Whereas the nation has 1000’s of sakura spots, these are a number of the finest – together with underrated cities you’ll be able to enterprise to, if you wish to keep away from the crowds and even catch them as late as in Could – and when you must plan to go.
1. Yoshinoyama, Nara
It’s laborious to discover a cherry blossom “finest record” that doesn’t have Mt Yoshino close to the very prime. This mountain vary, within the coronary heart of Nara prefecture, has been Japan’s most well-known cherry-blossom viewing spot for hundreds of years. What makes this web site particular is its geography: Greater than 30,000 cherry timber are planted on a north-facing mountain slope that’s residence to temples, parks and a reasonably village. This implies ascending the slope’s 4 areas – the Shimo Senbon (decrease), Naka Senbon (center), Kami Senbon (higher) and Oku Senbon (internal) – comes with attention-grabbing actions alongside the way in which. Like stopping in at Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine, the place it’s stated you can see 1,000 cherry timber without delay, or having fun with a picnic on the well-liked Naka Senbon Park. These with sufficient stamina can journey as much as Hanayagura Observatory (an hour’s hike up the mountain) to get pleasure from a panoramic view of Yoshinoyama.
*Greatest viewing dates: Late March to early April
2. Ueno Park, Tokyo
In the event you’re going to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, chances are you’ll as nicely go all out and hit Ueno Park. Come spring, the 54ha park in Tokyo turns into the epicentre of a crowded, noisy and wild hanami social gathering. The central path is lined with about 800 cherry timber, and each side are crammed with revellers letting their hair down for his or her annual picnic below the blooms. Tip: to ensure your spot, get there early within the morning, lay out your mat and ensure certainly one of you stays there till the whole group arrives. Apart from picnicking, there’s lots extra to do in Japan’s first government-designated park: 4 main museums and a zoo are positioned on the grounds, in addition to an expansive pond that provides boat leases. All this may certainly see you thru till dusk when 1,000 lanterns strung up all through the park will mild up the sky for magical yozakura – night-time sakura viewing.
*Greatest viewing dates: Late March to early April
3. Japan Mint, Osaka
It’s selection reasonably than sheer abundance that distinguishes the cherry-blossom expertise at Osaka Mint Bureau. Round 130 varieties are crammed into the 560m-long pathway that snakes via the gorgeous backyard of the Japan Mint headquarters. Whereas frequent cherry blossoms have solely 5 petals, the Mint is known for its double-blossom varieties, which might have 20, 50, even 100 petals per flower, making for extremely lush blooms that drip from the timber. The gates to the cherry backyard are opened to most people for just one week in mid-April, so the occasion may be very well-liked. However even with the crowds – which often surpass 800,000 guests – strolling beneath a cover of blossoms, with the stately brick Meiji-era Mint Museum on one aspect and the glowing waters of the Yodo River on the opposite, is nicely value it.
*Dates for the occasion differ yearly, so verify the Japan Mint web site in mid-March for updates. Greatest viewing dates: Mid-April
4. Kakunodate, Tohoku
See the sudden collision of gorgeous cherry blossoms with historic samurai tradition on this quiet riverside city. Right this moment, Kakunodate is the most effective place in Japan to see samurai structure, with quite a few superbly preserved residences open to the general public. Certainly, it was the samurai households who initially introduced cherry timber to the city from Kyoto, and towering weeping cherry blossoms can nonetheless be seen across the outdated samurai homes, most of that are surrounded by darkish black fences with spectacular gates. The Hinokinai River, bordering Kakunodate’s southern aspect, is one other prime sakura spot with 2km of cherry timber making a tunnel of flowers alongside its banks. Along with the timber, you’ll be able to take a look at the Sakura Matsuri competition, which options meals stalls alongside the river and a night illumination occasion within the Samurai District.
*Greatest viewing dates: Mid-April
5. Hirosaki Fort, Aomori
Whereas cherry blossoms are good, cherry blossoms plus a Seventeenth-century fortress are even higher. Hirosaki Fort, on the tip of Japan’s primary island of Honshu, is allegedly the nation’s hottest sakura-viewing spot, drawing greater than two million guests yearly. And it’s not laborious to see why. The fortress grounds just about cowl the entire cherry-blossom hit parade: 1000’s of timber (greater than 2,600), views of snow-capped mountains, cherry-blossom tunnels, petal-filled moats, boats that may be rented to drift romantically via the moats, and evening illumination occasions. All these set towards the beautiful backdrop of a wonderful white fortress full with gates, turrets and a fortified moat. And if that’s not sufficient, the fortress park additionally boasts Japan’s oldest cherry tree of the Yoshino selection, which was planted in 1882. A good time to go to is throughout the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Competition, when volunteer guides are readily available to steer excursions, and a whole bunch of meals stalls are open to the general public. Examine the competition’s web site for subsequent 12 months’s dates.
*Greatest viewing dates: Late April to early Could
Underrated cities to think about
Dreading the crowds? Lodges.com suggests heading to those stunning cities in Japan as an alternative.
The place: Chitose
When: Could
Folks often go via Chitose to its neighbouring sights and not using a second thought. However for many who are prepared to take a fast cease, you’ll be amazed on the works of nature, beautified by the sight of sakura.
The place: Otaru
When: Could
Keep in a quaint harbour metropolis simply half an hour away from Sapporo by practice. Benefit from the websites on the canal space and go to the well-known Nikka Whisky Distillery to get a style of distinctive Japanese whisky. And naturally, see cherry blossoms blooming throughout.
The place: Sendai
When: April
Mikamine Park, Tsutsujigaoka Park and Nishi Park are simply a number of the stunning parks in Sendai to roam round for cherry blossoms.
SEE ALSO: Japan off the crushed monitor: 5 lesser-known methods to discover the nation
The place: Kanazawa
When: April
Within the day, go to the Kanazawa Fort for Instagram-worthy sakura views, and within the night, take a stroll via Omicho Market to style some native Japanese meals.
The place: Hakuba
When: April
This is among the hottest ski areas in Japan, so you’ll be able to go to certainly one of a number of ski resorts for a day of snowboarding after taking in the picturesque sakura views.
– TEXT BY CARLA AVOLIO
PHOTOS: 123RF.COM, SUPPLIED
This text was initially printed by Singapore Press Holdings.
