{"id":7575,"date":"2015-02-24T18:55:16","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T18:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insidejapanblog.com\/?p=7575"},"modified":"2023-07-25T09:00:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T08:00:35","slug":"10-fantastic-places-to-see-cherry-blossom-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/24\/10-fantastic-places-to-see-cherry-blossom-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"10 fantastic places to see cherry blossom in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>To the Japanese, the cherry blossom is much more than just a few flowers. It&#8217;s hard to explain to those who haven&#8217;t experienced it, but during the <em>sakura <\/em>(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.<\/p>\n<p>As the\u00a0blossom front sweeps along the length of the archipelago over the course of several months, the shops fill with <em>sakura-<\/em>flavoured drinks and snacks. The blossom<em>\u00a0<\/em>report becomes more important than the weather forecast. People flock in their droves to the most popular <em>hanami <\/em>(flower-viewing) points to layout tarpaulins beneath the trees and generally eat, drink and be merry.<\/p>\n<p>All this means that although it is the busiest time of year for tourism in Japan, it&#8217;s also one of the nicest \u2013 with lovely weather, beautiful landscapes and a relaxed, party-like atmosphere everywhere from the biggest city to the smallest of rural villages.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But where best to make the most of <em>sakura<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well, it depends on who you ask. Everybody tends to have their spot, whether it&#8217;s one of the famous destinations or just their family garden. As such, this is not a &#8220;top ten&#8221; list \u2013 only a few suggestions. You&#8217;ll have to find one for yourself!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>1. Mount Yoshino<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7577\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7577\" style=\"width: 2400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7577 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546.jpg\" alt=\"View from Yoshino's main viewpoint\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-1200x690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-900x518.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-720x414.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-1440x828.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-390x224.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-780x449.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-510x293.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-768x442.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-564x324.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-1536x883.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/yoshino-227-e1610022790546-2048x1178.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View from Yoshino&#8217;s main viewpoint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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&#8217;s the most famous <em>sakura <\/em>viewing spot in Japan \u2013 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 \u2013 as well as lots of <em>yatai <\/em>food stalls \u2013 along the way.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/23\/cherry-blossom-alternatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tickled pink: Cherry blossom alternatives<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Though it does get overwhelmingly busy, I visited Yoshino on a weekend in peak season \u2013 and I do think that it&#8217;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 <em>ryokan <\/em>on the mountain itself so that you can enjoy the blossom in peace, just after sunrise.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;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 <em>yatai <\/em>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).<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2. Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7578 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906.jpg\" alt=\"Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-1200x690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-900x518.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-720x414.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-1440x828.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-390x224.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-780x449.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-510x293.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-768x442.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-564x324.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-1536x883.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/3-tokyo-e28093-shinjuku-gyoen-e1610022837906-2048x1178.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The vast majority of people who travel to Japan visit Tokyo \u2013 so where better to suggest next than the capital&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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 <em>sakura <\/em>season here lasts longer than elsewhere in the city.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Other lovely <em>sakura <\/em>spots in Tokyo include the Imperial Palace Gardens, Hamarikyu Gardens and Ueno Park. Be sure to try out a few!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>3. Himeji Castle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7580 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896.jpg\" alt=\"Himeji Castle in the cherry blossom\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-1200x690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-900x518.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-720x414.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-1440x828.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-390x224.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-780x449.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-510x293.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-768x442.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-564x324.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-1536x883.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_2719-e1610022893896-2048x1178.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0Japan&#8217;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 <em>sakura <\/em>trees, Himeji is undoubtedly at its best in the spring!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If Himeji isn&#8217;t on your itinerary, don&#8217;t worry. Nearly all Japanese castles (whether original or reconstructed) make excellent <em>hanami <\/em>locations as they are traditionally surrounded by cherry trees<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>4. Mount Fuji<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7582 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Fuji framed by sakura\" width=\"1734\" height=\"958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613.jpg 1734w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-1024x566.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-1200x663.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-900x497.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-720x398.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-1440x796.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-390x215.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-780x431.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-510x282.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-768x424.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-564x312.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/mt-fuji-blossom-e1610022937613-1536x849.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1734px) 100vw, 1734px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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 <em>sakura. <\/em>Two of the best spots are the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and the Chureito Pagdo, built in the hills of Fujiyoshida City.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5. Philosopher&#8217;s Path, Kyoto<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7583\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7583\" style=\"width: 1201px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7583 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Elegance; David Lovejoy; IJT Staff; Kyoto\" width=\"1201\" height=\"706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-1024x602.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-900x529.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-720x423.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-390x229.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-780x459.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-510x300.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/67-e1610023071940-564x332.jpg 564w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7583\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Geisha in Kyoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Kyoto&#8217;s Philosopher&#8217;s Path is a lovely stone walkway that follows a canal through the northern part of the city&#8217;s Higashiyama district. It gets its name from a particular philosopher \u2013 Nishida Kitaro \u2013 who they say used to wander the path in meditation on his way to Kyoto University.