Famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Shikoku, Chugoku, Kyushu and Okinawa areas

Korakuen is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens (Source: Okayama Tourism and Convention Association) alongside Kenrokuen Garden and Kairakuen. Built in 1700, it is a daimyo garden with a stroll-through garden with forests and springs that represents the early Edo period. In early Apr., when the grass, which takes up one-sixth of the garden, begins to sprout, about 280 cherry trees, mainly Somei-Yoshino, begin to bloom, heralding the arrival of spring, and the garden is instantly colored in spring colors. The contrast between the chrysanthemum cherry blossoms that come into full bloom around the end Apr. and the Yaebenishidare flowers that bloom beside the Kayo-no-ike pond and the Eisho Bridge is also spectacular.

Tsuyama Castle is a flatland castle that was completed in 1616 (Genna 2) after 12 years of construction by Mori Tadamasa, the first lord of the Tsuyama domain. When the castle was abandoned in 1873 (Meiji 6), all the buildings were demolished, but the Bitchu Turret was restored in 2005 (Heisei 17). The stone walls, stretching 45m above ground, remain intact, and with the Bitchu Turret in the background, about 1,000 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, are in full bloom. It is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in western Japan, and has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots (source: Japan Cherry Blossom Association, a public interest incorporated foundation).

It has a diameter of 7.1m, a circumference of 9.2m at the base, branches that stretch 20m from north to south and east to west, and a height of 18m. It is an Azumahigan (a type of Higan cherry tree). According to legend, in 1332, Emperor Go-Daigo was exiled to Oki and saw and admired this cherry tree, which is why this single cherry tree is said to have been named after it.

"Aki no Miyajima" is also registered as a World Heritage Site.
The approximately 1,900 cherry trees that surround Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site, are a spectacular sight.
The Tahoto Pagoda, one of the famous cherry blossom viewing spots, stands on the hill west of Itsukushima Shrine.
When the trees are in full bloom, you can see the large torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine through the Yoshino cherry trees.
The large island is blessed with many varieties of cherry blossoms, including Yamazakura, Somei-Yoshino, Weeping Cherry, and Oshima Cherry.

There are plenty of spectacular sights to see, including the view from the observation deck, the fantastical cherry blossoms at night, and the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea's many islands with cherry blossoms in full bloom below.
Please enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a way that is fitting for Onomichi, the city of literature.

There is a row of weeping cherry trees, and you can enjoy a relay of Yoshino cherry blossoms, weeping cherry blossoms, red double weeping cherry blossoms, and double cherry blossoms in various places within the park.

The cherry trees from the Osaka Mint Bureau were transplanted to the grounds of the Hiroshima branch office in 1967, and for many years have been a popular spot for employees to enjoy the cherry blossoms. In Apr. 1991, as part of the commemorative projects for the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Mint Bureau, the area was opened to the public as the "Flower Walkway."
There are about 220 cherry trees of about 60 varieties on the premises, ranging from popular varieties such as Sekiyama, Shogetsu, and Fugenzo to rare varieties such as Otemari and Benitemari that are rarely seen elsewhere. Most are late-blooming double cherry trees, with their large petals exuding a unique charm.

The 600 cherry trees have been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots (Source: Japan Cherry Blossom Association, a public interest incorporated foundation), and the beauty of the cherry blossoms at night is said to be among the best in western Japan.

Matsue Castle Park is a famous cherry blossom spot that was selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots (Source: Japan Cherry Blossom Association, a public interest incorporated foundation). Currently, Matsue Castle Park is a place of relaxation for citizens, and not only the castle tower but also the stone walls and turrets create a majestic appearance for the entire park.
Within the castle grounds, there are about 190 cherry trees in bloom, including somei-yoshino, yaezakura, and weeping cherry trees. At dusk, paper lanterns are lit up and the cherry trees are lit up, attracting many people who come to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

This is the Chugoku region's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and every year from late Mar. to early Apr., you can enjoy a tunnel of 800 cherry trees stretching for about 2 kilometers.

Kintaikyo Bridge is a nationally designated scenic spot and is one of Japan's most famous wooden bridges. As its name "Nishiki" suggests, you can enjoy colorful scenery throughout the seasons, with cherry blossoms in the spring, cormorant fishing and fireworks in the summer, autumn leaves in the natural forests of Shiroyama, and snow-covered scenery in the winter. It has also been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots (source: Japan Cherry Blossom Association, a public interest incorporated foundation), and the area around Kintaikyo Bridge is dyed pink by the Somei Yoshino cherry trees along the Nishiki River and the cherry trees in Kikko Park, making it a sight to behold.

