When discussing hanami (flower viewing) in modern Japan, the flower is the Somei-yoshino (ソメイヨシノ) cherry blossoms. Many people are looking forward to the blooming of the Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms, which marks the end of the cold winter and the arrival of the warm spring. The Somei-yoshino, whose blooming season coincides with events such as school graduation ceremonies, entrance ceremonies, and initiation ceremonies, is also a special flower for Japanese people to mark a turning point in their lives.
There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Shizuoka Prefecture, but here we will introduce our selection of spots that you should visit at least once in your life! Please enjoy the sceneries unique to Shizuoka Prefecture with the collaboration of Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji, Suruga Bay, and the Oigawa Railway.
○Izu Area
Kanogawasakura Park (Izunokuni City)
Kanogawasakura Park is located along the Kano River embankment between Nirayama Station and Izu-Nagaoka Station. A row of cherry blossom trees stretches 450 meters along the Kano River, and during the season, visitors can enjoy the collaboration of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji and the Somei-yoshino cherry trees in full bloom. You can park your car on the wide riverbank, so in addition to viewing cherry blossoms, we recommend walking and exploring spots associated with the Hojo clan that was active during the Kamakura period, such as Ganjojuin Temple and Moriyama Hachimangu Shrine.
For more information, click here.
Mishima Taisha Shrine (Mishima City)
Mishima Taisha Shrine, located in downtown Mishima City, has long been revered as the first shrine in Izu Province, and is known for its close association to Minamoto no Yoritomo. Starting with the winter cherry blossoms in February, approximately 200 cherry trees of 15 varieties begin to bloom one after another on the temple grounds, and in the spring, Somei-yoshino cherry trees and Mishima cherry trees line the approach to the temple, and weeping cherry trees bloom as if encircling the pond.
For more information, click here.
○Fuji Area
Iwamotoyama Park (Fuji City)
Iwamotoyama Park is located at the top of the 193-meter-high Mt. Iwamoto, from which you can see a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji River, Suruga Bay, and Mt. Ashitaka. It is famous as a spot for viewing plum blossoms, but in the spring, over 500 cherry trees are in full bloom, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful harmony between the cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji. We also recommend viewing the cherry blossoms at night, when you can see them along with the beautiful nightscape.
For more information, click here.
○Central Area
Mt. Gotenyama (Shizuoka City)
Mt. Gotenyama, which is known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, derives its name from the fact that the mountain was used to collect firewood used in the Kanbara Goten, a palace built on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In spring, about 600 Somei-yoshino cherry trees and 200 Oshima cherry trees bloom all over the mountain, transforming the entire Gotenyama area into a spectacular pink hue.
For more information, click here.
Sunpu Castle Park (Shizuoka City)
Sunpu Castle is known as the castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his later years. Unfortunately, no structures from those days remain, but the stonewalls and moats in Sunpu Castle Park still preserve the castle’s original appearance. Cherry trees are planted evenly throughout the park, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that attracts many people when the trees are in full bloom. There is also a tea ceremony room in the Momijiyama Garden (fee required) within Sunpu Castle Park, where you can relax and enjoy an elegant springtime experience over a cup of tea.
For more information, click here.
Rengejiike Park (Fujieda City)
Located almost in the center of Fujieda City, Rengejiike Park has long been a popular place for recreation and relaxation. The park is filled with flowers in every season, including lotus (which the park derived its name from), plum blossoms, and hydrangeas, but in April, in particular, many people visit to enjoy the spectacular show of the cherry blossoms and wisteria in full bloom.
For more information, click here.
Ieyama Sakura Tunnel (Shimada City)
There is a 1-km-long area lined with cherry trees on both sides of the railroad tracks, called the “Sakura Tunnel,” about a 3-minute drive south from Ieyama Station on the Oigawa Railway. Oigawa Railway operates an SL (steam locomotive), and if you time it right, you may even be able to see the train as it runs along the rows of cherry trees. The collaboration of the light red Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms and the jet-black SL creates a nostalgic feeling.
For more information, click here.
○Western Area
Hamamatsu Castle Park (Hamamatsu City)
Hamamatsu Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu when he was still a young man, and later the lords of the castle were appointed to important positions in the Edo shogunate one after the other, which is why the castle is also known as the “Shusse Castle” (Castle of Success). You can look up at the castle through the cherry blossoms and wish for success in life, or you can look down at the cherry blossoms from the castle tower and feel like the ruler of Japan!
During the blooming season, the cherry trees are lit up, providing a different kind of magical atmosphere in the park.
For more information, click here.
Hamamatsu Flower Park (Hamamatsu City)
More than 50 years since its opening in 1970, the flower theme park attracts many visitors, from local Hamamatsu residents as well as from other parts of Japan and abroad.
The scenery of 1,300 cherry trees and 500,000 tulips, which have been carefully cared for as the “world’s most beautiful cherry and tulip garden,” is so beautiful that it looks as if you have wandered into a fairyland.
