Hanami is the Japanese celebration of flower viewing – specifically, the cherry (or plum) blossoms! This always happens in the early spring around the country, and pulls tourists in from all around the world.
There are hundreds of stunning locations around Japan to visit if you want to join in the celebrations. Today, we are going to go through 10 of the best spots you can visit if you really want to experience the magic of spring.
If you choose to visit these places in the springtime, you can expect some amazing sights. It’s something you will never regret, even if it is busy.
Chidorigafuchi is considered to be one of Tokyo’s best spots if you like to take stunning photographs. Here, there are over 1,000 cherry trees and one incredible backdrop – the Imperial Palace!
You will see a 700-meter-long footpath that goes around the area, offering spectacular views and unforgettable memories. It’s a busy spot, especially at night thanks to the illuminated blossoms, but worth every effort.
Boats are available to rent in the spring when the cherry blossoms are drawing people in to help accommodate everyone. Even from the water, you will fall in love with the area.
You can rent a boat for 30 minutes for just 800 yen, or 1 hour for 1,600 yen starting from 9 am and ending at 8:30pm.
Location address: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan
Come springtime, Matsumoto Castle becomes the location of a fairy tale. This popular spot allows visitors to walk around the grounds and nearby park, soaking in the sunshine and views of the cherry blossoms.
Somei yoshino cherry trees line the castle’s outer moat in the hundreds. This gives visitors stunning views as soon as they begin blooming (usually in April).
Matsumoto Castle has always been a popular spot for Hanami celebrations, so you shouldn’t go there expecting to have the place to yourself!
Luckily, the castle is just a 15-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station. Alternatively, you can take a bus and enjoy the 5-minute journey on the “Town Sneaker” Northern Course bus loop line.
Location address: 1-1 Honmaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0031, Japan
Unsurprisingly, we have another castle! Nagoya Castle ranks in Japan’s three greatest castles, and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s beautiful year-round, but in the springtime, something magical happens.
Around 1,000 cherry trees are scattered around the castle grounds, creating something that looks like it comes straight from a children’s book.
There are dozens of species, including the fan-favorite weeping cherry! This adds a flair of drama to the space, while still adding some stunning color.
One of these trees, the Gyoiko, is another famous one – because it has green blooms! No matter what kind of cherry tree you love, this location is bound to become one of your new favorite Hanami spots.
It costs 500 yen to access the site, but it’s easy to get to and one you should try your best to see.
This spot is known for its stunning, natural landscape. In the spring, Arashiyama’s beauty is only elevated by the dozens of cherry trees that line the river.
When paired with Kyoto’s spectacular mountains as a backdrop, this location turns into another unmissable location.
This surreal scape also gives visitors the option to ride on rickshaws or hop on the Sagano Romantic Train to get better views. You’ll get to appreciate some rustic views of the nearby mountains and take a moment to breathe away from the business of life.
It’s just a 15-minute walk to reach central Arashiyama after a 15-minute train ride on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto. Once you have had your fill of the scenery, you can move to nearby Nijo Castle for even more views!
This passageway in Osaka is an unmissable option if you want to experience the magic of Hanami. Here, you get to follow an incredible passage of cherry blossoms, transporting you into another world entirely.
You will have to be fast, though, as this passageway is only open at certain times of the year! This is usually in the middle of April, but dates may vary from year to year.
The passageway is open from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm, giving you plenty of time to walk the 560-meter path at any point. It’s easy to get to as it’s a 15-minute walk from Osakajo-Kitazume Station or JR Osaka-Temmangu Station.
Nara park is famous for its friendly deer, but if that isn’t enough to get you to visit, the cherry blossoms should be! In the spring, these cherry blossoms create a sea of pink that you just can’t miss.
With more than 1,700 of these cherry blossom trees on the slopes, Nara park becomes a magical palace to visit. The best part is that it is so easy to get to, and is just 5 minutes away from Kintetsu Station.
Be sure to bring your cameras to get some shots of the area, and its wonderful inhabitants.
Location address: 1-4 Jonai, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0043, Japan
Castles hold a magical property to them, as shown by the number of castles we’ve included in our list! This castle was once the largest castle in the region back in its heyday. However, it has dwindled over the years and is now but a shell of its former glory.
Even now, however, this castle is still worth visiting – especially in the spring. It’s one of the city’s most popular spots, so you can always expect a crowd when you visit.
While you’re there, you can also enjoy the surrounding park with over 1,000 cherry trees. It’s common for visitors to rent kimonos for the day to immerse themselves in the beauty and culture.
Location address: Japan, 〒064-0959 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Miyagaoka, ３
With over 150 cherry trees, this spot is another great location to stop by if you’re in the area. Here, the cherry trees typically blossom in late April or even early May – later than many other places!
There are also several species of trees to enjoy, including the favorite weeping and Sargent types.
Thanks to this, you can expect to enjoy a variety of colors when you’re walking the grounds. This also means that there will be a lot of birds in the area, since they love the fruit! There are both cherry and plum blossoms here.
If you choose to stop by, don’t forget to indulge in the Mongolian-style barbecues the area is famous for! Try the Genghis Khan lamb if you can – you’re bound to love it.
Location address: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a place of elegance, and one that you don’t want to miss out on in the spring! Here, there are three types of gardens: Japanese landscape garden, English landscape garden, and a French garden!
Of course, if you’re visiting in the spring, the main attraction is going to be the awe-inspiring cherry trees on the land.
There are a wide variety of cherry tree species, all offering something unique and beautiful, too. In fact, there are thought to be a whopping 68 types!
Thanks to that, you can expect to see a range of colors and appearances when you’re wandering through the gardens. The best part is that it’s just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station! You can be there in no time to take in the sights.
Location address: 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8356, Japan
Finally, we have the awe-inspiring Hirosaki Castle. There are roughly 2,600 cherry trees in the area, and some of them are more than 300 years old!
Here, you can expect to enjoy over 50 types of cherry trees with their own unique colors and appearances – as if it couldn’t get any better!
The trees line the waterside, dropping blossoms into it and turning the river pink. As far as magical experiences go, this is hard to beat.
If you want to have an experience you will never forget, take a walk around the area at night. The trees are illuminated by lights that will transport you into another dimension.
This will look like something out of a fairy tale, and it’s not something you will want to miss. Don’t forget to take your camera to make unforgettable memories.
Final Thoughts
There are hundreds of incredible locations to visit if you want the best views for Hanami. However, if you have to pick, let it be one of the above options! Hirosaki Castle will be the most magical option you could imagine, but every location is special.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
