TRAVEL TIPS

Sakura in Hiroshima: 9 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms

By Ryan Noble
Updated: February 12, 2025

Hiroshima is known around the world for its harrowing history, with many who haven’t visited yet seeing the area through a lens of despair and regret. But once you visit Hiroshima, you see that it’s so much more. 

It’s a place where hope and renewal can also be found around every corner, especially during the spring when Hiroshima’s sakura (cherry blossoms) burst to life, offering a new pink-hued palette instead.

For some of the best cherry blossoms spots in Hiroshima — and perhaps all of spring in Japan — explore our list of places to see sakura. Set against historic landmarks and scenic parks, this is a place where cherry blossoms provide a backdrop for travel photos and inner reflection. 

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Where is Hiroshima?

Historic Hiroshima Castle set against the modern Hiroshima City at sunset.

Hiroshima is a vibrant city located in the western part of Japan’s main island of Honshu. Known worldwide for its tragic history as the site of the first atomic bombing in 1945, Hiroshima has transformed into a symbol of peace and resilience. 

In the modern day, Hiroshima serves as a hub for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a rich blend of culture, natural beauty and modern urban life. It's easily accessible by shinkansen bullet train and air from major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

If you were to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima, there are a few options:

Bullet train: Taking the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station takes roughly four hours and costs around  ¥20,000 for a one-way ticket.

Buses: You can get an overnight bus from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima’s Koikikoen-mae Station. It will take 10-11 hours and cost around ¥14,000 for a one-way ticket.

Plane: You can fly to Hiroshima from either of Tokyo’s main airports — Haneda and Narita — in about 1.5 hours, costing from ¥33,000 for a one-way ticket.

Find out more: Best Things to Do in Hiroshima

When is cherry blossom season in Hiroshima?

Cherry blossom season typically hits Hiroshima in late March. According to the 2025 Cherry Blossom Forecast, the first buds are set to flower on March 25, with full bloom occurring on April 4. 

For the most accurate, up-to-date information, keep checking our 2025 Sakura Forecast or the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s (JMC) Forecast Map.

Find out more: Cherry Blossoms in Japan: When and Where to See Sakura

Best places to see cherry blossoms in Fukuoka

1. Hiroshima Peace Park

Hiroshima Peace Park as cherry blossoms begin to bloom.

Located at the heart of Hiroshima, the Peace Park is not only a place for reflection, but also a beautiful spot to admire cherry blossoms. The park’s many paths, ponds and its tranquil atmosphere are made even more memorable during the spring, lined with around 300 sakura trees that create a stunning contrast against the historical and somber backdrop.

Visiting during the cherry blossom season adds a serene beauty to the park, making it a must-see for both history buffs and nature lovers.

2. Atomic Bomb Dome

Atomic Bomb Dome, framed by pink cherry blossoms.

The Atomic Bomb Dome, also known as the Genbaku Dome in Japanese, is Hiroshima’s most instantly recognizable memorial site. Though its remaining structure, preserved in its broken state as it is, provides a warning to ongoing generations of the horrors of war, the area is undeniably beautiful.

The banks of the Motoyasu River are blessed with about 300 cherry blossom trees, illuminated at night — much like the dome itself — giving you a reason to wander past this spot more than once and embrace the unique blend of natural beauty and unnatural loss.

3. Hiroshima Castle

Looking up at Hiroshima Castle from behind the petals of sakura.

Famous for 450 cherry trees across its expansive grounds, Hiroshima Castle — nicknamed "Carp Castle" (Koi-no-ura) due to the number of elegant carp swimming through its moat — is easily one of the must-visit attractions of this city, regardless of the season.

But only in spring does the castle come alive with a sea of pink and white blossoms. And, given the spacious castle grounds, there’s more than enough space for everyone to throw down a blanket and enjoy a hanami cherry blossom viewing party with friends and family.

4. Hijiyama Park

For panoramic views of Hiroshima, there’s nowhere quite like Hijiyama Park. This large, forested city park is located at the top of a hill, overlooking the city, and is a popular spot for snaps of the sunset over Hiroshima.

Time it right and you could enjoy an afternoon stroll through the park, taking in the 1,300 cherry blossom trees planted here, and then when the sun starts to dip, find a good spot and pull out your camera.

5. Senkoji Park

Senkoji Park as seen from above, carpeted with pink sakura petals.

Want to combine your hanami with a train tour of Hiroshima? Senkoji Park is the one for you, taking on a winding train ride through the mountains of this prefecture to Onomichi Station. 

From here, it’s a 20-ish-minute walk to the top of Mt. Senkoji — don’t worry, some would call it a large hill, so you don’t need to pack your hiking gear (but a bottle of water and a good attitude when it comes to stairs wouldn’t be unwelcome).

