12 Selected Japan Railway Cherry Blossom Viewing Routes
By Wei Ruiwei, compiled and reported
It's cherry blossom season again！For independent travelers, taking local Japanese trains to follow the annual bloom of cherry blossoms is a truly memorable experience.
From mid-January, cherry blossoms gradually begin to appear in Okinawa, the southernmost part of Japan, then bloom one after another as you head north, creating a nearly four-month-long journey. Cherry blossoms progress from bud to first bloom, full bloom, and then fade, categorized as "three-tenths open," "five-tenths open," "seven-tenths open," and "fully open." The scenery around one week after blooming (about eight-tenths open) is particularly beautiful.
Traveling by train unveils another kind of joy in cherry blossom viewing. (Photo provided by the Interchange Association, Taipei Office, Japan)
Cherry blossoms usually begin to bloom at around 12–13°C, but the time from blooming to full bloom varies depending on the variety and climate—for example, about 8 days in Kyushu, 7 days in the Kanto region, and 5 days in the Tohoku region. Colder regions have shorter blooming periods. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's prediction for 49 locations nationwide regarding Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms as of February 1, this winter has been colder than usual from February to April, so the cherry blossoms are blooming later this year. To find out the exact timing for viewing, you can check the Japan Meteorological Agency's website (www.jwa.or.jp) in advance.
With the signing of the Open Skies Agreement between Japan and Taiwan at the end of 2011, it is expected that from the end of March 2012 (this year), new flight routes between Japan and Taiwan will gradually begin operating, making travel to Japan even more convenient！
Overview of 12 Railway Cherry Blossom Viewing Routes
|
Cherry Blossom Route |
Features |
Recommended Viewing Period |
|
1. JR Hachiko Line (between Kaneko and Higashi-Hanno Stations)W?裣丶/p> |
The cherry blossom avenue at Ichigaya Station is famous in the Tokyo metropolitan area, while the Hachiko Line connecting Hachioji Station and Takasaki Station toward the suburbs also offers a stunning view—near Kaneko Station, the railway bridge is...;?吧?兔骶跽疽膊豢纱砉?＜/p> |
Late March |
|
2. Keifuku Electric Railway Kitano Line (between Funaoka and Takeda Stations) |
Locally known as the “Arashiyama Electric Railway,” the Kitano Line is also famed as a “cherry blossom tunnel.” This section passes through a 200-meter tunnel formed by 70 cherry trees. |
Early April |
|
3. JR Hisatsu Line (between Tsunagi and Hitoyoshi Stations) Kumamoto Prefecture |
After passing Tsunagi Station, you’ll enter a 400-meter-long cherry blossom avenue—this spot is a favorite among photographers. |
Early April
|
|
4. JR Kansai Main Line (between Ogura and Kasagi Stations) Kyoto Prefecture |
Along the Kizu River near Kasagi Station, the Kasagi Cherry Blossom Festival is held when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. |
Early April |
|
5. Tarumi Railway (between Kibiro and Tanzaku-kō Station) Gifu Prefecture |
The Tarumi Railway is famous for its 1,500-year-old “Usuzumi Cherry Tree,” and special trains are added during the cherry blossom season. |
Early April |
|
6. JR Chuo Main Line (between Katsunuma Kajitsu no Sato and Enzan Stations) Yamanashi Prefecture |
Parks near the stations are illuminated in celebration to coincide with the blooming period. |
Early April |
|
7. Oigawa Railway Main Line (between Kawanishi and Urakawa Stations) Shizuoka Prefecture |
The cherry blossom tunnel near Kawanishi is quite popular. |
Early April
|
|
8. WATARASE Valley Railway (between Mizunuma and Hanawa Stations) Gunma Prefecture |
A former ore transport railway, now used for tourism, with particularly beautiful cherry blossoms around Mizunuma Station. |
Early April |
|
9. JR Mito Line (between Kamisui and Fukuroda Stations) Ibaraki Prefecture |
Along the Iwaki-Ishi to Iwaki-X Station section, there are many 500-year-old Tsuchihashi cherry trees. |
Early April |
|
10. JR Ou Main Line (between Taku and Akayu Stations) Yamagata Prefecture |
The Yonezawa Cherry Blossom Corridor near the branch line from Akayu Station to Nagai Line is a famous cherry blossom spot, and the thousand cherry trees in Ubashira Park, a 15-minute walk from Akayu Station, are spectacular. |
Mid-April |
|
11. JR Tohoku Main Line (between Daigaura and Funehoko Stations) Miyagi Prefecture |
A well-known cherry blossom destination, featuring an 8-kilometer stretch with up to 1,200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees. |
Mid-April
|
|
12. JR Kamaishi Line Iwate Prefecture |
Kanokura Park, about an 8-minute walk from Tono Station, offers around 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees every year from late April to early May. |
Late April
|
(Information provided by the Taipei Office of the Interchange Association, Japan)
● Read more: Amid Falling Cherry Blossoms, Head to Ueno Park for a Picnic Feast – Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kanto
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