Cherry blossom chasing in Japan: A hidden gem loved by locals – Hachitsurumizuumi Lake, beautiful both day and night

Text & photos by /Happy Cloud

I’m often asked during speeches if I have any off-the-beaten-path spots to recommend. Haha, in this age of advanced internet, what secrets are left? How could there still be hidden gems?? Indeed, the internet has made travel information so transparent and convenient. But precisely because of that, everyone can easily find the information and get there. And if you can even speak the local language, then all the local info becomes completely exposed, Up~ So, in this day and age, there really aren’t many secret spots left.

During my trip to Chiba last spring, I was thrilled to visit several cherry blossom spots known only to locals, all thanks to the thoughtful arrangements of a Japanese friend. There was even one place I stumbled upon by accident, which even the locals didn’t seem to know much about. It was such a delightful surprise to rediscover the unexpected joys of travel—what a wonderful feeling!!

On my cherry blossom journey last year, I visited several highly recommended spots. If you’d rather not share the experience with tourists who speak the same language as you, then these posts about my cherry blossom trips in Chiba are sure to bring you some pleasant surprises!!

[Japan, Chiba Prefecture] Spring travel, a personal cherry blossom chase; an off-the-beaten-path spot near Tokyo, the Tone Canal in Noda City.
[Japan, Chiba Prefecture] Spring travel, a personal cherry blossom chase; a top local pick for cherry blossom viewing, Shimizu Park (しみずこうえん).
[Japan, Chiba Prefecture] Spring travel, a personal cherry blossom chase; an outrageously beautiful scene with airplanes and cherry blossoms – Sakura no Yama Park (さくらの山公园).
[Japan, Chiba Prefecture] Spring travel, a personal cherry blossom chase; enjoy a cherry blossom picnic at “Sakura Castle Ruins Park”.
[Japan, Chiba Prefecture] Spring railway travel, where pink cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers dance along the tracks, so beautiful it makes you want to jump off the train – the Isumi Line (夷隅鉄道) (sister line to the Jiji Train in Nantou).

Today, I’d like to share another local favorite cherry blossom spot with you all, located in Higashi-Katsuura, Chiba — “Hachitsurumizuumi Lake.” Even the taxi drivers say that the area gets traffic jams at night when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!! That shows just how popular this spot is among locals. When I arrived at Hachitsurumizuumi Lake, it was already dark, and with light rain falling, night fell quickly. Along the lakeside, there were quite a few cherry blossom trees,

and even the road encircling the lake was lined with them. At night, when the pathway around the lake was lit up with lanterns and lights, the classic Japanese cherry blossom atmosphere became incredibly strong. There were young office workers finishing their shifts, students, families with kids, and elderly couples strolling along the lake—it felt very relaxed, as if cherry blossom viewing was a key part of life during this season.

There were also some small food stalls around the lake selling all kinds of snacks, along with designated dining areas covered with transparent tarps, heated by charcoal braziers to ward off the still-chilly spring nights. There were also game booths, like goldfish scooping, ball tossing, shooting games... you name it, adding a lot of fun elements to the cherry blossom experience.

It even had the vibe of a night market in Taiwan, except that the language you heard was Japanese, which you couldn’t understand. That feeling was actually quite nice. In Japan, it’s getting harder and harder to find places where you don’t hear Chinese!!

As I walked along the lake, enjoying the night blossoms with the locals, even without fancy lighting, the beauty of the cherry blossoms by the lakeside wasn’t diminished. We were lucky that night—the moon was out, and its glow reflected beautifully on Hachitsurumizuumi Lake. So gorgeous!!

My Japanese friend, who was traveling with me, kindly asked, “We came a bit late today. Would you like to come back and see the cherry blossoms again tomorrow before you leave?” What a thoughtful gesture. Early the next morning, I took a car from my hotel to Hachitsurumizuumi Lake via the station. The cherry blossoms along the roadside were also stunning, adding a touch of romance to the drive beneath their canopy. Nearby, I spotted a school and a few students, while most shops and stalls hadn’t opened yet.

The Hachitsurumizuumi Lake in the morning felt even more serene. With almost no one else on the lakeside path, it felt like the entire place was mine alone, as if I were walking in my own backyard garden. Having the place to myself to admire the cherry blossoms felt amazing!!

Every now and then, gusts of wind blew, causing the swaying branches to scatter petals. It was a long-awaited “cherry blossom snow.” Though not as magnificent as what I saw at Meguro River in Tokyo, it still created a peaceful and serene scene. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t ideal that day—no sunshine, just a greyish, slightly damp atmosphere that brought a hint of melancholy. It seemed as if spring was hurrying along, and in recent years, the rapidly changing weather has thrown off the blooming schedules.

By the lake, there was a small shrine, the Itsukushima Shrine. It reminded me of the one on Miyajima Island. This must be a tiny branch shrine. With cherry blossoms nearby, it added a romantic touch. The wild green willows hanging down were quite beautiful. Taking a little stroll along the lakeside, I occasionally met locals out exercising or walking. I felt as if I were living here, not just passing through. I really love this kind of travel style.

The Japanese friend who brought me here is a seasoned tour guide. In the past, he used to take Japanese tourists abroad to Europe. He happened to be in Japan during those days, not on a tour, so I had the chance to follow him and explore many of Chiba’s hidden cherry blossom spots. He’s such a thoughtful person—just by looking at my eyes and expressions, he knew what I wanted. Thanks to him, I was able to explore freely, and whenever we encountered stunning cherry blossoms, we could stop and enjoy them at our leisure. It was a rare opportunity to go cherry blossom viewing with a local. We visited many cherry blossom spots in Chiba, near Tokyo. Today, I’m sharing “Hachitsurumizuumi Lake” with you, and I’ll share more local cherry blossom spots with you later. For now, enjoy the blossoms—I’ll stop here!!

..................................To be continued

Hachitsurumizuumi Lake (Hachitsurumizuumi)
Website:http://maruchiba.jp/sys/data/index/page/id/3337
Address: 1415 Higashi-Katsuura, Chiba
How to get there: A 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Katsuura Station on the Higashi-Katsuura Line
Higashi-Katsuura Cherry Blossom Festival (late March to early April)

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