But once you reach the top? Expect sweeping views of the town of Onomichi and the Seto Inland Sea, along with the petals of over 10,000 cherry blossom trees on the breeze. 

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Senkoji Temple and the Onomichi City Art Museum!

6. Shukkeien Garden

Sakura petals framing the stone bridge and scenic ponds of Shukkeien Garden.

Keeping things closer to Hiroshima City is Shukkein Garden, only a 15-minute walk from Hiroshima Station. The park itself was originally constructed in 1620, but was destroyed in the heavy bombings of WWII. However, not one to be left behind in Hiroshima’s path towards renewal, it was rebuilt and some say it’s simply better than ever.

Although a beautiful oasis of green throughout the year, spring brings with it a cacophony of whites and pinks; not only are there bountiful cherry trees in the park, but also their lesser-celebrated siblings: plum and peach trees.

Note: It is ¥260 to enter the park, and visitors can also enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony amongst the petals for ¥600.

7. Miyajima

The floating torii gates of Miyajima, Hokkaido.

45 minutes by train and ferry from Hiroshima Station is a sight worth seeing no matter the season: Miyajima. This island is the home of the iconic “floating torii gate” of Itsukushima Shrine.

Spring, summer, fall, winter — this spot draws the crowds regardless of the season for one of the most memorably beautiful shots of Japan. Now, imagine that beauty multiplied by the 1,300 cherry trees planted around the area, leading the way up to the shrine and setting the stage for perhaps the most famous torii gate in the country. 

It’s also great for spotting wild deer, especially if you don’t have time to visit Nara during your time in Japan.

Find out more: Things to Do in Nara: Bowing Deer, Big Buddhas & More

8. Shobara-Ueno Park

Of course, Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s best places for cherry blossoms, but add a few more letters and you’ve got one of the best spots for sakura in Hiroshima: Shobara-Ueno Park.

In fact, with its 2,000 Yoshino-Somei cherry blossom trees, stretching along the circumference of its serene pond, it’s no wonder that this park has been recognized as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" in Japan.

At the sun sets, the cherry blossoms come to life with the glow of hundreds of paper lanterns — the main highlight of the Shobara Sakura Monogatari Festival in April, best viewed from the traditional red bridge leaping over the pond’s petal-layered surface. 

Though it may sound like a must-visit spot for sakura in Hiroshima, its distance from the Hiroshima City — 1.5 hours by car and over two hours by train — means it’s never overwhelmed by tourists, making it great for a peaceful day of sakura spotting.

9. Kintaikyo Bridge, Iwakuni

Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni, set against the pinks of a setting sun.

Though this final sakura-viewing spot is technically in Iwakuni, not Hiroshima, we think you’ll forgive us once you get there. One of Iwakuni’s most-visited spots is its famous Kintaikyo Bridge, unique for its gorgeous arched architecture and ornate timberwork. Its origins date back to 1673, but it has since been rebuilt for future generations to enjoy.

Just hop on the train at Hiroshima Station and you’ll enjoy 1.5 hours of scenery from the windows of the train before arriving in JR Iwakuni Station. What you’ll find upon arrival is so worth it: 1,000 cherry blossom trees along the banks of the river and plenty of space for hanami cherry blossom picnics.

Chasing cherry blossoms across Japan? Head to the best cherry blossoms spots in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, ShizuokaChiba and Fukuoka. Or, get a taste for Japanese spring foods, sakura snacks and more things to do in spring.

If you feel like staying in Hiroshima for a little longer, you’ll want a list of what to eat, the best places to eat, perhaps our Hiroshima Vegan Guide and our recommendations of the best Hiroshima food tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see cherry blossoms in Hiroshima?

Cherry blossoms tend to bloom in Hiroshima towards the end of March and into early to mid-April.

Is spring a good time to visit Hiroshima?

Yes! Spring is a good time to visit almost anywhere in Japan. Spring in Hiroshima brings clear weather, mild temperatures and pastel-pink backdrops of sakura wherever you go.

Are there cherry blossoms in Nagasaki?

Of course! One of Nagasaki’s most popular cherry blossom spots is Tateyama Park, looking out over the city. It has around 700 cherry trees planted along its hillsides offering sweeping views with fluttering petals.
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Ryan Noble
Ryan’s love for Japan may have begun with Naruto — something he refuses to hide — but it only grew once he truly understood the beauty of this country’s language, culture, and people. He hopes to use that passion to bridge the gap between Japan and the rest of the world, shining the spotlight on its hidden gems and supporting the revitalization of rural regions.
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