Matsuyama Castle is a vast flatland castle with its main citadel at the top of Shiroyama (Katsuyama) at an altitude of 132m in the center of Matsuyama City, and Ninomaru and Sannomaru at its base. The entire Shiroyama Park, including Horinouchi, is a national historic site, and is one of Ehime Prefecture's top cherry blossom viewing spots, designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Sites and Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
In spring, about 300 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino cherry trees, bloom in full glory, delighting visitors from both within and outside the prefecture.

Located near the summit of Mt. Kaizan on Hakatajima Island, this scenic park offers views of the rich nature and beauty of the many islands. It is known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and in spring, about 1,000 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, bloom in full glory, and the entire mountain is enveloped in a pale floral haze.

A gorge that flows through Tsurugiyama Quasi-National Park in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, formed by water erosion of crystalline schist.
The beautiful rocks and V-shaped valley that can be seen up close are a rare sight nationwide that show the origins of the Japanese archipelago, and the place has been designated a national natural monument and scenic spot.

Ritsurin Garden is the largest of all the cultural property gardens designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty in Japan (source: Kagawa Tourism Association). It is a stroll-style feudal garden from the early Edo period with six ponds and 13 artificial hills, and in spring, about 290 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino and Yamazakura, add color to the garden. The view of the cherry blossoms and lake surface from Fuyomine Peak is particularly known for its beauty. There are plenty of things to see, such as the contrast between the green colors of the cherry blossoms and pine trees, the cherry blossom tunnel, and the cherry blossoms reflected on the mirror-like surface of the lake.

It has long been known as "Sanuki Konpira-san" and enshrines the god of the sea. The long stone steps leading to the shrine are famous, with 785 steps to the main shrine and a total of 1,368 steps to the inner shrine.
Along the stone steps from the approach to the inner shrine are the Daimon Gate, Gonin Hyakusho, and the Shoin, a nationally designated important cultural property. The spacious grounds are dotted with historic shrines and halls, including the Asahi Shrine, an important cultural property, and the Treasure Museum displays first-class artworks and cultural properties.
On both sides of the approach to the shrine, there are souvenir and udon shops, making it a very lively place.

If you walk along the nature-filled promenade to the summit of Mt. Shiude, you will be greeted by a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. From the observation deck at the summit, you can see the beauty of the many islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
In spring, cherry blossoms beautifully decorate the mountains.

Located in the center of Kochi City, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while looking at Kochi Castle, which has been selected as one of the "100 Famous Castles of Japan®*," within Kochi Park, a national historic site.
*The "100 Famous Castles of Japan®" is a list of Japan's most famous castles, selected in 2006 by the Japan Castle Foundation after being reviewed by experts in history and architecture.

Approximately 2,000 trees, including the nationally designated natural monument "Omurazakura," will be in full bloom until mid-Apr..

Standing in the middle of a rural landscape, this 400-year-old mountain cherry tree has a trunk circumference of about 7.35m and a height of about 14m. It is said to be the bodhi tree of Mine Hoki no Kami Korefuyu, who died at Yazaki Castle in a battle with the Shimazu clan in 1580. The central trunk was broken by a typhoon in 2004, but the tree continues to produce beautiful flowers every year. The cherry tree is surrounded by a field of rapeseed flowers, and when in full bloom, you can enjoy the contrast between the cherry blossoms and the rapeseed flowers.

Kumamoto Castle, said to be one of the three most famous castles in Japan (Source: Kumamoto City Tourism Policy Division), is also one of Kyushu's leading cherry blossom viewing spots.
This famous castle was built by Kato Kiyomasa over a period of seven years starting in 1601 (Keicho 6), and is extremely popular among castle enthusiasts.
Many of the cherry trees at Kumamoto Castle were planted between 1955 and 1975 (Showa 30 and 50), and they adorn the castle tower with color in the spring.
There are about 800 types of cherry trees, including somei-yoshino, yamazakura, higozakura (Higo cherry), and other local varieties. After dusk when the trees are in full bloom, they are lit up, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms that shine against the castle both day and night.

This garden with borrowed scenery covers an area of approximately 50,000 square meters, with Sakurajima as an artificial hill and Kinko Bay as a pond. Within the garden, you can enjoy various kinds of cherry blossoms over a long period of time, including the Kanhizakura, which blooms the earliest on the mainland, and the Gantanzakura, which blooms around the Lunar New Year.
In spring, the garden is home to 150 cherry trees of five varieties, including Kanhizakura, Satozakura, and Somei-Yoshino, which bloom in full glory, making it one of Kagoshima Prefecture's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

The slope leading up to the main castle is dyed in pink, and the ruins of the Ryukyu Kingdom castle, a World Heritage Site, are decorated with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

During the day, you can enjoy two fascinating sights: the vibrant rows of cherry blossom trees stretching out towards the gradation of blue created by the sky and sea, and at night, the cherry blossoms and castle walls are lit up in a fantastical light.