The long‑awaited cherry blossom season is finally approaching, and you will witness the blossom’s magical effects, which makes monotonous dull winter landscape transformed into a pool of soft pink.

Let’s head out into warm spring air to stroll under the sakura trees or enjoying a picnic under the blossoms, that sure will make your wonderful memory of Japan.

This year, the much-awaited cherry blossom season is expected to start around March 21 in the mainland, according to Japan Meteorological Agency.

During this time, you’ll find many blossom-viewing events and spring festivals are scheduled at nearby parks, shrines, temples and neighborhoods. They are great chances to partake in the local spring traditions with neighbors while enjoying the time of year.

Try one, try them all! Here are some of sakura events that you won’t want to miss.

1. Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri (Aomori Prefecture)

A two-hour drive from Misawa Air Base, about 2,600 cherry trees stretch in the spacious Hirosaki Castle Park. During the festival period, cherry blossoms are illuminated in the evening.

• DATES AND Hours: April 17 – May 5 (Sakura special light up: Sunset time – 10 p.m.)

• Location: 1 Shimohakugincho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Pref.

• Phone: 0172-35-3131

• Website

2. Miyagi Ogawara Cherry Blossom Festival (Miyagi Prefecture)

A 4.5-hour drive from either Yokota or Misawa AB, thousands of cherry trees stretch along the Shiroishi River at the backdrop of snow-capped Zao Mountain ranges.

• DATES AND Hours: April 3 -16, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Sakura light up: 6 – 9 p.m.)

• Location: Shiroishikawa Park, Kawabata Funaoka, Shibata, Shibata District, Miyagi Pref.

• Phone: 0224-52-6688

• Website

3. Chiyoda no Sakura Matsuri (Tokyo)

A 700-meter-long path along Chidorigafuchi Moat lets you enjoy a breathtaking view of countless blossoms and the stone wall of the Imperial Palace.

• DATES AND Hours: Through April 22 (Sakura light up: March 26 – April 6, Sunset time – 9 p.m.)

• Location: Chiyoda-ku around Chidorigafuchi Moat, 1-1 Kitanomarukoen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Phone: 03-3556-0391

• Website

4. Ueno Park Sakura Matsuri (Tokyo)

Home to about 1,200 cherry trees, Ueno Park is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo and the park attracts nearly two million visitors each spring.

• DATES AND Hours: Through April 5 (Bonbori lantern illumination: 5 – 8 p.m.)

• Location: 5-20, Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo

• Phone: 03-3828-5644

• Website

5. Nakameguro Sakura Matsuri (Tokyo)

Enjoy sakura blossoms while walking along the Meguro River for four kilometers. There are a lot of shops, cafes and restaurants in the area, so, you can drop by some during your walk.

• DATES AND Hours: Blossom’s opening day – March 28 - 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sakura light up: Late March – early April, 5 – 8 p.m.)

• Location: 1-24 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

• Phone: 03-5722-6850

• Website

6. Rikugien Garden Sakura Light Up (Tokyo)

This traditional Japanese garden is famous for its large weeping cherry tree. In the sakura blooming season, the cherry tree and the park are beautifully lit up at night.

• DATES AND Hours: Consecutive seven nights from late March, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Dates TBD.

• Location: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

• Phone: 03-3941-2222

• Website

7. Hadano Sakura Festival (Kanagawa Prefecture)

A 40-minute drive from NAF Atsugi, Hadano Culture Park and Multipurpose Park are home to hundreds of sakura trees along the Minagawa River for 1.1-kilometers. The trees are beautifully lit up from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout the festival period.

• DATES AND Hours: Consecutive 14 days from the period of March 20 – April 12, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sakura light up: 6 – 9 p.m.)

• Location: Hadano Culture Park and Multipurpose Park, 1-3-2 Sakuramachi, Hadano City, Kanagawa Pref.

• Phone: 0463-82-9648

• Website

8. Sagamiko Sakura Festival (Kanagawa Prefecture)

A 40-minute drive from Yokota AB, spacious Sagamiko Mori Mori amusement park is home to 2,500 cherry trees. Hop on a pair-lift to enjoy Sakura blossoms from the air or enjoy “F-1” cart to run through the field filled with cherry trees.

• DATES AND Hours: Through April 19, Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun., 9:30 a.m.– 8:30 p.m.

• Location: Sagamiko Mori Mori, 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Pref.

