Which Is The Best Place To See Cherry Blossoms In Japan? Know Here

You are planning to travel to Japan, the land of cherry blossoms this spring? You want to find the best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan but still don’t have any idea in your hand? Congratulations! You’ve just come to the right place as in this blog we will give you information about the Top 9 places for seeing cherry blossom flowers in Japan recommended by local people. So are you ready? Here we go!

Looking For The Best Place To See Cherry Blossoms In Japan? Here Are 9 Fantastic Recommendations For You

Things are going to be crazy when the spring comes with the appearance of cherry blossoms in Japan. To the Japanese, cherry blossom has more meaningful than just a few flowers. It is difficult for us to explain to people who have never experienced it, but during the cherry blossom season (sakura season), the whole Japan dives into the festival atmosphere lasting from the first petal drops in the southern Okinawa until the last flowering down in the northern Hokkaido. At that time, the information of blossom report is even more important than that of the weather forecast, the shops fill with sakura-flavored snacks and drinks, and people tend to come to the famous hanami (blossom viewing) places, laying out tarpaulins under the trees and having fun together. To enjoy these amazing things, let’s go to anywhere of the 9 places below:

1. Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo

Tokyo is a charming city with its unique history and lots of tourist attractions to discover. When coming to Japan for the first time, a majority of tourists often think of visiting either Kyoto or Tokyo to see cherry blossom. If you already know about this statement, then there will nothing much to say about Tokyo. To be honest, the capital of Japan has plenty of things to make your trip a great experience.

Located right at the heart of the city, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the most popular and biggest parks in Tokyo. This park is home to over thousands of cherry trees of both early- & late-blooming species, meaning the cherry blossom season here lasts longer than other places in the city. Additionally, this park is not as crowded as other sakura locations, so you can roam around and enjoy Hanami in a quiet atmosphere. For these reasons, it is listed as one of the best places for viewing cherry blossom in Tokyo.

Other beautiful cherry blossom spots in the city are Ueno Park, Hamarikyu Gardens and Palace Gardens. Each place is beautiful in its way – so be sure to check out them if you have enough time.

2. Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto

Another best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan is the Philosopher’s Path, Tokyo. Located in the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, it is a lovely 2-km stone walkway flowing a canal that is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Walking along this path in early April gives you an amazing admiration at the beauty of cherry blossom. Besides, explore the temples you find on the way.

3. Mount Fuji

There is nothing better than seeing Mount Fuji and cherry blossom, two national icons of Japan at one time. For a couple months each year, you can get both of them at the price of one as the mount is surrounded by cherry blossom. There are plenty of places from which to see Mount Fuji, but the most favorite places are the Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone region. In cherry blossom season, view from the Fuji Five Lakes maybe better than Hakone. Besides, other two beautiful spots are the Chureito Pagoda, built on the hills of Fujiyoshida City and the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko.

best place to see cherry blossom in Japan

Mount Fuji in cherry blossom season

4. Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most striking and biggest castle in Japan and also a lovely place to see cherry blossom. This castle has survived earthquakes, wars, fires and the Meiji Restoration to become one of the only handful of original feudal castles still standing in Japan. Cherry trees are grown around the castle so there is no doubt that it is more beautiful in the spring.

japanese symbol for hope

Himeji Castle is one of the most attractive sakura locations in Japan

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If you can not visit Himeji this spring, don’t worry as all castles in Japan (both original and reconstructed) make wonderful hanami spots as they all are surrounded by cherry trees.

5. Mount Yoshino

Another best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan is Mount Yoshino. It is located within Yoshino-Kumano National Park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by over 30,000 cherry trees of many different varieties, the mountain is famous for its majestic view when it comes to cherry blossom season. Alongside viewing sakura, the mountain is well worth the visit the Japanese national treasure such as Yoshimizu Shrine, Yoshimizu Shrine, and Kinpusenji Temple.

Note: The full blooming period starts from early April and ends in mid-April.

6. Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle is the next answer for the question “Which is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan?”. This castle is located at the northern tip of Honshu main island and has a wonderful view in cherry blossom season. Because it is in the north so cherry blossoms bloom later than other places in the south of Japan, making it a great place for people who come to Japan too late to hit peak season elsewhere.

Hirosaki Park is turned into a pink fairyland from late April each year with more than 2,500 cherry trees, evening illuminations, cherry blossom tunnels, attractive picnic areas, moats turned completely pink with petals, and rental rowing boats combining to make a truly mystical hanami spot. You can also catch the Hirosaki sakura festival if you visit there from April 23 to May 5.

7. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa

Being known as one of the best landscape gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen Garden is worth the visit at any time of year, especially during the cherry blossom season. Covered by a lot of cherry tree, this garden is very big so you can find a lot of places to roam and enjoy the peaceful beauty of cherry blossom.

best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan

Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa in cherry blossom season

Additionally, there are many tourist attractions around the garden, especially the Kanazawa Castle, one of the most attractive destinations in Japan with cutting edge 21st Century Museum of Art, beautifully preserved traditional districts, shiny new bullet train line, beautiful station. So if you have time, don’t forget to take a trip there.

8. Miharu Takizakura

Located in Miharu, a town in central Fukushima, the Miharu Takizakura is well-known as the most beautiful cherry tree in Japan. The tree is over 1000 years old, 12 meters tall and with a trunk circumference of 9.5 meters. From mid to late April each year, the tree reaches the peak of its flowering season and there are lots of tourists come to enjoy its cherry blossoms. Although there are many people coming there, the process of touring around the tree is kept pleasant and smooth. So if you want to go visit this pretty nice tree, go as soon as possible as roads connecting to the location can get exclusively congested.

9. Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima

Last but certainly not least on “our best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan list” is Hanamiyama Park which is located on the slopes surrounding a rural farming community in Fukushima. The park was started by local farmers who planted flowering trees and ornamental plants on the hillsides around their land. In 1959 the park was opened to the public and has grown to be one of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in the city.

From mid to late April, several cherry varieties combine with flowering trees planted in large numbers around the slopes give to visitors a wide range of spring colors.

Hopefully, the list above will help you find out which is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Japan and which one will fit your route the most. If you have any question or need advice when planning to visit Japan, feel free to leave a comment below.

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About Hayami Mori

Hayami Mori is an awesome travel blogger & photographer. She was born and raised in Tokyo and have been here for nearly 25 years. She loves traveling and always wants to introduce her beautiful Japan to travelers from all over the world. Therefore, her blog is a great source of information for people looking for what to do in Japan as well as provides some tips to make their trips unforgettable.

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