Want to experience Hanami in Japan? There are so many incredible places you can go depending on where you are in the country!
Every island of Japan will have special locations you can go to experience the very best that Hanami has to offer.
However, if you are going to be in the north of the main island of Okinawa, a great place to go would be Sendai!
To find out more about Hanami and the top spots to go in Sendai at this time of year, keep reading! We will cover everything you need to know about this magical time of year in the area.
What Is Hanami?
Hanami is the wonderful Japanese tradition of viewing flowers (see also ‘10 Reasons To Get Excited About Hanami‘). In most cases, this refers to the stunning cherry blossoms that the country is famous for.
Occasionally, however, it will also include plum blossoms!
This tradition takes place at the end of March through to the beginning of May in most places.
On the island of Okinawa, however, the celebration will happen as early as the very beginning of February.
During this time, tourism is booming and both foreigners and locals alike spend lots of time outdoors to enjoy the views.
ou will often see swathes of people having picnics and enjoying the sunshine around the country – it’s a truly magical time of year.
Some places are known for their Hanami celebrations, though (see also ‘A Comprehensive Guide To Hosting The Best Hanami Party‘). Locations like Yoshino in Kansai might be the best location to visit, but if you’re on the northern end of Honshu, you might want something a little closer!
In this case, Sendai would be the perfect place to visit to get some magnificent views of the cherry blossoms.
5 Cool Places To Celebrate Hanami In Sendai
Tsutsujigaoka Park
Location address: 1 Chome-３０１-３外 Gorin, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 983-0842, Japan
Best time of year to visit: from early April to early May
At Tsutsujigaoka Park, you can experience the magic of the weeping cherry trees like nowhere else. Located in central Sendai, this park is lined with these beautiful trees on either side of the path.
It’s impossible not to immediately fall in love with this place the moment you see it. It’s picturesque, but you can expect it to be busy, too!
Some of the trees blossom earlier than others, but there is plenty to go around, and doesn’t take away from the magic.
This spot is accessible, as it’s only a 20 minutes walk from Sendai Station, and there is plenty to do. Unsurprisingly, the most popular option is photography – we’ll leave you to figure out why!
What makes this location special: the weeping cherry trees make this location unlike any other.
Nishi Park
Location address: Sakuragaokapark, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0823 Miyagi Prefecture
Best time of year to visit: late March to the middle of April
Located in downtown Sendai, Nishi park is another location that really offers something special to visitors. It is one of the most iconic spots in the area, and even has an organized festival every year in the middle of April.
Here, you will notice that the cherry trees are decorated with beautiful Japanese paper lanterns. This is done to create the perfect atmosphere for celebrations and picnics, not to mention a perfect spot for photography!
You don’t need to worry about going hungry here, either, as there are plenty of great food stalls in the area. There, you can try all the local delicacies and favorites, so you won’t be left wanting for anything.
While visiting, you will also get the chance to enjoy the spring vistas and wander around the park. You can also experience Yozakura – the night cherry blossoms. All you need to do is head to the park and stay until nightfall.
The paper lanterns will light up the area and make you feel like you are in a fairy tale. It’s a magical sight, and the sense of community is unlike anything you will have experienced before.
Don’t settle for a simple picnic while you’re there, either. There are plenty of great walkways to explore and foods to try. It would be a shame to miss out!
What makes this location special: besides the obvious, such as the incredible cherry blossoms and food, this location has something special.
The Yozakura event allows you to witness the blossoms by lantern-light and be pulled into the magic of spring like nowhere else.
Shiroishi Riverside
Location address: Oya, Ogawara-machi, Shibata-gun, Miyagi
Best time of year to visit: late March and early April
With scenery that changes with the seasons, this location already looks and feels magical. This location is just on the outskirts of the city of Sendai. To get there, you only need to get a 30-minute train from Sendai!
This Shiroishi Riverside location is a specific stretch of the river that spans around 8 kilometers. Close to 1,200 beautiful cherry trees line the banks, planted there many years ago.
