The top 10 places to view cherry blossoms in Japan are Chidori-ga-fuchi, Nara park, Ueno park, Matsue Castle, Himeji castle, Osaka castle, Shibazakura festival, Mitaki-dera temple, Sakura-no-yama park and Shinjuku gyoen. During spring, cherry blossoms start blooming in the south and spread up to northern hokkaido from March to April. These pink flowers are an icon of Japan and are celebrated by festivals and hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties).
The cherry blossom-lined path created from a filled-in moat is a must-see at the former Edo Castle and current Imperial Palace A moat built to surround Edo Castle during the age of the Tokugawa shoguns. Currently, it encircles the Imperial Palace. When the cherry blossoms of Chidori-ga-fuchi open en masse, it’s enough to forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
The moat surrounding the Imperial Palace is a famous place for cherry blossoms. This area has a moat which surrounds the Imperial Palace. Part of the moat resembles the shape of a plover (chidori) which is the reason behind the name of Chidori-ga-fuchi. During the Edo Era which lasted from the 17th century to the latter half of the 19th century, there was Edo Castle where the shoguns lived, which is now the Imperial Palace. To prevent invasion by foreign enemies and to secure drinking water for Edo, a moat was constructed by damming up a ri...
Come and meet friendly deer at Nara Park and its many World Heritage sites There are numerous World Heritage sites in this park at the base of the lush green mountains, such as Todaiji, Kofukiji and Kasuga-taisha. Friendly deer, which are said to be messengers from the gods, will come to greet you.
Nara Park is located in the center of Nara Ever since the capital moved to Nara in the year 710, people have loved this location for the many historical cultural properties found here, and for the historical feel of the area and its climate. On the massive 660-hectare site of Nara Park in the center of Nara, you will find such World Heritage sites as Todaiji, Kofukiji, and Kasuga-taisha, as well as the Nara National Museum, which houses a number of National Treasures, including works of Buddhist art. The many ponds create a beautiful scene amo...
A park filled with cherry trees where you can enjoy museums, a zoo and boat-riding Ueno Park, a place also of culture and art, where you can see popular art presentations and other exhibitions of note. Not only can you enjoy the turning of the seasons here, but you can also tour some important historical buildings.
Experience history as well as culture in nature What makes Ueno Park special is that it is not just simply a park; you can experience history, science, and culture, and you can also spend time with animals. The park was originally part of the grounds of Kaneiji temple but was designated as one of the earliest public parks in Japan in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). The park started out mainly as a place for viewing Kaneiji temple, Toshogu shrine and their cherry blossom trees. Subsequently, facilities were built one by one, including muse...
Business hours - Everyday (5:00 AM ~ 11:00 PM ) Phone 03-3828-5644 Website en.wikipedia.org
The existing keep of the castle has been nationally designated as an Important Cultural Property. The simple yet sturdy construction brings presence. There are many ways to admire the castle from its interior which was designed for war, the 360-degree panoramic view from the top floor, to the Horikawa Passage with its small boats and the ability to view cherry blossoms as one of Japan’s Top 100 Places for Cherry Blossoms.
The original castle which was built for warfare remains even today Within Japan, there are only 12 castles whose keeps survive today. Among those 12, Matsue Castle is the only one in the San’in region. It is also the 2nd-largest, 3rd-tallest and the 6th-oldest castle. Every part of the interior was designed for battle. Naturally, there are ishiotoshi areas to throw rocks which are hidden from the enemy, but there are also tsukeyagura (attached towers) that were built intricately to resemble attics for defense and monitoring. Underground...
Business hours - Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM ) Phone 0852-21-4030 Price - Adult: 560 JPY - Child: 280 JPY High school students and older pay adult admission Website en.wikipedia.org
A World Heritage site castle whose beautiful exterior has an amazing presence A valuable castle that has survived into the present day from the early Edo Era, Himeji Castle has been admired as the most beautiful castle in Japan. It is famous as one of the three great castles in the nation.
A castle with 400 years of history as Japan’s first World Heritage site, Himeji Castle is famous for having been recognized as a National Treasure and an Important Cultural Property due to its beauty among the numerous castles in Japan and its keep (the largest central structure on the castle grounds) that has retained its appearance from the Edo Era. Having been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the first time that Japan had been given this honor. Due to its pure white exterior and the surrounding area where many wild b...
The temple of more than 300 serenely standing stone Buddha statues is located close to downtown Hiroshima You are enveloped by the deep serenity of the stone Buddha on the mountainside, becoming one with nature. Known as a famous place for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, an old residence has been refurbished as a popular teahouse with a calm atmosphere.
A temple to enjoy the serenity despite its proximity to downtown By car, it is only a 10-minute drive from the core of the city of Hiroshima. Located in a deep mountain valley, Mitaki-dera Temple is on the side of Mt. Mitaki and has a quiet air about it, although it is close to the downtown area. The temple grounds which have a grand view of the city are in the form of a garden, and on the sando path to the temple, there are stone Buddha statues and tanka inscriptions which look out for the worshipers. The 3 waterfalls which flow within the gr...
Pink shibazakura (moss phlox) spreads all over behind Mt. Fuji. Go and see this scenery only seen in spring. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival held annually from April to June is an event only in the spring where you can walk among the scenery of 800,000 blossoms of shibazakura. The towering sight of Mt. Fuji beyond this carpet of flowers is impressive. Fields of pink blossoms spreading at the foot of Mt. Fuji During spring at Fuji Five Lakes where beautiful flowers bloom, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held during the peak season when the blossoms are at their most beautiful between April and June. Famous in the metropolitan areas for the largest landscape of blossoms with about 800,000 shibazakura and Mt. Fuji, still covered in snow, creating a beautiful ridge line in the background, the sight of shibazakura blooming everywhere is impressive. In addition, the three sceneries of the pink...
Business hours - Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM ) Between April and May Check the official page. Phone 0555-89-3031 Price - Adult: 600 JPY - Child: 250 JPY Website www.shibazakura.jp
Enjoy nature in the middle of the city at Tokyo’s version of Central Park The term gyoen refers to a garden for the Imperial family. Only a 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station (South Exit), this quiet and lush garden is loved by many who head there to take a break from the city and indulge in some relaxation.
More about Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen was originally created as a garden specifically for the Imperial family. The Old Western-style Imperial Rest House was build for recreation and guests of the family, and was designated as an Important Cultural Property. Shinjuku Gyoen boasts a size of 58 hectares and consists of 3 types of gardens: English Landscape Garden known for its spacious and flat lawns, French Formal Garden with sycamore trees and Japanese Traditional Garden with a central pond. Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen...
A spectacular viewing spot for airplanes! Also, ideal for taking photos of spring cherry blossoms. A perfect location that is known as “Plane-Spotting Hill”. Used for filming of programs such as TV dramas, it has also been selected as one of The Top 100 Views of Chiba. You can view flowers throughout the four seasons and get a close-up of plane's Sakura-no-Yama of Narita City is a park situated on a small hill to the north of a 4000-meter runway at Narita Airport. It’s popular for being able to see the departure and arrival of airplanes at close range. You can also enjoy the rare sights of seeing the moment when the tires of a plane at takeoff tuck into the fuselage, with the white steam coming off the wings. You will feel like cheering when the plane goes over your head as it roars by. It’s also...
