Cherry blossoms in full bloom – head to Japan for night-time sakura viewing

When spring arrives, cherry blossoms across Japan bloom from south to north, and local hanami festivals kick off one after another. Admiring the delicate pink hues of sakura under a bright blue sky is a must-do for visitors to Japan, but when night falls, the blossoms illuminated by lights transform from their daytime pastels into enchanting night sprites – an absolutely unmissable spectacle!

On the eastern shore of Okayama Korakuen, along approximately 1.3 kilometers of riverside, some 1,300 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are planted, making it a famous flower-viewing spot in Japan. During the blooming season, the area is bustling not only with various street vendors but also with a traveling amusement park. From sunset until 9 p.m., the cherry trees are illuminated with lanterns known in Japanese as “bonbori,” creating a fantastical nighttime world.

Built in 1673, the Kintai Bridge is a five-arch wooden bridge spanning the Nishiki River, the largest river in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is one of Japan’s three most famous bridges. The Somei Yoshino and yaezakura cherry trees along the Nishiki River embankment—around 3,000 in total—create a spectacular view when framed by the famed Nishiki River. At night, you can also enjoy the night blossoms in the grassy plaza, which is perfect for flower viewing.

Maruyama Park is Kyoto’s most popular destination for cherry blossom viewing. In spring, the park is filled with swaying cherry branches, but the Kyoto locals’ favorite—the “Maruyama Night Sakura”—is a 70-plus-year-old second-generation weeping cherry tree. The blossom festivities at Maruyama Park rival those of Tokyo’s Ueno Park, and the park stays brightly lit at night, allowing everyone to celebrate into the early hours.

Hirano Shrine is an ancient shrine originally relocated to Kyoto during the Heian period by Emperor Kanmu when the capital was moved there. The grounds are home to dozens of varieties and about 500 precious cherry trees—the largest number in Kyoto—which locals call the “Yoshino sakura.” Most of them bloom early; by mid-March, the “peach-like sakura” begin to flower, just the opposite of the later-blooming “Miidera sakura” at Ninnaji Temple.

Hirano Shrine was built by the mother of Emperor Kanmu, who moved the capital to Kyoto, in honor of the goddess Himemiko. The main hall features a rare architectural style called Hirano-zukuri, consisting of four shrine buildings. The shrine is home to about 40 types of cherry trees, including rare varieties like the Ume-no-sakura. In early April, 500 cherry trees bloom simultaneously, and the site not only hosts night-viewing events but also holds an annual cherry blossom festival.