While short-lived and fragile, cherry blossoms have a profound and important role in Japanese culture. They only bloom for a short time in Spring but are one of the country’s most recognizable symbols and tourist attractions. Foreigners and locals alike pay close attention to the blooming forecasts and dates, to make sure they can enjoy these stunning flowers for the longest amount of time before they are fully gone. In Japan, the cherry blossom is known as “sakura,” and its ephemeral nature and fragile beauty are in some ways a reflection of life itself.
-- What Makes Cherry Blossoms Special?
-- The Best Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in Hiroshima
These transient cherry blossoms can thankfully be enjoyed almost everywhere in Japan. However, due to climate differences between regions, flowering dates can greatly vary. For those visiting Hiroshima in the months of March and April, we have created a list to help you find the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms in the prefecture. Take a look through the information below to learn more about “sakura” trees, the culture surrounding them, and when and where to best enjoy their blossoms in Hiroshima.
WHAT MAKES CHERRY BLOSSOMS SPECIAL?
Cherry blossoms can be found in other places of the world other than Japan, but in no other country do they hold the same amount of cultural significance and admiration. To understand the reason behind this, we must look through history and learn how these small and fragile blossoms rose in importance and became one of the major symbols of Japan.
Japanese culture has for a very long-time placed value in the arts and the appreciation of natural beauty. Feudal lords built magnificent gardens just to have a place to enjoy nature while strolling about or drinking tea. Thus, it should come at no shock that a tree as beautiful and radiant as the cherry blossom would be widely celebrated and appreciated by the people of Japan. Even the earliest record of Japanese poetry, the Man'yōshū, includes many poems which bestow much praise upon the cherry blossom. This admiration would not decrease over the following centuries but rather continue to grow and manifest in many more art pieces and literary works.
The importance of the cherry blossom extends beyond its influence in the arts, as it is also highly related to Japanese religion and mythology. In the past, the blossoms were believed to house the “gods of the rice fields,” and thus cherry blossoms were seen as a blessing and an auspicious sign. This concept is mostly associated with Shinto, Japan’s native religion, but there are also some ties to Buddhism, the country’s second major belief system. It is easy to see how the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossoms goes hand in hand with the Buddhist concepts of impermanence and change.
One, of course, cannot discuss the importance of cherry blossoms without mentioning the social component. In order to appreciate the fully bloomed trees, friends and families gather for “hanami” (flower viewing) under the blossoms and eat, drink, and chat, while taking in the breathtaking view around them. This tradition has been around since at least the Edo period (1603-1868) and has become a staple spring activity in Japan. Many of the parks which were built in the past to enjoy cherry blossoms are still around today, being used for the same purpose. In this way, “hanami” is more than just a picnic, it is a way to actively participate and immerse oneself in the culture of Japan.
PREDICTING THE 2025 SEASON
If you are wondering when exactly Cherry Blossom trees bloom throughout Japan, there is actually an official forecast which is released every year! Furthermore, the Cherry Blossom Forecast is updated almost every week, so those chasing the blossoms should be on the lookout for any changes. It is important to note that the image above shows the expected “flowering” date for the trees, but not when they will be at “full bloom.” The latter usually occurs about one week after the flowering, and then the cherry blossoms last about one week afterwards.
Please keep in mind that Mother Nature is very unpredictable, so depending on the weather and other environmental factors, the dates can be off by a couple of days and sometimes even weeks. For example, in recent years, blossoms have been blooming later than expected, being about 2 weeks late in some regions due to a cold and snowy March. When choosing places to observe Cherry Blossoms keep this unpredictability in mind and do not be disappointed if you miss the full bloom! Make plans so that you can have several chances to catch the trees during their best time.
This year there is an interesting trend in which the north of Japan will be blooming drastically later than the south. Interestingly though, cities such as Tokyo and Nagoya are predicted to bloom earlier than some further south cities like Osaka and Hiroshima. Due to this trend, if you happen to miss the blooms on either side of the country, by getting there too early or too late, you’ll still have a chance to catch them elsewhere! Also, those coming to Japan in late April are in luck, since the trees in the north will still be bright, full, and pink during that time.
In Hiroshima, the forecasted flowering date is March 27th, and the forecasted full bloom date is April 6th. This is pretty similar to the dates from last year, so we believe that there is a high chance this prediction is accurate. Remember that the cherry blossoms remain on the tree for some time after they have fully bloomed, so if you are in Hiroshima at any point from April 6th till about April 13th, then you can expect quite an amazing view!