• Admission: Adults 1,900 yen, seniors and children 1,200 yen

• Phone: 0570-037-353

• Website

9. Ueda Castle Park Senbonzakura Matsuri (Nagano Prefecture)

A 2.5-hour drive from Yokota AB, Ueda Castle Park is home to more than 1,000 cherry trees stretching around the 443-year-old castle, offering wonderful spectacle each spring.

• DATES AND Hours: Blossom’s opening day – March 28 - 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sakura light up: Late March – early April, 5 – 8 p.m.)

• Location: 1-24 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

• Phone: 03-5722-6850

• Website

10. Matsumoto Castle Sakura Lighting Up (Nagano Prefecture)

Within a three-hour drive from most Kanto bases, and known as Japan’s oldest five-tiered, six-story castle, Matsumoto Castle is home to 300 sakura trees along the outer moat. In the blossom blooming season, they are lit up in the evening, creating a fantastic effect on the blossoms.

• DATES AND Hours: Eight nights after blossom’s opening, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

• Location: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Pref.

• Phone: 0263-32-2902

• Website

11. Takato Sakura Festival (Nagano Prefecture)

A three-hour drive from most Kanto bases, Takato Castle is home to approximately 1,500 cherry tree and recognized as one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots.

• DATES AND Hours: Cherry blossom blooming time, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Peak season is 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.)(Sakura light up: 6 – 9 p.m.)

• Location: 3050 Shimoshinden, Ina City, Nagano Pref.

• Admission: 600 yen, middle and elementary school students 300 yen

• Phone: 0265-94-2556

• Website

12. Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Sakura Lighting Up (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Considered one of Japan’s three most majestic gardens, Kenrokuen features about 40 varieties and 420 cherry trees and counted one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan. Kenrokuen is about a six-hour drive from most Kanto bases.

• DATES AND Hours: Seven nights after blossom’s opening Consecutive, Sunset time – 9:30 p.m.

• Location: 1 Kenrokucho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Pref.

• Phone: 076-225-1542

• Website

13. Himeji Castle Sakura Light Up (Hyogo Prefecture)

A four-hour drive from MCAS Iwakuni, Himeji Castle is famous for its more than 1,000 cherry trees. Join a boat tour in the castle moat and you can enjoy looking up cherry blossoms on the boat while the pink petals flutter over you.

• DATES AND Hours: March 27 – April 5, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

• Location: 68 Honcho, Himeji City, Hyogo Pref.

• Admission: (Fee to the castle) Ages 18 or older 2,500 yen (Himeji City citizens 1,000 yen), ages under 18 free (Sakura light up viewing) Ages 18 or older 600 yen, ages under 18 free

• Phone: 079-285-1146

• Website

14. Toji Temple Sakura Light Up (Kyoto Prefecture)

Known as home to Japan’s tallest wooden pagoda, Toji Temple accommodates about 200 large cherry trees. So, in the blooming season, you can enjoy a unique view of white-pinkish blossoms against the backdrop of classical temple tower and halls.

• DATES AND Hours: Through April 12, 6 – 9:30 p.m.

• Location: 1, Kujomachi, Minami-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Pref.

• Admission: High school students or older 1,000 yen, middle school students or younger 500 yen

• Phone: 075-691-3325

• Website

15. Ninna-ji Temple Omuro Hana Matsuri (Kyoto Prefecture)

Designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, Ninna-ji temple is home to 10 varieties of 200 sakura trees. Ninna-ji’s cherry trees are rather shorter and smaller than other trees in Kyoto City, which makes the blossoms a unique contrast against the majestic dark brown temple buildings at the backdrop.

• DATES AND Hours: March 27 – May 6, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

• Location: 33 Omuro-ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Pref.

• Admission: 800 yen, highschooler or younger free

• Phone: 075-461-1155

• Website

16. Mount Yoshino Sakura light up (Nara Prefecture)

Mt. Yoshino boasts about 30,000 white wild cherry trees. In spring, their blossoms spread across the mountain and valleys create impressive views.

• DATES AND Hours: Through April 19, 6 – 10 p.m.

• Location: 41-3 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-gun, Nara Pref.

• Phone: 0746-34-2522

• Website

17. Kumamoto Castle Oshiro Matsuri (Kumamoto Prefecture)

A 2.5-hour drive from Sasebo Naval Base, Kumamoto Castle is home to 550 cherry trees and is counted one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots.

• DATES AND Hours: Through March 22

• Location: Kumamoto Castle, 9-6 Hanabatakecho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Pref.

• Admission: High school students or older 800 yen, elementary and middle school students 300 yen

• Phone: 096-352-5900

• Website

* Event details and dates are subject to change.

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