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The path runs for about two kilometres \u2013 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&#8217;s most popular <em>hanami <\/em>spots.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/03\/5-cherry-blossom-alternatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cherry blossom: 5 alternatives for flower enthusiasts<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7585\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7585\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7585 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367.jpg\" alt=\"Hanami parties in Maruyama Park\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-1200x627.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-900x470.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-720x376.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-1440x752.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-390x204.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-780x408.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-510x266.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-768x401.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-564x295.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/img_1450-e1610023115367-1536x803.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><i>Hanami<\/i> parties in Maruyama Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Other famous <em>hanami <\/em>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!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>6.\u00a0Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7586 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121.jpg\" alt=\"Kenrokuen Gardens with cherry blossom, Kanazawa\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-1200x690.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-900x518.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-720x414.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-1440x828.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-390x224.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-780x449.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-510x293.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-768x442.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-564x324.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-1536x883.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/kanazawa_04132014_0778-e1610023154121-2048x1178.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>7. Miharu Takizakura<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7587\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7587\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7587 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251.jpg\" alt=\"Miharu Takizakura\" width=\"1280\" height=\"755\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-1024x604.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-1200x708.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-900x531.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-720x425.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-390x230.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-780x460.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-510x301.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-768x453.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/m_1553951-e1610023201251-564x333.jpg 564w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7587\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miharu Takizakura (photo: JNTO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Miharu Takizakura (the &#8220;Waterfall cherry tree of Miharu&#8221;) is located near the small town of Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of Japan&#8217;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&#8217;s most famous tree.<\/p>\n<p>The Japanese do like to rank things in lists, so it comes as no surprise that Miharu Takizakura tops both the &#8220;five great cherry trees of Japan&#8221; and the &#8220;three giant cherry trees of Japan&#8221;. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, &#8220;polls frequently rank it as the number one tree in all of Japan&#8221;. One does have to wonder how often Japan needs to take polls about its trees, but anyway. It&#8217;s a pretty nice tree, I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll agree.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>8. Hirosaki Castle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7589 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189.jpg\" alt=\"Hirosaki Castle with sakura\" width=\"2250\" height=\"1310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189.jpg 2250w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-1024x596.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-1200x699.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-900x524.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-720x419.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-1440x838.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-390x227.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-780x454.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-510x297.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-768x447.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-564x328.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-1536x894.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/2-hirosaki-castle-aomori-e1610023249189-2048x1192.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">At the northern tip of Honshu, Hirosaki Castle is a wonderful place to see in the <em>sakura<\/em>. Since it&#8217;s so northern, the blossoms come out later here than in more southerly regions. As such, it&#8217;s a great spot for those arriving in Japan too late to hit peak season elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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 <em>hanami <\/em>location. If you visit between April 23rd and May 5th, you will also catch the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>9.\u00a0Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29597\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29597\" style=\"width: 832px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29597\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b.jpg\" alt=\"Hanamiyama Park\" width=\"832\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b.jpg 832w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/7728_02b-510x287.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29597\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanamiyama Park (photo: Japanguide.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Another entry from the northern Tohoku region of Japan, Hanamiyama Park (&#8220;flower viewing mountain&#8221;) 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.<\/p>\n<p>Go to the visitors centre at the park&#8217;s entrance to pick up maps with suggested walking courses and viewpoints that look out over Fukushima city.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>10. Takato Castle Ruins, Nagano<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-29600 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516.jpg\" alt=\"Cherry blossom\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-1024x553.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-768x414.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-564x304.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-1536x829.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-1200x648.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-900x486.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-720x389.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-1440x777.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-390x210.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-780x421.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/cherry-3333190_1920-e1610023820516-510x275.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">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 &#8220;Black Crow&#8221; Castle also provides a great <em>hanami <\/em>location). Visit during the month of April and you&#8217;ll find <em>yatai <\/em>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.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">As with many of the spots on this list, Takato Castle Park gets super busy during <em>sakura <\/em>season. Visit early in the morning and avoid weekends, unless you don&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Planning a spring trip to Japan and want to know whether you&#8217;ll catch the <em>sakura?<\/em><\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/about-us\/contact-us\/\">Speak to one of our experts <\/a>and we&#8217;ll let you know the latest bloom predictions.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F7575\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! To the Japanese, the cherry blossom is much more than just a few flowers. It&#8217;s hard to explain to those who haven&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2361],"tags":[1404,1705,2131,2403],"class_list":["post-7575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-when-to-go-to-japan","tag-cherry-blossom","tag-japans-seasons","tag-spring-in-japan","tag-things-to-see-in-japan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7575"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32852,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575\/revisions\/32852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}