Spring cherry blossoms are in full bloom—follow the app to Japan for a cherry blossom adventure

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, compiled and reported by Ren Xiang

 

 

Okinawa, located at the southernmost part of Japan, is the earliest region where cherry blossoms bloom. Okinawa’s Nakijin Castle is famous for hosting Japan’s earliest cherry blossom festival. Every late January, crowds stroll beneath the blooming kanzan cherry blossoms, making Nakijin Central Park the liveliest during this time.

For those who have missed the Okinawa cherry blossom season, keep an eye out for the upcoming blooms in Kyushu. Japan’s sakura front website predicts that Kyushu’s cherry blossoms will bloom around mid-March. In Fukuoka, the willows along the Yoshinogawa waterways sway gently, and during the blooming season, rows of cherry blossoms line the paths, complemented by a variety of other colorful flowers. Kumamoto’s Shimabara Castle, surrounded by flowers, attracts about 300,000 visitors each year. Also in Oita, the Yufuin Onsen area, with its mountainous expanses of cherry blossoms and abundant hot springs, has become a favorite spot for young Japanese women.

 

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3Late February to early March – Chugoku, Shikoku & Kansai

 

By late March, cherry blossoms begin blooming further north. Tokushima Central Park’s cherry blossoms tend to bloom earlier than other areas in Shikoku, with many family outings to see the blossoms visible as early as early March. Okayama Korakuen Garden, known as one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, boasts vast grounds surrounded by waterways and crisscrossing garden paths. The blooming cherry blossoms add a unique charm to the garden.

Kyoto has long been a renowned cherry blossom destination, with countless famous spots such as Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Heian Shrine, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. During the cherry blossom season, these places are always packed with people. Osaka, also in the Kansai region, is no less popular. Osaka Castle and the Osaka Mint Bureau attract many families who come to picnic under the cherry blossoms during this season.

 

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3End of March – Chubu & Kanto

 

By the end of March, the southern parts of Japan are already in full bloom, while the central and Kanto regions are just beginning to see cherry blossoms. Nagoya Castle is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing, and like Osaka Castle, Nagoya Park is filled with people enjoying the blossoms. In neighboring Mie Prefecture, Matsusaka Castle is another highlight, with Matsusaka Castle Park covered in cherry blossoms that paint the park in vibrant colors when in season.

As for Tokyo, readers are likely already familiar with it. Tokyo’s most iconic cherry blossom spot is Ueno Park. Ueno Park, the largest park in Tokyo, sees its peak crowds during the cherry blossom season at the end of March. Nighttime cherry blossom viewing events are also held, with food stalls and visitors packing the park. At Koishikawa Korakuen, the scenic tree-lined bridges offer delightful views from different angles, and the park’s most famous sight is the centuries-old weeping cherry blossoms in spring. Beyond the parks, the Meguro River, stretching nearly 8 kilometers, features a riverside promenade lined with cherry blossom trees known as Namiki-dori, attracting many Tokyo locals during the blooming season.

 

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4Early April – Tohoku & Hokkaido

 

Tohoku and Hokkaido are the latest regions to see cherry blossoms. Planning a northern cherry blossom trip during the early April spring break is also a great choice. Hirosaki Castle in Aomori Prefecture is one of the Tohoku region’s three major cherry blossom spots, home to 2,600 cherry trees. Taking a boat ride to view the blossoms offers a uniquely charming experience.

Hokkaido’s Maruyama Park covers a vast area, with about 1,500 cherry trees near Hokkaido Shrine, which bloom in spring, making it a famous cherry blossom spot in Sapporo. The busiest time for Hokkaido Shrine each year is during New Year’s visits and the cherry blossom season. Hokkaido is also known for its unique shibazakura (literally “grass flowers”), which resemble cherry blossoms but grow flat on the ground (shiba means “grass” in Japanese). From mid-May to late June, the blooming shibazakura create a dreamy pink carpet that decorates several shibazakura parks.

 

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