The period from March to April each year is the cherry blossom season — that’s something most people know. But can you guess where in Japan you can see cherry blossoms as early as the end of January?
Introducing this time is the Okinawa Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan. The local cherry blossoms belong to the “Kanhizakura” variety, which typically blooms from late January to early February — just in time for our Lunar New Year, hence they’re also known as “New Year’s Day Cherry Blossoms,” symbolizing good fortune.
1) Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2017, 11:00–21:00
Lighting-up Period: Friday, January 20, 2017 – Sunday, February 5, 2017
Venue: Yaese Park (Tomimori, Yaese-cho, Okinawa Prefecture)
Website: http://www.town.yaese.lg.jp/yaese_sight/
2) Kin Town Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Festival
Dates: Saturday, January 21, 2017 – Sunday, February 5, 2017
Venue: Kin Town Castle Ruins (5101 Imabaru, Kin-cho, Okinawa Prefecture)
Website: http://www.town.motobu.okinawa.jp/
3) Nago Cherry Blossom Festival
Dates: Saturday, January 28, 2017 – Sunday, January 29, 2017, 11:00–21:00
Venue: Nago Central Park, Special Stage at Festival Plaza (around 2-4 Shiro, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture)
Website: http://nago-kanko.jugem.jp/
Related Attractions: Nago Pineapple Park
4) Naha Beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival
Dates: Saturday/Sunday National Holiday, February 11, 2017 – Sunday, February 12, 2017, 10:00–20:00
Venue: Manko Park (Furuzuka, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture)
Related Reading
45 Selected Photogenic Travel Spots in Okinawa
Image Source: Visit Okinawa hk Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau