Spring is considered as the most beautiful season in Japan when cherry blossoms fully bloom covering the country with the perfectly porcelain pink color. This season usually lasts from late April to early May, is also the ideal time for ‘hanami’ – seeing cherry blossom which is a traditional activity with hundreds of years of history. Here are the best spots Shore Excursions Asia recommends for viewing sakura (cherry blossoms) in Japan.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Tokyo
Shinjuku Gyoen Park
The park is home to more than a thousand cherry trees blooming in different times both early and late of the cherry blossom season. Shinjuku Gyoen has many large lawn areas to view the cherry blossom trees in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The park is also the best place to hanami for those who miss the main blooming time that the early and late cherry trees.
Chidorigafuchi Moat
Chidorigafuchi Moat is the guardian surrounding the former Edo Castle and Kitanomaru Park. Hundreds of cherry blossom trees flush decorating the bank of the moats making it become one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Picnic here is not allowed that children can carelessly slip to the water. However, renting a boat to downstream the boat while admiring the cherry blossoms along the way. In the evening, trees are lit up creating a fantastic sight as a wonderland.
Cherry Blossoms Spots with Mount Fuji
Northern Shores of Lake Kawaguchiko
Mount Fuji and Sakura are the two symbol when people talking about Japan. Imagine what will happen if two combine into one. The sight over Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji as a splendor background far behind is particularly spectacular in spring when cherry blossoms fully bloom. The best spots to view sakura with Mount Fuji are the small Ubuyagasaki peninsula next to the Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge and the lakeside promenade around the Kawaguchiko Music Forest.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Kanazawa
Kenrokuen Garden
Even without cherry blossom trees, Kenrokuen Garden is still the most famous garden in Japan. In spring, thanks to the good proliferation of various blossom trees inside, the garden becomes one of the most bustling and worth-visiting places in Kanazawa Prefecture. Moreover, the area near Ishikawa Gate – a part of Kanazawa Castle – is also an ideal place to admire cherry blossom trees.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Osaka
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is well-known for the elegant architecture and light jade green color. In spring, more than 4000 cherry blossom trees burst into fully blooming on the large grounds of Osaka Castle. The castle is highlighted in the background of white-pink color when petals falling from the old boughs. The Nishinomaru Park nearby is the best place to hanami both during daytime or at night that the trees and castle are lighted up.
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
The parklands on several kilometers with around 5000 cherry blossoms trees lined up on the bank of Okawa River. The endless lines of porcelain pink trees are best tasted when you have a seat on cruises along the river or go picnic on the pleasant riverside promenades.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Himeji
Himeji Castle & Park
The perfectly white castle of Himeji standing out of hundreds of cherry blossom trees is an iconic symbol of the city. This one of the best seasonal sights in Japan with the combination of the classic architectural castle and the soft feeling brought by idyllic sakura. Note that there is a fee to visit inside the castle if you want to discover the Japanese traditional culture.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park
The quiet atmosphere in Peace Memorial Park of Hiroshima makes it become a famous spot to view cherry blossom trees. There are three common ways: on foot, by car or on a river cruise. Besides 300 cherry trees, the park is also home to various kinds of flowers such as roses, tulips, azaleas, and oleanders.
Miyajima
Just a small peninsula outskirt of Hiroshima, Miyajima with the sacred shrine and floating tori gate lined up by 1300 cherry blossom trees planted around the shrine and also along the walking trail. Enjoy a stroll along to catch the spectacular sight.
Cherry Blossoms Spots in Hakodate
Goryokaku Fort
The star-shaped Fort Goryokaku is a Western-style citadel built inside Hakodate. Over 1000 thousand cherry blossom trees grow inside the park and also along the moats creating the sight as one of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in not only Hakodate but also Hokkaido.
