Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Japan among the cherry blossoms in a Japanese garden
Stroll under the sprawling foliage of cherry blossoms at Okayama Korakuen Garden, right across from Okayama Castle. (Okayama)
Okayama Korakuen Garden is one of Japan’s top three gardens. It was built in the Edo period by the feudal lord of Okayama. Laid out among the extensive and interconnecting paths in the garden are the feudal lord’s sitting room, Noh stage and other historic buildings that are nestled between expansive grassy areas, as well as a minituare man-made hill and tea house set in the centre of the garden’s pond. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Japan while strolling through Korakuen, which is especially beautiful and awash in color during the cherry blossom season. You will find breathtaking and picturesque scenery throughout Korakuen with its backdrop of the majestic Okayama Castle, which is also called the raven castle (ujou) for its jet black walls. Nearby is the popular cherry blossom viewing (hanami) spot, Asahikawa Sakura-Michi.
The Yaesu red weeping cherry trees are forecast to be in full bloom from early-to-mid April.
Okayama Korakuen Garden
- Address
- 1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama [Map]
- Open
- 7:30-18:00
- Closed
- None
- Price
- Adults aged 15-64 years: 400 yen, Aged 65 years and over: 140 yen, High school students and younger: Free (until March 31, 2019)
- Credit card
- Accepted
- Cherry blossom
- Approx. 280 trees
- Full bloom
- From late March to early April
- Light up
- None
- Parking
- 250
- Access
- Take the direct bus from JR Okayama Station and get off at the Korakuen-mae stop; it’s right near the bus stop.
- Contact
- Okayama Korakuen Garden
- TEL
- +81-86-272-1148
- URL
- Website
MAP
Enjoy elegantly blooming cherry blossoms silhouetted against the Taikobashi bridges (arched bridges) at Utsubuki Park (Tottori)
Set at the foot of the 204-meter-tall Utsubuki mountain is Utsubuki Park, the symbol of Kurayoshi City in Tottori Prefecture. Among the virgin forest where the Itajii evergreen trees and other vegetation thrive are around 2000 cherry blossom trees, which when in bloom are such a splendid scenery that they have earned the park a place in Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom scenic spots. The cherry blossoms blooming in abundance around the Taikobashi bridges crossing the park’s pond are particularly breathtaking, especially their elegant silloutte when illuminted at night by the paper lanterns on the bridge. Utsubuki Park also has a musuem and a Friendly Square where visitors can interact with small animals, as well as a viewing deck and other facilities to leisurely enjoy. Be sure to sample the famous local delicacy Utsubuki Park Dumpling, priced from 520 yen for one serving.
Utsubuki Park
- Address
- Nakano-cho, Kurayoshi City, Tottori [Map]
- Open
- Open to the public
- Closed
- None
- Price
- None
- Cherry blossom
- Approx. 2000 trees
- Full bloom
- From late March to early April
- Light up
- From late March to early May, 18:00 to 22:00 (scheduled)
- Parking
- Approx. 400 cars *Surrounding tourist car park areas can be used
- Access
- Approx. 15 minutes on the city bus Shiyakusho-Keiyu Bus from Jr Kurayoshi Station. Get off at Shiyakusho Utsubuki Koen Iriguchi Bus Stop; the park is right there.
- Contact
- Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouse Tourism Center
- TEL
- +81-858-22-1200
- URL
- Website
MAP
Experience the exquisite hues of pine trees and cherry blossoms reflected in the lake surface at Ritsurin Garden (Kagawa)
Dubbed a national treasure of gardens, Ritsurin Garden is a designated place of exceptional beauty. Landscaped in the path-around-a-pond style of the gardens of feudal lords that flourished in the Edo period, the path that circles around the hilly banks of the pond provides visitors with an enthralling “different scenery for every step” view of the garden that continually changes as you follow it. In spring you can enjoy a symphony of colors as the cherry blossoms and pine trees are reflected on the water’s surface, creating an exquisite combination of light pink hues with shades of verdant green. You can also rent a multilingual audio guide “Ritsurin Talk” (200 yen per use and 1000 yen deposit) at the ticket sales counter at the park entrance.
Ritsurin Garden
- Address
- 1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa [Map]
- Open
- March: 6:30-18:00 April: 5:30-18:30
- Closed
- None
- Price
- Adult: 410 yen, Elementary/Junior high school student: 170 yen Preschool children and younger: free
- Credit card
- Not accepted
- Cherry blossom
- Approx. 320 trees
- Full bloom
- From late March to early April
- Light up
- From late March to early April, 18:00-21:00 (Last entrance 20:30)
- Parking
- 62 cars (100 yen/25 minutes)
- Access
- Around a 3-minute walk from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station
- Contact
- Ritsurin Garden Tourism Office
- TEL
- +81-87-833-7411
- URL
- Website
MAP
(This information is as of March 2018)
Nearby
Features
We present to you a collection of short movies filled with stunning western Japan locations that you have almost certainly never seen before. The scenes of Seto Inland Sea islands, beautiful towns and the daily lives of the locals will make you want to book a trip as soon as possible.
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MOVIES
We present to you a collection of short movies filled with stunning western Japan locations that you have almost certainly never seen before. The scenes of Seto Inland Sea islands, beautiful towns and the daily lives of the locals will make you want to book a trip as soon as possible.
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
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Night-time Food & Drinks Guide
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
Kagawa Prefecture is known as the gateway to Shikoku. Its capital is Takamatsu City, home to a wide range of interesting sightseeing spots.
With famous local dishes such as Sanuki udon and Kagawa-style chicken drumstick, and a wide range of lovingly-made traditional handcrafts that make excellent souvenirs, the city is well worth visiting.
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TAKAMATSU
Kagawa Prefecture is known as the gateway to Shikoku. Its capital is Takamatsu City, home to a wide range of interesting sightseeing spots.
With famous local dishes such as Sanuki udon and Kagawa-style chicken drumstick, and a wide range of lovingly-made traditional handcrafts that make excellent souvenirs, the city is well worth visiting.
Seasons
Destinations
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
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SETOUCHI
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
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OKAYAMA
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
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HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
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SHIMANE
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
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TOTTORI
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
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KAGAWA
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
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KOCHI
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
Many people flock to Ehime prefecture to soothe their mind and body with the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs resort Dogo Onsen, and the breathtaking Tashimabi scenery of numerous islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, as seen from the Shimanami Kaido bridge route connecting six of the larger islands. In addition to these and other attractions, Ehime is also blessed with a warm climate and locally grown citrus fruits, as well as an abundance of seafood sourced from the three coastal waters that surround it.
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EHIME
Many people flock to Ehime prefecture to soothe their mind and body with the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs resort Dogo Onsen, and the breathtaking Tashimabi scenery of numerous islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, as seen from the Shimanami Kaido bridge route connecting six of the larger islands. In addition to these and other attractions, Ehime is also blessed with a warm climate and locally grown citrus fruits, as well as an abundance of seafood sourced from the three coastal waters that surround it.
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
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TOKUSHIMA
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