THE BEST SPOTS TO SEE CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN HIROSHIMA
Below you can find a list of the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Hiroshima. There are also some extra details and information about the locations. Additionally, we have included some of our tours which visit the listed locations, so that you can enjoy the cherry blossoms while also exploring the top sightseeing spots in the prefecture. The list is in no particular order so make sure you read till the end to avoid missing out on any of these ideal cherry blossom places!
PEACE MEMORIAL PARK / Best: Early-April
Peace Memorial Park is undoubtedly one of the top cherry blossom sites in Hiroshima! It also just happens to be the most important historical location to visit within the city. During the spring, the trees lining the sides of the Motoyasu River burst into bloom and provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing "hanami" or stroll. The park is free to enter and located in the city centre, thus spending some time viewing the cherry blossoms in this place is a must for all travelers!
If you'd like to enjoy the blossoms while also learning about the history of Hiroshima, we recommend booking our "Half-Day Hiroshima Highlights" tour. It is conveniently offered at two different time slots, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and is only four hours long. You will be making the best use of your time while also admiring the beautiful "sakura" around you. This tour will also take you to other notable locations such as Hiroshima Castle and Shukkei-en Garden, both of which have some cherry blossom tress of their own!
MIYAJIMA / Best: Early-April
The breathtaking island of Miyajima might just be Hiroshima's most popular tourist destination after Peace Memorial Park. Located only a short train and ferry ride away from the city, this island is home to the renowned Itsukushima Shrine which appears to float in the sea when the tide is high. It also happens to be a fantastic place to view cherry blossoms from multiple vantage points. You can simply enjoy walking around the island and seeing the many trees at eye level, or you can climb Mount Misen to get a view from above. One of our favorite locations to observe blossoms from on the island is pictured below: the Senjokaku Pavilion. The place is quite bare and its main highlight is its view, but for only JPY100 as the entry fee, we definitely believe it is worth visiting.
If you'd like to enjoy Miyajima's cherry blossoms to their fullest, then we recommend you book our 1-day tour of the island. On it, you will be able to view the blossoms from all the different perspectives we mentioned above. You will be visiting shrines and temples throughout Miyajima, riding the ropeway to the top of Mount Misen, and overall spending a fantastic day at one of Japan's top three scenic spots.
For those who can only visit Hiroshima for one day, we have an itinerary which combines the top sightseeing spots in the city centre and Miyajima. We will take you to locations such as the Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, Itsukushima Shrine and many more! This will also give you the opportunity to enjoy cherry blossoms at two of the most popular spots in the prefecture.
SHUKKEI-EN GARDEN / Best: Early-April
Shukkei-en Garden is Hiroshima's most famous feudal garden. It is relatively small compared to others which can be found around Japan, but it is still a place of considerable peace and beauty. The garden also happens to posses many cherry blossom trees which further enhance its landscape. Shukkei-en is a special place to view blossoms since it also has many plum and peach ones. If visit early in April you might be able to witness all three blooming at once!
Shukkei-en Garden can be visited in some of the tours we have mentioned previously, but there is one we have yet to talk about. The Hiroshima Hidden Gems and Highlights tour will take you to all the main sightseeing spots within the city centre, while also allowing you to discover one of the city's most stunning hidden gems: Mitaki-dera Temple. If you'd like to explore Hiroshima in a more unique way while also getting the chance to enjoy the cherry blossoms at the top locations, then perhaps this tour will be the best one for you.
HIJIYAMA PARK / Best: Early-April
Hijiyama Park is located not too far from Hiroshima Station, and it is yet another fantastic place within the city to enjoy cherry blossoms. The park is atop a small hill, so it also provides a fantastic panoramic view of Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea. According to some sources, Hijiyama Park has more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees, making it an extremely popular "hanami" location. There also some facilities within its premises, such as the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the Hiroshima City Manga Library, which make it an interesting place to visit at any time of the year.
ONOMICHI, HIROSHIMA / Best: Early-April
Outside of cherry blossom season, Onomichi is already regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Hiroshima. It is actually referred to as a "miniature garden" due to its beautiful scenery, picturesque layout and fantastic view of the Seto Inland Sea. Onomichi is also rich in history, as it is home to a vast amount of historic temples which are still in great condition. A small mountain, Mount Senkoji, lies very near the coast and is covered in lush greenery, old-fashioned residences, and some of these aforementioned temples. Throughout the entire Mountain and its Senkoji Park, one can spot hundreds of Sakura trees which create views which look like they were pulled straight out of a movie.
