Cherry blossoms are known familiarly as a symbol of spring in Japan, and it’s a typical seasonal feature to announce the arrival of the spring throughout Japan. Cherry blossoms gloriously bloom and fall in an instant. For this reason, Japanese people are eagerly waiting for the blooming of cherry blossoms and attracted by its momentary beauty. Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots is chosen by Japan Cherry Blossom Association in 1990. This time we introduce 20 spots in Kansa region out of those.
Contents
- 1. Kaizu Osaki / Shiga
- 2. Ho Park / Shiga
- 3. Arashiyama / Kyoto
- 4. Ninna-ji Temple / Kyoto
- 5. Daigoji Temple / Kyoto
- 6. Kasagiyama Natural Park / Kyoto
- 7. Osaka Castle Park / Osaka
- 8. Japan Mint / Osaka
- 9. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park / Osaka
- 10. Himeji Castle / Hyogo
- 11. Akashi Park / Hyogo
- 12. Shukugawa Park / Hyogo
- 13. Nara Park / Nara
- 14. Mt.Yoshino / Nara
- 15. Koriyama Castle Park / Nara
- 16. Kimiidera Temple / Wakayama
- 17. Negoro-ji Temple / Wakayama
- 18. Shichikawa dam Lake / Wakayama
- 19. Mitake / Mie
- 20. Miyagawa Riverbank / Mie
1. Kaizu Osaki / Shiga
photo by Biwako Visitors Bureau
Kaizu-osaki(海津大崎) is a shore reef area putting out into Lake Biwa located in Takashima City of Shiga and it is one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa known as “Rock reef of Kaizu Osaki in the fog at the dawn”. It’s a famous cherry blossom viewing spot as well as a popular scenic area, where the tunnel of roughly 800 cherry trees streches about 4km at their best. Many visitors are fascinated by a row of beautiful cherry trees against a backdrop of the deep blue water of the Lake Biwa.
Spot Information
| Name | Kaizu Osaki(海津大崎) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April – Mid-April | |
| Address | Kaizu, Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga, Japan |
2. Ho Park / Shiga
photo by Biwako Visitors Bureau
Ho Park(豊公園) has established at the site of the Nagahama Castle, and the castle tower restored in 1983 is currently operated as a Nagahama Castle Historical Museum. There are about 800 Someiyoshino cherry trees planted in the park, which will brilliantly bloom surrounding the castle tower in their best. The paper lanterns are lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere with cherry blossoms against the castle tower.
Spot Information
| Name | Ho Park(豊公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April – Mid-April | |
| Address | Koen-cho, Nagahama City, Shiga, Japan |
3. Arashiyama / Kyoto
Arashiyama(嵐山) is representative scenic spot in Kyoto through all seasons and will be gorgeously covered with 1500 Yama-zakura and Someiyoshino cherry trees in spring. It’s highly impressive to see cherry-pink tinted mountains over Togetsu-kyo Bridge! It’s known as the sight of cherry blossoms at night as well and illuminated cherry trees are breathtakingly beautiful.
Spot Information
| Name | Arashiyama(嵐山) | |
| Best Viewing | Mid-March – Early April | |
| Address | Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan |
4. Ninna-ji Temple / Kyoto
Ninna-ji Temple(仁和寺), located in the northwest of Kyoto City, was called “Omurogosho” (Omuro Imperial Palace) because it had a deep connection to the Imperial family. It is designed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994 and there are many national treasures and important cultural properties such as vermilion‐lacquered central gate and five-story tower. A total of 200 Omurozakura which is last-blooming cherry tree in Kyoto is planted in the west area passing through the central gate. Omurozakura is characterized of roughly 2m of tree height and deeper and larger petals, and it’s designed as National Scenic Beauty.
Spot Information
| Name | Ninna-ji Temple(仁和寺) | |
| Best Viewing | Mid-April | |
| Address | Omuro-dairi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan |
5. Daigoji Temple / Kyoto
Daigoji(醍醐寺) Temple is located on the Mt.Daigo in the the southeast of Kyoto City and its large estate covers more than 661 hectare. It’s a famous place where Hideyoshi Toyotomi, governed the whole country in the late 16th century, held the largest scale of hanami (cherry blossm viewing) known as “Blossom-viewing in Daigo” his last years. Daigoji Temple is entirely covered with the various cherry trees such as Sidarezakura, Someiyoshino, Yaezakura in spring, fascinating visitors all over the world every year.
