The central region of Japan’s main island, Chubu is the mountainous hinterland that predominantly serves as a passage between the economic centers of Kanto and Kansai. Stay for a while and enjoy some of the country’s most scenic natural landscapes, including, Mount Fuji, painted pink during the sakura season.,
Chubu
Aichi (March 21 ~)
Tsuruma Park
At Tsuruma Park, you can enjoy sakura trees in two ways, strolling around Ryugaike-pond to see the sakura beautifully reflected in the water’s surface or heading to the fountain tower – the most popular area to see the blossoms lit up during the night.
Get there
Train: Near JR Tsuruma Station / Subway Tsuruma Line Tsuruma Station
Car: 5 min from Nagoya Highway Fukiage Nishi(West)/ Higashi(East) IC
Shizuoka (March 20 ~)
Fuji Reien Cemetery
This 2.1 million meter square burial park has plenty of room (and parking) for visitors in spring come to hanami beneath the 8,000 sakura trees. Enjoy a long stroll through the pink tunnel along the approach to the park.
Get there
Train: A bus bound for Reien operating from JR Gotemba Station / JR Suruga-oyama Station (Free on weekdays)
Car: 45 min from Toumei Highway Gotemba IC
Sakura no sato
A huge variety of over 3,000 sakura trees (40 different types) are planted throughout this enormous park. Visit the park anytime between the end of September until May and you can always see some types of sakura blooming. But the best season is, of course, at the beginning of April.
Get there
Train: 40 min by bus from JR Ito Station to Shaboten Koen Mae Station, followed by 5 min walk.
Car: 2 hrs from Toumei Highway Atsugi IC
Gifu (March 25 ~)
Kamagatani
With the advent of spring, many different types of sakura trees here start to bloom at the same time. When you look at them from far away, it looks as if there were a pink fog covering the entire area. Hence, Kamagatani to mean “a foggy cave”.
Get there
Train: 30 min walk from Yoro Railway Ikeno Station
Car: 50 min from Meishin Highway Ogaki IC
Usuzumi Park
Said to have been planted by Emperor Keitai about 1,500 years ago, the sakura trees here are pink when they are still buds, white when they blossom, then turning greyish when they are about to fall. Designated as a natural monument by the government, many of the trees reach up to 16 meters tall.
Get there
Train: 15 min walk from Tarumi Subway Tarumi Station
Car: 1 hr 20 min from Meishin Highway Ogaki IC
Shin-sakai River
Along the Shin-sakai River more than 1,200 sakura trees have been planted to create a beautiful sakura tunnel. The trees are named “Hyakujurou Sakura” after the famous kabuki actor who donated them, Ichikawa Hyakujurou, who was born in the area.
Get there
Train: 10 min walk from JR Naka Station
Car: 5 min from Tokai Hokuriku-dou Gifu / Kakamigahara IC
Fukui (March 25 ~)
Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Castle’s architectural style is considered to be the oldest of all the currently existing castle towers in Japan. Bask in the seriously enchanting view of around 400 cherry trees in spring, lit by more than 300 lanterns.
Get there
Train: 30 min by bus from JR Fukui Station to Hon-maruoka Station followed by 10 min walk.
Car: 5 min from Hokuriku-dou Maruoka IC
Asuwa Park
A perfect location for a relaxing stroll underneath the 3,500 or so sakura trees, there’s more entertainment at the Asuwa Koen Amusement Park, including a field athletics area as well as a mini zoo and botanic gardens.
Get there
Train: 10 min by bus from JR Fukui Station to Koen-shita Station / 15 min walk from JR Fukui Station
Car: 15 min from Hokuriku-dou Fukui IC
Ishikawa (March 28 ~)
Kenrokuen
Officially designated as a place of special scenic beauty, Kenrokuen is counted as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan” along with Mito Kairaku-en and Okayama Kourakuen. A guaranteed gorgeous spot to hanami.
Get there
Train: 15 min by bus to Kenrokuen Shita Station from JR Kanagawa Station
Car: 30 min from Hokuriku-dou Kanazawa Nishi IC / 20 min from Hokuriku-dou Kanazawa Morimoto IC
Toyama (March 29 ~)
Takaoka Castle Park
Takaoka Castle and its grounds were opened to public during the Meiji Era as a park. 30% of the park is made up of moats, which create the magic effect of sakura reflected on the water surface. Boat cruises are the best way to experience it.
Get there
Train: 15 min walk from JR Takaoka Station / 10 min walk from JR Ecchu Nakagawa Station
Car: 15 min via (Kokudou, national highway 8) Nouetsu-dou Takaoka IC
Yamanashi (March 22 ~)
Kawaguchi Lake
Cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and matsuri. The Japan of your imagination comes to life at Kawaguchi Lake in the spring.
Get there
Take the bus from Fuji Express Line Kawaguchiko station, get off at Sarumawashi Gekijo Konohana Bijutsukan Mae
Nagano (April 7 ~)
Takato Castle Ruins
The 1,500 cherry blossom trees here have led some to name this park as host to the world’s best cherry blossoms, famed for their vivid color. The only way to find out is to see it yourself.
Get there
Take the bus from JR Inashi station, 15 mins walk from Takato stop
Niigata (April 7 ~)
Takada Park
Photo by: Cara Lam Takada park cherry blossom light up.
The sakura festival at Takada Park is also known as one of the top three night-sakura locations. Around 3,000 Japanese lanterns are set up during the festival time and there’s heaps of good food served too.
Get there
20 mins walk from JR Takada Station