The one main draw-back of Onomichi is its distance from the city of Hiroshima, and thus, many foreign tourists find it a bit too intimidating to attempt visiting. To address this issue and introduce this beautiful city to more people, we created a 1-day tour which takes guests to both Onomichi, and the town of Saijo. This town is known as one of Japan's "Sake Capitals" and is conveniently located on the way to Onomichi, making the journey feel less long and more interesting. Doing this tour in April will help guests immerse themselves in Japanese culture by experiencing traditional elements of it such as drinking sake and "hanami."
This other Onomichi tour is a bit different as it does not depart from Hiroshima Station, but rather from Onomichi. It's best for those who are on their way into our out of Hiroshima and will be passing by Shin-Onomichi Station on the San'yo Shinkansen Line or those staying in the nearby city of Fukuyama. Overall, this tour is a more in-depth exploration of Onomichi, which includes a visit to one of its many islands, Ikuchijima. On this island lies an eclectic and impressive temple known as Kosanji Temple, and the unique marble garden, "The Hill of Hope." During spring, the temple on the island becomes surrounded by cherry blossoms just as the ones on the mainland. With this tour you can gain a better understanding of Onomichi while discovering some niche yet amazing cherry blossom viewing locations.
1-Day Onomichi & Ikuchijima Island Tour: “The Hill of Hope,” Temples, Ropeway and Ferry
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FUKUYAMA CASTLE, HIROSHIMA / Best: Early-April
Fukuyama Castle is conveniently located right next to Fukuyama Station, one of the major stops on the San'yo Shinkansen Line. Not only is it a great place to learn about the history of Fukuyama city, the second most populous city in Hiroshima Prefecture, but also a beautiful cherry blossom sightseeing spot. The extensive grounds of this formidable castle are covered in many cherry blossom trees, which contrast perfectly with the white façade of Fukuyama Castle. If you happen to be exploring the Chugoku Region and have some time to spare, you can reach this lesser-known area easily on the Shinkansen and enjoy some "sakura" without big and bothersome crowds.
While just visiting Fukuyama Castle can be quite interesting and a entertaining, we believe the city has a lot more to offer. As such, we designed a 1-day tour of Fukuyama which will allow guests to visit both the castle and the historic port town of Tomonoura. This town is known for its picturesque landscape and scenic beauty. Thus, by joining this tour when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you will be enjoying some of Hiroshima's most stunning sights.
1-Day Fukuyama Tour: Castle, Tomonoura Port Town, and Sensui-jima Island Visit
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KINTAIKYO BRIDGE, IWAKUNI / Best: Early-April
This last entry on the list is not actually located within Hiroshima Prefecture, but it is so close to the city centre, easy to access, and mesmerizing during cherry blossom season that we would be remiss not to mention it. The Kintaikyo Bridge can be reached in about 70 minutes starting from Hiroshima Station, and it lies within the city of Iwakuni, inside the neighboring Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Kintaikyo is described as one of Japan's "three most famous bridges" and it is particularly known for its cherry blossom covered landscape in the spring. There are more than ten fantastic different viewing spots for cherry blossoms in the bridge's surrounding area and a nighttime illumination highlights the beauty of the blossoms every night from March 23rd till April 21st. This is without a doubt one of the best and most magical places to view cherry blossoms in Western Japan.
For those planning to visit Hiroshima, we actually have two tours which both start from Hiroshima Station and provide you with the opportunity to experience the beauty of Kintaikyo Bridge and its cherry blossoms. The first tour listed below will take you on a 1-day adventure in Iwakuni, in which you will cross the famed bridge, explore the peaceful castle town, ride the ropeway up to Iwakuni Castle, and take part in a unique seal engraving experience. As you make your way through the castle town area, cherry blossoms will great you at every turn.
1-Day Iwakuni Tour: Kintaikyo Bridge, Castle Town & Seal Engraving Experience
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This second tour combines two of of Western Japan's most iconic landscapes, Kintaikyo Bridge and the "floating" Itsukushima Shrine of Miyajima. Not only are these two locations connected by their scenic beauty, but they are also coincidentally very close to each other, so visiting both during the same day is a good and efficient way to make use of one's time. Additionally, as mentioned previously, Miyajima is a prime location for admiring blossoms, thus this tour will provide you with an entire day of optimal cherry blossom viewing!
1-Day Miyajima & Iwakuni Tour: Exploring the Most Iconic Japanese Landscapes
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If you're looking for things to do in Hiroshima outside of the cherry blossom season or are just curious about what else is popular in the area, make sure to check out our "30 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay" webpage.