Photos by Shoji Kudaka ()
When January’s cherry blossom season rolls around in Okinawa, it’s time to hit the road! Many festivals draw in crowds of people to celebrate the arrival of the blossoms on the island. With the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the pink and blush hues of Japan’s favorite flower will guide you to a new season.
Okinawa offers several locations for great blossom viewing, but those in Yambaru, the hilly areas in the northern part of the main island, draw special attention for a few reasons.
First, Yambaru is home to the earliest blooms on the island. The “cherry blossom front,” which refers to the frontline of cherry blossom blooming, travels north to south. On the mainland, the front goes in the opposite direction due to a difference in the type of cherry blossoms. On Okinawa, locations like Mt. Yaedake (Mt. Yae), Nakijin Castle Ruins, and Nangusuku Koen (park), are some of the prime spots to catch the first blossoms of the season in the country.
Second, the mountains and forests of Yambaru are in themselves great attractions for a quick getaway. When they are adorned with the pink color of the cherry blossoms, the dynamic nature of the north becomes even more attractive. At Mt. Yaedake, which kicks off the season Jan. 20, visitors can enjoy the view as they drive up a 2.5-mile-long cherry blossom tree-lined road. In total, there are about 7,000 cherry blossom trees on the second-tallest mountain on the island.
About 25 minutes from Mt. Yaedake, 700 cherry blossom trees add vibrant colors to Nakijin Castle Ruins. This World Heritage Site is thought to have been built around the 13th century and was used as a stronghold for a kingdom that ruled the northern part of the island.
Nangusuku Koen (park) is known for its grand scale presentation with 20,000 cherry blossom trees. The 170-acre park includes castle ruins known as “Nangusuku,” a playground, an area for hiking, and a promenade that runs through a forest and near a river.
On Jan. 27-28, a parade will take place and a traffic-free zone will be set at the neighboring area of the park. The traffic can be slow on these days, so be prepared.
For visitors who go to Yambaru from the middle and southern part of the island, it will most likely take a couple of hours by car. Directions are not so complicated, but they may need some explanation for first-timers.
To go to Yaedake and Nakijin Castle, the easiest way is to take the highway, exit at No. 10 (Kyoda), go north on Route 58, and make a left to head northwest on Route 84, which cuts through Motobu Peninsula. An entrance to Mount Yaedake can be seen on the left-hand side of the road.
To go to Nakijin Castle, take a right onto Route 115 before hitting the coastline of the peninsula.
Nangusuku Koen (park) is not far from Exit No. 10. Go north on Route 58 and make a right onto Route 84 at the first light after passing by an A&W. Turn left at the signal near the Orion Beer factory and make a right at the first signal to go on a road that runs along a river.
In January in Okinawa, the average temperature is expected to be the lowest of the year. However, cherry blossoms give a lot of reasons for people on the island to chill.
Motobu Yaedake Sakura Matsuri
Date: Jan. 20 – Feb. 4
GPS Coordinates: N 26.647802, E 127.916458
Admission: Free
*There will be live entertainment on Jan. 20 – 21.
Nakijin Gusuku (Castle Ruins) Sakura Matsuri
Date: Jan. 20 – 28
Admission: 600 yen for adults, 450 yen for high school and middle school students, free admission for elementary school students and below
Time: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (last admission at 8:30 p.m.)
*Cherry blossoms will be lit up between 6 and 9 p.m.
*During the festival, visitors will have a chance to see Shigema Jyoukaku, a southern part of the castle ruins which are usually off-limits.
*It is recommended to use additional parking spaces that will be prepared on a temporary basis. A shuttle bus will take visitors to the castle ruins.
*Several interpreters will be ready to offer language support.
GPS Coordinates: N 26.691370, E 127.929012
Nago Sakura Matsuri
Date: Jan. 27 – 28
Location: Nangusuku Koen (park)
GPS Coordinates: N 26.589219, E 127.994307
*A parade will take place on streets around the park.
Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Jan. 22 – Feb. 4
GPS COORDINATES: N 26.131409, E 127.721109
*Cherry blossoms will be lit up between 6 – 8 p.m.
