue," and "The cherry blossoms on both banks bloom overhanging the river, so you can see a truly beautiful scenery."

The recommended gourmet food along the Yamazaki River is "Yamada Mochi Honten" in Mizuho Ward, Nagoya City, about 3 minutes from Sakurayama Subway Station. It is a Japanese confectionery shop loved by locals, founded in 1927. The Japanese sweets are handmade in the shop, and about 30 varieties are always on display.

The most popular item is "Kusamochi" (mugwort mochi). It is a representative Japanese sweet of Yamada Mochi Honten that has not changed since its founding. Rice flour and steamed mugwort are pounded in the shop, and salt is added to give it a slightly sweet and salty taste when combined with red bean paste.

The third-generation owner, Katsuya Yamada, who has been selected as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman," makes mochi, dango, and red bean paste. His wife, Tomoko, does the final touches and comes up with product ideas.

Tomoko's latest creation for spring 2026 is "Sakura Uiro." Uiro dough is colored pink with chopped cherry leaves, topped with cherry blossoms, and steamed for about an hour. Tomoko's particularity is that it is skewered so that it can be eaten while walking along the Yamazaki River.

Beautiful Cherry Blossom Blizzard! A 1500-year-old Giant Tree

The second location tied for 2nd place in the "Tokai Region Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot Ranking Selected by Weather Forecasters" is "Neodani Usuzumi-zakura" in Motosu City, Gifu. It is located in "Usuzumi Park," about 1 hour and 20 minutes by highway from Nagoya City.

It is an Edohigan cherry tree, 17m high and 24m wide. There is a theory that it was planted by Emperor Keitai, the 26th emperor, about 1500 years ago. It is considered one of Japan's three great cherry trees, along with "Yamataka Jindai-zakura" in Yamanashi Prefecture and "Miharu Takizakura" in Fukushima Prefecture, and is designated as a national natural monument.

Weather forecasters commented, "It's more than twice the size of a cherry tree seen at a normal cherry blossom viewing. Its branches spread in all directions, making it powerful," and "It's an ancient tree 1500 years old, and its appearance is majestic."

The name Usuzumi-zakura comes from the pale ink-like color it takes on just before the cherry blossoms fall. It is said to be pink when in bud, white when in bloom, and a pale ink-like color when falling.

Although the Usuzumi-zakura has been blooming for about 1500 years, it is currently unable to stand on its own. Through conservation activities, mainly by local residents, it continues to bloom cherry blossoms every year.

According to weather forecaster Shinji Sakurazawa, who has covered cherry blossoms more than 100 times, "When the wind blows, the petals flutter. Because it's so big, the cherry blossom blizzard is incredible."

The recommended gourmet food of Neodani is "Kashi Torimura," which opened in 2025 in Kitagata Town, Gifu, a neighboring town. Popular fresh sweets such as daifuku and mochi are prepared every morning in the shop, and about 10 varieties are always on display.

The most popular item is "Mame Daifuku" (bean daifuku). It is a popular product with soft mochi made from Miyagi Prefecture's glutinous rice, moderately sweet strained bean paste, and large black beans from Hokkaido. On some days, 300 pieces are sold in just 2 hours.

According to the owner, Mr. Torimura, he transformed a Western confectionery shop that had been in business for over 100 years since the Meiji era into a Japanese confectionery shop! After graduating from university and working for a company, Mr. Torimura trained at Japanese confectionery shops in Nagoya and Kanazawa for about 5 years. He has devised unique sweets not found in Japanese confectionery shops, such as Western-style ohagi using pistachios.

The yokan "Chakan" in a cute cylindrical design is also perfect for cherry blossom viewing. The feature is that you can eat it while walking without getting your hands dirty, as the yokan comes out as much as you push the bottom of the container.

Approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino Cherry Trees in Full Bloom!

The 1st place in the "Tokai Region Cherry Blossom Viewing Spot Ranking Selected by Weather Forecasters" is "Gojo River" in Aichi Prefecture. It is a first-class river that flows from Inuyama City to Kiyosu City, and approximately 4,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom in an area of 15 km out of its total length of about 28 km.

Weather forecasters commented, "The sun reflects on the river surface, illuminating it from below. You can enjoy the cherry blossom avenue and the flow of the river," and "The cherry blossoms cross over the river. When viewed from a bridge, it looks like a tunnel continues."

Among them, the riverside in Iwakura City is popular. You can see the spectacular scenery of about 1,300 cherry blossom trees and the traditional event "Nonbori Arai" from the Edo period, where carp streamers are washed.

According to Mr. Sakurazawa, the beauty of "Hana Ikada" (flower rafts), where fallen cherry blossom petals cover the river surface and flow like rafts, is a highlight. "About 4,000 cherry blossom petals flow, so the entire surface is pink!" he said.

The recommended gourmet food of Gojo River is "Ganso Taiwan Curry Inuyama Branch." It is about 10 minutes by car from Gojo River and about 5 minutes on foot from Kotsu-yosui Station on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line.

Many people are addicted to the "Taiwan Curry" that is also in the shop's name! On top of the curry is spicy Taiwan minced meat used by "Menya Hanabi," a famous Taiwan mazesoba shop with over 70 group stores.

This shop was started by Menya Hanabi's general, Mr. Niiyama, in 2014. The current owner is Kiyoyuki Nagashima, a former professional baseball player who played for the Chunichi Dragons and other teams. He is also known as the player who won the Japan Series MVP during his time with the Hiroshima Carp and was the first player in Japanese professional baseball to wear the number "0."

Mr. Nagashima served as a coach for Chunichi until 2018 and became the owner of this shop in 2020. He has inherited Mr. Niiyama's recipe and makes Taiwan minced meat and curry himself every day, running the shop.

Mr. Nagashima's recommended menu item is the "Yokubari Taiwan Curry" (Greedy Taiwan Curry). It is a hearty menu item befitting a former professional baseball player, with a mountain of toppings! It is a full plate with pork aburi toro (seared fatty pork) simmered for 6 hours, fried chicken, scrambled eggs, and Kujo green onions.

From CBC TV "Delalaba" broadcast on April 8, 2026