Then they bloom, the whole riverside is turned into shades of pink you could only imagine.
Walking along the river, it’s hard not to notice the jaw-dropping scenery around you. In the distance, Mount Zao’s tall, snow-capped summit towers in the sky, and the river stretches out before you.
Just stop by Hitome Senbonzakura to enjoy the full experience – that’s the name of the exact spot.
Unlike some other locations on this list, Shiroishi Riverside doesn’t offer restaurants or historical buildings. Instead, it offers something raw – natural beauty.
What makes this location special: this cherry blossom location has three stunning features – the cherry blossoms, the river, and a stunning mountain range!
As a result, you probably couldn’t find a better and more tranquil spot to enjoy the celebrations. It’s also the perfect spot if you want to take some awe-inspiring photos.
Mikamine Park
Location address: 1 Chome Mikamine, Taihaku Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 982-0826, Japan
Best time of year to visit: early and late April
Mikamine Park is known as the top spot for families to check out in the springtime. There are stunning walkways and dozens of perfect spots to stop and admire the blossoms. It’s a great spot to set up for a picnic and soak up the sunshine all day.
Getting a taxi here from the Nagasaki Miami Subway Station is the best option, as there are no direct buses. If you want to walk, be prepared for it to take 30 minutes, if not more!
What makes this location special: this park is family-friendly and boats of several cherry tree species, including the weeping variety!
Saigyo Modoshi No Matsu Park
Location address: Inuta-2 Matsushima, Miyagi District, Miyagi 981-0213, Japan
Best time of year to visit: middle of April to early May
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park is a stunning location to visit in the springtime. Here, you will get a panoramic view of the aye-inspiring Matsushima Bay and take in the cherry blossoms all around you.
Coming here, you will want for nothing, and you won’t be able to take your eyes off your magical surroundings.
This location is a mountainside park within Matsushima town and will feel like it has come straight out of a fairy tale. There are over 250 cherry trees planted on the slopes to draw in visitors, turning the park into a beautiful shade of pink every year.
Although this location hasn’t got as many cherry trees as some others on this list, the bay really sets it apart and gives you something more to look forward to.
What makes this location special: the mountainside location of this park makes this a unique option. It has wonderful views of the bay below, and feels like a small slice of paradise to visitors in the spring.
Bonus Location – Shiogama Shrine
Location address: 1-1 Ichimoriyama, Shiogama, Miyagi 985-8510, Japan
Best time of year to visit: late April to early May
We couldn’t make a list of the top spots for Hanami in Sendai without mentioning Shiogama Shrine (see also ‘10 Best Locations For Hanami‘).
This spot is just outside the city of Sendai, just a 30-minute train ride. It’s easy to get to, and is a location that you simply couldn’t regret visiting.
Shiogama Shrine is an important and beautiful cultural treasure, and is something that everyone should see, even if it isn’t Hanami! It’s thought to be over 1,200 years old, and has over 300 old cherry trees on the grounds.
Not only that, but there are even 30 kinds of cherry trees to enjoy!
When the peak season comes around, it’s hard to miss. Even the locals say that no Hanami celebration is complete without paying a visit to the shrine in the area.
Since it’s only a 10-minute walk from Hon-Shiogama Station, that makes perfect sense.
Make sure this location is on your must-see spots in the springtime – you will love every moment of it.
What makes this location special: as the only shrine listed on this article, that alone sets it apart from the rest! This 1,200 year old shrine makes a wonderful backdrop for the sakura trees, creating wonderful photography opportunities and a magical feeling.
Final Thoughts
Now you know of all the top spots to visit in Sendai in the spring. Hopefully you can get out there and make the most of this magical time of year!
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!
- 16 Best Websites To Watch Japanese Movies With English Subtitles - May 11, 2023
- Is ZIPAIR The Best Airline For Traveling To Japan? - May 11, 2023
- Ryu Murakami Vs Haruki Murakami – Which One Should You Read? - May 11, 2023
Related Posts:
