Every spring, people in Japan flock to nearby sakura parks and mountains to see the cherry blossoms in all their splendor. Basking beneath the pink petals with a sakura-themed bento box and a bottle of sake or plum wine is a beloved tradition for many, especially if they have friends and family with them to celebrate the occasion.
But after you nail down the timeline with our official 2025 cherry blossom forecast, choosing the ideal cherry blossom park for your travels can be overwhelming. That’s why we have a list of the top sakura parks in Japan and what makes each of them a standout choice.
So, if you’re trying to find the perfect venue for this upcoming cherry blossom season, keep reading!
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10 best sakura parks in Japan
1. Ueno Park in Tokyo
Ueno Park is easily the top spot for a quintessential hanami experience in Tokyo. With 1,000 trees surrounding the park and abundant greenery year-round, it’s beautiful and easily accessible for visitors.
As with many of the places on this list, it’s best to get there early and claim your spot if you want to have a picnic. And if you want to make a full day out of it, you can visit the nearby Ueno Zoo to see the animals enjoying the spring season, too.
Find out more: Cherry blossoms in Tokyo
2. Maruyama Park in Kyoto
If you want a place to stretch out and observe the cherry blossoms in all their splendor, Maruyama Park is the best place to do so. Right next to Yasaka Shrine in the Higashiyama District, there are a number of restaurants and stalls where you can grab a seat and some food — no picnic supplies needed!
The best way to enjoy Maruyama Park? Visiting at night, when the ancient Shidarezuka, or weeping cherry tree, is lit up as the centerpiece of the property.
Find out more: Cherry blossoms in Kyoto
3. Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori
Those looking to explore Northern Japan in the springtime should stop by Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture for their spectacular cherry blossom views. From April 18 to May 5, Hirosaki Castle Park holds a famous cherry blossom festival, bringing in over 2 million visitors each year.
And it’s not just the night illuminations that draw in the crowds — there are over 2,600 cherry blossom trees here and 50 different types, too.
From the Sakura Tunnel on the west moat to the views from the observation deck, this park is a photographer’s haven and a must-visit during the cherry blossom season.
4. Mitsuike Park in Yokohama
With a name translating to “Three Ponds Park,” the scenery available in Yokohama’s Mitsuike Park should come as no surprise to its visitors. The waters here are surrounded by no less than 1,600 cherry trees coming in 78 different types, and the sight of the pink trees reflecting across the pond is truly stunning.
Enjoy a stroll down the two scenic walking trails, visit the Korean-style garden and allow your kids to play on the obstacle course and slides for a fun spring day!
5. Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park in Osaka
The Expo '70 Commemorative Park was the location of the Japan World Exposition in 1970, the first of its kind in Asia at the time, but these days it’s a perfect spot for relaxing in nature.
Most popular during cherry blossoms are its southeastern plazas, boasting over 5,000 cherry trees. But that’s not all! You can rent boats and paddle across the Dream Pond, stroll through their Japanese landscape garden or wander through the park’s memorial museum — all with a backdrop of sakura, of course.
Offering enough attractions to keep you entertained all day, the Expo even contains the National Museum of Ethnology, featuring artifacts from around the world, and the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, showing off ceramics, textiles, paintings and arts and crafts collections.
Find out more: Cherry blossoms in Osaka
6. Chureito Pagoda in Fuji Five Lakes
Is there any sight more symbolic of spring in Japan than the crimson Chureito Pagoda and sakura flowers framing Mount Fuji? We think not.
Head to the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko to find Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you’ll climb exactly 398 steps to find the iconic view from the observation deck.
Once you’ve snapped your photos atop the sacred mountain, consider doing a hike around the lake or walking around the park itself to see all of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms for yourself.
7. Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima
You might not be expecting to find a national monument in the middle of the small farming town of Miharu, but come springtime, hordes of people travel here to view one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom trees.
Dating back 1,000 years, the sheer size of this expansive weeping cherry blossom tree is breathtaking. Expect crowds if you do pay a visit, but feel free to come back at night to see the tree illuminated with fewer people around.
8. Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
There’s no better symbol of resilience than the bright pink cherry blossoms at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Learn about Japanese history by visiting the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Whether you come during the day or at night when the park is illuminated, hundreds of cherry trees line the Ota River nearby, inviting you to go on a leisurely river cruise to see them all.
More suggested spots for cherry blossom viewing nearby include the Hiroshima Mint Office and Miyajima, both of which stun in the springtime.
Find out more: Best Things to Do in Hiroshima: Japan’s Reborn City of Peace
9. Goryokaku Park in Hokkaido
Last on our list is Goryokaku Park in Hakodate, perhaps the most unique of all the sakura parks we’ve mentioned here. Surrounding a star-shaped, moated fort with an observation tour, there are plenty of good views to find here.
The park is home to 1,500 cherry blossom trees dating back to 1914, when the park was first opened. To get the most out of your experience, purchasing the Goryokaku Ohanami Plan is highly recommended, which supplies you with Hokkaido’s famous Genghis Khan Mongolian-style lamb and all the ingredients you need for your very own barbecue.
For a different experience, come back at night to see the pink trees lit up with red and white lanterns. Don’t forget to bring along your beverage of choice!
10. Mount Yoshino in Nara
Though not really a “park,” Mt. Yoshino is one of Japan’s most famous viewing spots, ideal for those who want to go all out for cherry blossom season. Covered in 30,000 cherry trees, seeing the mountainside covered in pink is almost an otherworldly sight.
Don’t worry if you’re not up for hiking, though — you can either take the cable car or a paved pathway to access each of the four main viewing spots.
Shimo Senbon and Naka Senbon at the base of the mountain are the most popular, while Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon will have fewer crowds, allowing you more time to snap your photos and enjoy the view.
Our recommended spot: Hitome Senbon in front of Yoshimizu-jinja Shrine!