Spot Information
| Name | Daigoji Temple(醍醐寺) | |
| Best Viewing | Mid-March – Mid-April | |
| Address | 22 Higashioji-cho, Daigo, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan |
6. Kasagiyama Natural Park / Kyoto
Mt.Kasagiyama is 289m above sea level located in the southern part of Kyoto, and giant rocks are exposed throughout the mountain because it had been a site of megalithic religion since ancient times. There are about 3000 cherry trees at the river bed of Kizu river flowing at the base of Mt.Kasagiyama, creating an admirable row of cherry trees. It’s amaing to see a train passing throught the tunnel of cherry trees near the Kasagi Station!
Spot Information
| Name | Kasagiyama Natural Park(笠置山自然公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | Kasagiyama, Kasagi-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto, Japan |
7. Osaka Castle Park / Osaka
photo by Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
Osaka Castle Park(大阪城公園) is a historic park formed around Osaka Castle built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1583. More than 3000 cherry trees such as Someiyoshino and Yamazakura are planted within the park. Especially Nishinomaru garden is a popular spot of cherry blossom viewing, and it’s a gorgeous scenery to see the cherry blossoms against a background of the castle tower.
Spot Information
| Name | Osaka Castle Park(大阪城公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April | |
| Address | OsakaJo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan |
8. Japan Mint / Osaka
photo by Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
The tunnel of cherry blossoms created by roughly 120 kinds and 350 cherry trees appear only in spring from south gate to north gate of the Japan Mint. It is familiar as pathways of cherry trees yearly open to the public for one week in full bloom. A long row of cherry trees are illuminated by paper lanterns in the evening, creating a fantastic scenery all around.
Spot Information
| Name | Japan Mint(造幣局) | |
| Best Viewing | Mid-April | |
| Address | 1-1-79 Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan |
9. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park / Osaka
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park(万博公園) has established at the site of Japan World Exposition held in 1970 and approximately 260ha of vast site of the park consists of five areas, which are the Japanese Garden, the Natural and Cultural Gardens, cultural institution area, sports and recreation area, and parking area. Roughly 5500 cherry trees, mainly Someiyoshino, are planted throughout the park. The tower of the sun, the symbol of the park, will loom out of an abundant cherry blossoms, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the area. Visitors can enjoy beautifully illuminated cherry blossoms at night during the festival.
Spot Information
| Name | Expo ’70 Commemorative Park(万博公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Mid-April | |
| Address | Senri Banpaku-koen, Suita City, Osaka, Japan |
10. Himeji Castle / Hyogo
photo by Himeji City
Himeji Castle(姫路城), a Japan’s national treasure, is over 400 years old and designed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993 . There are totally 1000 of Someiyoshino, Yamazakura, Shidarezakura trees planted in the elegant castle known as “White Heron Castle”. A beauty of cherry blossoms are in harmony with the solemn dignity appearance of the castle in full bloom. There are many spots of cherry blossoms within the castle such as Sannomaru, Nishinomaru Garden, Sangokuhori (moat), and Hishino Gate, highly attracting many visitors every spring.
Spot Information
| Name | Himeji Castle(姫路城) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April – Mid-April | |
| Address | 68 Hon-machi, Himeji City, Hyogo, Japan |
11. Akashi Park / Hyogo
Akashi Park(明石公園) has established at the site of Akashi Castle Ruins, and there are sports facilities, public squares, and public library as well as castle remains including turrets, moats, and stone walls on the site of the 550,000 square meters. About 1000 cherry trees surrounding the moat are simultaneously in full bloom in spring, creating a spectacular and overwhelming view attracting many visitors every year.
Spot Information
| Name | Akashi Park(明石公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | 1-27 Akashi-koen, Akashi City, Hyogo, Japan |
12. Shukugawa Park / Hyogo
Shukugawa Park(夙川公園) is a narrow and long park about 4km of total length established along the Shukugawa river. A long row of cherry trees stretches over 3km from Rinko road to North Shukugawa Bridge. Totally 1700 cherry trees will create the tunnel of cherry blossoms in spring, and the park will be crowed with blossom viwers.
Spot Information
| Name | Shukugawa Park(夙川公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | Ketsuzen-cho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, Japan |
13. Nara Park / Nara
Nara Park(奈良公園) covers 660 hectares of vast area, including shrines and temples built in the 8th century such as Todaiji temple, Kohfukuji temple, and Kasugataisha shrine. It has been a popular spot of cherry blossom viewing since old times. Over 1700 cherry trees are planted only in the flat area of the park. Especially “Narano-yaezakura” is a rare and valuable kind of cherry tree that described in the ancient Japanese poems, and it is naturally designed as a national monument. Narano-yaezakura is late blooming, so that it blooms from the end of April through early May every year.
