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To the Japanese, the cherry blossom is much more than just a few flowers. It’s hard to explain to those who haven’t experienced it, but during the sakura (cherry blossom) season, the whole country is swept by a sort of festival atmosphere that lasts from the first flowering down in southerly Okinawa until the last petal drops in northern Hokkaido.
As the blossom front sweeps along the length of the archipelago over the course of several months, the shops fill with sakura-flavoured drinks and snacks. The blossom report becomes more important than the weather forecast. People flock in their droves to the most popular hanami (flower-viewing) points to layout tarpaulins beneath the trees and generally eat, drink and be merry.
All this means that although it is the busiest time of year for tourism in Japan, it’s also one of the nicest – with lovely weather, beautiful landscapes and a relaxed, party-like atmosphere everywhere from the biggest city to the smallest of rural villages.
But where best to make the most of sakura?
Well, it depends on who you ask. Everybody tends to have their spot, whether it’s one of the famous destinations or just their family garden. As such, this is not a “top ten” list – only a few suggestions. You’ll have to find one for yourself!
1. Mount Yoshino
One must either be very brave or very stupid to venture to Yoshino during peak cherry blossom season. Covered in over 30,000 cherry trees, it’s the most famous sakura viewing spot in Japan – and has been for hundreds of years. The route most visitors take to view the blossoms snakes from the railway station at the foot of the mountain ridge. It passes through four distinct sections (the Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon), with various parks and viewpoints – as well as lots of yatai food stalls – along the way.
Tickled pink: Cherry blossom alternatives
Though it does get overwhelmingly busy, I visited Yoshino on a weekend in peak season – and I do think that it’s worth the effort, especially if you take a few pieces of advice along with you! Firstly, arrive as early as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds. You might even consider staying at a ryokan on the mountain itself so that you can enjoy the blossom in peace, just after sunrise.
If you’re planning to eat lunch at a local restaurant, eat early to avoid the massive queues at lunchtime. Or, do what I did and buy lots of delicious snacks from the yatai food stalls along the way. Bringing a picnic is another great alternative. Lastly, be sure to reserve a seat on the train home! Standing up all the way back to Nara or Kyoto after a day of hiking is not fun (as I found out to my detriment).
2. Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
The vast majority of people who travel to Japan visit Tokyo – so where better to suggest next than the capital’s very own Shinjuku Gyoen? This large park is located right at the heart of the city, within walking distance of one of its largest and busiest entertainment and business hubs.
Tokyo is famous the world over as a hyper-modern metropolis packed with high-rise buildings and flashing neon lights. Whilst this is true, there is also a surprising wealth of green spaces where you can take time out from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax.
One of the best places to see cherry blossom in Tokyo is undoubtedly Shinjuku Gyoen, which is home to over 1,000 cherry trees of both early- and late-blooming varieties. This means that the sakura season here lasts longer than elsewhere in the city.
Other lovely sakura spots in Tokyo include the Imperial Palace Gardens, Hamarikyu Gardens and Ueno Park. Be sure to try out a few!
3. Himeji Castle
Japan’s largest and most impressive castle is also a wonderful place to see the cherry blossom. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has survived fires, wars, earthquakes and the Meiji Restoration to be one of only a handful of original feudal castles still standing in Japan. Surrounded by sakura trees, Himeji is undoubtedly at its best in the spring!
If Himeji isn’t on your itinerary, don’t worry. Nearly all Japanese castles (whether original or reconstructed) make excellent hanami locations as they are traditionally surrounded by cherry trees
4. Mount Fuji
The only thing better than one Japanese national icon? Two Japanese national icons. For a couple of months each year, you can get two for the price of one, as Mount Fuji is surrounded by cherry blossom.
There are numerous places from which to view Mount Fuji, but we love Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region. Fuji Five Lakes is perhaps better than Hakone when it comes to sakura. Two of the best spots are the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and the Chureito Pagdo, built in the hills of Fujiyoshida City.
5. Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto
Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Path is a lovely stone walkway that follows a canal through the northern part of the city’s Higashiyama district. It gets its name from a particular philosopher – Nishida Kitaro – who they say used to wander the path in meditation on his way to Kyoto University.
The path runs for about two kilometres – and as well as having plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops it is lined with cherry trees. The blossom blooms in early April, providing one of Kyoto’s most popular hanami spots.
Cherry blossom: 5 alternatives for flower enthusiasts
Other famous hanami locations in Kyoto include Maruyama Park, with its giant weeping cherry tree; the Arashiyama district on the outskirts of the city, famous for its bamboo groves and monkey park; and Heian Shrine, where the weeping cherry trees bloom a few days later than in the rest of Kyoto. The latter is a great option for visitors who have missed peak season!
6. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
One of the top three landscape gardens in Japan (and widely considered to be the best of the three), Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year – but especially so during the cherry blossom season. The garden is so large that you could easily spend a couple of hours wandering through it.
7. Miharu Takizakura
Miharu Takizakura (the “Waterfall cherry tree of Miharu”) is located near the small town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of Japan’s Honshu main island. Over 1,000 years old, 12 metres tall, and with a trunk circumference of 9.5 metres, this massive weeping cherry tree is probably Japan’s most famous tree.
The Japanese do like to rank things in lists, so it comes as no surprise that Miharu Takizakura tops both the “five great cherry trees of Japan” and the “three giant cherry trees of Japan”. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, “polls frequently rank it as the number one tree in all of Japan”. One does have to wonder how often Japan needs to take polls about its trees, but anyway. It’s a pretty nice tree, I’m sure you’ll agree.
8. Hirosaki Castle
At the northern tip of Honshu, Hirosaki Castle is a wonderful place to see in the sakura. Since it’s so northern, the blossoms come out later here than in more southerly regions. As such, it’s a great spot for those arriving in Japan too late to hit peak season elsewhere.
From around late April each year, Hirosaki Park is transformed into a pink wonderland. Think: 2,500 cherry trees, cherry blossom tunnels, evening illuminations, moats turned completely pink with petals, lovely picnic areas, and rental rowing boats all combining to create a truly magical hanami location. If you visit between April 23rd and May 5th, you will also catch the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival.
9. Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima
Another entry from the northern Tohoku region of Japan, Hanamiyama Park (“flower viewing mountain”) lies on the slopes surrounding a rural farming community in Fukushima Prefecture. The park was started by local farmers who planted ornamental plants and trees in the area, and was opened to the public in 1959. Due to the many different types of cherry tree and other flowering trees, there are actually a wide range of spring blooms in the area, with lovely views of the Azuma Mountains in the distance.
Go to the visitors centre at the park’s entrance to pick up maps with suggested walking courses and viewpoints that look out over Fukushima city.
10. Takato Castle Ruins, Nagano
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Takato Castle Ruins Park in Nagano Prefecture. This is the last of the official top three cherry blossom spots in Japan (along with Mount Yoshino and Hirosaki Castle). Located on a hill in Ina City, the park is about 60 km from Matsumoto (where the “Black Crow” Castle also provides a great hanami location). Visit during the month of April and you’ll find yatai stalls set up all around the park for the annual cherry blossom festival. There are also lovely illuminations held every evening from sunset until 10pm.
As with many of the spots on this list, Takato Castle Park gets super busy during sakura season. Visit early in the morning and avoid weekends, unless you don’t mind crowds! Within the park, the curved Onkyo Bridge is one of the nicest points during cherry blossom. However, there are plenty of other beauty spots if you take the time to wander around.
Planning a spring trip to Japan and want to know whether you’ll catch the sakura? Speak to one of our experts and we’ll let you know the latest bloom predictions.