A 370-year-old cherry tree from the Edo Period which blooms beautifully with Yatsugatake and the Southern Japanese Alps in the background. A single cherry tree that colors the magnificent view in sublime shades of spring. A beautiful scene on the level of being a natural monument and treasure of Yamanashi Prefecture.
See the fantastic blossoms of Japan’s oldest cherry tree, which is 2000 years old and one the of the three great cherry trees of Japan. The blossoms are also in exquisite harmony with the snow-draped Southern Alps, daffodils, and tulips.
Shosenkyo Kanazakura Shrine Annual Spring Festival
When at their peak in mid-April, around 500 cherry blossom trees of various varieties bloom in the area surrounding Kanazakura Shrine within “Shosenkyo”, said to be the best ravine in Japan. Along with the familiar pink cherry blossoms you can also see the large, pale-yellow flowers of the ukon-zakura variety of tree. Come and experience a slightly different type of cherry blossom viewing while listening to the sounds of the river.
Season: Late April–early May
Kiyoharu Art Colony
A beautiful row of cherry trees that bloom accompanied by Parisian scenery and in harmony with Mount Kaikoma of the Southern Japanese Alps before your eyes. Designated as a natural monument of Yamanashi Prefecture.
Nagano, Tateshina
Takato Sakura Festival
Long called the “world’s best cherry blossoms”, roughly 1500 cherry trees bloom within Takato Castle Park. One of the cherry blossom spots that represents Nagano Prefecture.
Season: Early–mid-April
Ueda Castle Thousand Cherry Blossom Festival
Come and enjoy the Thousand Cherry Tree Festival at Nagano Prefecture’s Ueda Castle, built by famous Warring States era commander Sanada Masayuki. Along with seeing the beautiful sight of roughly one thousand cherry trees, including those of the Yoshino, weeping, and ukon-zakura varieties, seemingly bury Ueno castle within their petals, you can also try wearing Sanada army armor, and partake in Sanada ninja-troop ninja training for free as well.
Season: Early–mid-April
Nagano, Azumino
Cherry Blossom at Matsumoto Castle
Centered around the castle tower of Nagano Prefecture’s Matsumoto Castle, one of the Four Great Castles of Japan, cherry blossoms bloom within Honmaru and Chuo Parks and along the walkway that traces the moat. The moat’s beautiful path of cherry trees is lit up, enveloping the jet black Matsumoto Castle in beautiful light.
Season: Mid–late April
Shizuoka, Izu-Kogen
Izu-Kogen Cherry Blossom Festival
Come and see a fantastic 3-kilometer tunnel created by Ookan-zakura cherry trees that can only be seen in Izu, famous resort and birthplace of Yasunari Kawabata’s 1926 short story “The Dancing Girl of Izu”. Furthermore, once you pass through the tunnel, 1500 cherry trees of 40 different varieties bloom one after another, coloring the area pink in Spring.
Be sure to see the 800 Kawazu cherry trees that blossom alongside the rape-flowers that line the roughly 4-kilometer stretch between Kawazu Station on the Izu Express Line and the main area beside the Izu river. From 6 PM every night the rows of cherry trees, along with famous trees, are lit up.
Enjoy both cherry blossoms and tulips at this famous spring location chosen as one of Japan’s 1000 flower viewing scenes. Several types of cherry trees grow here, and the spot is highly recommended for the spring colors of Lake Hamana.
Located in the heart of Hamamatsu City, Hamamatsu Castle Park is surrounded by rich greenery. The park surrounds Hamamatsu Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is filled with color by around 340 cherry trees. During the festival period you can also enjoy night-time viewings by the light of the park lanterns until 9:00 PM.
Enjoy some bright spring time while viewing the approximately 200 cherry trees that bloom along the truly Edo style Isuzu River. After enjoying the blossoms, head to Okage Yokocho to relax and feel as though you have slipped back in time.
