Travel to Japan during the beautiful Sakura season and witness nature’s amazing transformation!
Me Kazue visited many cherry blossom spots in Japan, and here are the top 5 Ohanami spots of my selection!
No.5 – Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto🚶🌸
Stroll along the canal to experience a serene escape in nature! The two-kilometer path, named after renowned philosopher Nishida Kitaro who was said to have taken his daily meditative walks there, is lined with cherry trees where you can observe and bask in their beauty during Hanami season typically starting late March until early April. Let this picturesque landscape captivate your imagination as it transports you into an idyllic world of peace and nostalgia.
Location map of Tetsugaku no Michi, Philosopher’s Path: https://goo.gl/maps/GQVvjxQQq1SeRqTa8
No.4 – Ueno Park, Tokyo 🐼🌸
Ueno Park is a renowned spot to take in the beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms, known as Hanami. As one of Tokyo’s oldest parks and home to over 1,000 Someiyoshino trees (which make up 80% of all cherry blossom clones across Japan), visitors can expect stunning scenery during springtime when romantic hues fill the sky! Enjoy an array of activities from picnicking with family and friends or admiring the blooming petals alone; whatever you choose there’s no better place for true Hanami appreciation than Ueno Park.
Location map of Ueno Park: https://goo.gl/maps/GcxBoAaUmMQRghzJ7
No.3 – Kawazu Sakura @ Kawazu river, Shizuoka 🗻🌸
It is a cherry tree with very deep pink petals that blooms in Kawazu-town, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is known as the earliest blooming cherry tree blooms in February to early March and continues blooming for about a month. It is a new species of cherry blossom, discovered about 50 years ago, a natural hybrid of the early-blooming “Oshima Zakura” and “Kanhizakura”.
If you want to feel spring early, please visit Kawazu Town. The wonderful collaboration of Kawazu-zakura’s deep pink and bright yellow of rape blossoms is so enchanting!
Location map of Kawazu Town Sakura Festival: https://goo.gl/maps/DKfgh6KyMQ6e8qSm7
No.2 – Osaka Castle Park & Kema Sakuranomiya Park 🏯🌸
Osaka Castle Park is the center of this lush park, which is loved as an oasis in the city. There are about 3,000 cherry trees in the entire park. The vast 105 ha park has a free and open atmosphere, crowded with people having picnic under the cherry trees.
And just 15mins walk from Osaka Castle Park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park, is also must-see gorgeous Ohanami Spot with over 4,000 Sakura trees along the Okawa river. The riverside view and the free atmosphere of Osaka also make us feel very liberated.
If you’re coming to Osaka during Sakura season, you may want to check my anther blog article; 5 best places to see Sakura, cherry blossoms in Osaka
Location map of Osaka Castle Park: https://goo.gl/maps/vxXBBJCFqVshuE9V8
No.1 – Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori 👑🌸
Undoubtedly the BEST Ohanami spot in Japan. 👏
Hirosaki Park, visited by 2 million people every year, is breathtakingly beautiful with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
The various scenes of Sakura in the castle park are all stunning! Since the castle is located in Aomori, the northernmost prefecture in Tohoku, the blooming season is from late April to early May, and the cherry blossom festival held at that time of the year features stalls and various outdoor events. I recommend seeing it at least once in your lifetime.
2023 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival Official Website
Location map of Hirosaki Park: https://goo.gl/maps/nnLMg1Z3NQiLwCoe9
Ok, that’s my best 5 ohanami spot selection. What do you think?
With Japan’s beautiful cherry blossoms, there is a bounty of stunning viewing spots that still remain undiscovered!
I have visited many cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, but not all of them, so there may be many more wonderful places than these. I invite you to share the hidden gems with everyone by recommending them in the comments section. Let us discover and marvel at these magical landscapes together! 🌸🌸