Spot Information
| Name | Nara Park(奈良公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Late April | |
| Address | 469 Zoushi-cho, Nara City, Nara, Japan |
14. Mt.Yoshino / Nara
photo by photo2013.info
Mt.Yoshino(吉野山), located in the central part of Nara Prefecture, is a sacred place of Cherry trees in Japan. Over 30,000 wild cherry trees, including the original species of cherry trees, grow in four areas of Shimosenbon, Nakasenbon, Kamisenbon, and Okusenbon. It blooms sequently in order from bottom to the top of the mountain from early to late April. It’s a spectacular and overwhelming view that the mountain is going to be covered with the cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see.
Spot Information
| Name | Mt.Yoshino(吉野山) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April – Late April | |
| Address | Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara, Japan |
15. Koriyama Castle Park / Nara
photo by photo2013.info
Koriyama Castle Park(郡山城址公園) is a park established at the site of Koriyama Castle Ruins and about 1000 Someiyoshino cherry trees are planted around the moats of the castle. In spring, the castle ruins will be filled with a variety of beautiful cherry blossoms and illuminated with paper lanterns in the evening.
Spot Information
| Name | Koriyama Castle Park(郡山城址公園) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | Jonai-cho, Yamato-koriyama City, Nara, Japan |
16. Kimiidera Temple / Wakayama
Kimiidera Temple(紀三井寺) had founded around 770 by a Chinese priest. Early blooming cherry trees are planted in the temple and announces the arrival of the spring in the Kansai region. There are roughly 500 cherry trees such as Someiyoshino and Yamazakura blooming elegantly at their best. Cherry blossoms will match finely with vermilion two-storied pagoda and a bell tower, creating a wonderful scenery throughout the temple.
Spot Information
| Name | Kimiidera Temple(紀三井寺) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama, Japan |
17. Negoro-ji Temple / Wakayama
Negoro-ji Temple(根来寺) is located at the southern foot of Katsuragi Mountain Range in the northern part of Wakayama. There are various kinds of cherry trees such as Yamazakura, Someiyoshino, Shidarezakura, and Botanzakura planted within the temple. Totally 7000 cherry trees blooms simultaneously in spring, covering the entire temple with cherry pink flowers. Large pagoda, a national treasure, and large gate will be lit up at night and visitors will enjoy a subtle and profound beauty of the scenery.
Spot Information
| Name | Negoro-ji Temple(根来寺) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | 2286 Negoro, Iwade City, Wakayama, Japan |
18. Shichikawa dam Lake / Wakayama
Shichikawa dam(七川ダム), completed in 1955, is located in mountainous region of the southern area of Wakayama. There are roughly 3000 Someiyoshino cherry trees planted over 5km around the lake. Visitors will enjoy a spectacular view, creating by the cherry blossoms best matched with the green of the surrounding trees and deep blue water of the lake.
Spot Information
| Name | Shichikawa dam Lake(七川ダム) | |
| Best Viewing | Late March – Early April | |
| Address | Sada, Kozagawa-cho, Wakayama, Japan |
19. Mitake / Mie
There are about 500 Yama-zakura cherry trees lined up over 1.5km on both sides of a road from Ise-honkaido road to the approach to the Shinpukuin temple. During the flowering season, hundreds of Yama-zakura cherry trees along the road will create the beautiful cherry pink tunnel, expanding a lovely landscape against the background of adjacent terraced rice fields.
Spot Information
| Name | Mitake(三多気) | |
| Best Viewing | Mid-April | |
| Address | Mitake, Misugi-cho, Tsu City, Mie, Japan |
20. Miyagawa Riverbank / Mie
Miyagawa river flows in the northwest of Ise Jingu (Geku) located in Ise city of Mie, and there is a row of cherry trees at the bank of Miyagawa river, which has been highly popular sight of cherry blossom since old times known familiarly as “Sakura-no-watashi”(literally ferry-boat of cherry blossoms to go to Ise Jingu) . A thousand of cherry trees such as Someiyoshino and Yama-zakura are lined up over 1km on the dike of the river bed and this area is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers during the flowering season.
Spot Information
| Name | Miyagawa Riverbank(宮川堤) | |
| Best Viewing | Early April | |
| Address | Miyagawa – Nakajima, Ise City, Mie, Japan |
