Kamikochi reopens April 17th, 2026. If you’re making your way to Kamikochi, you are most likely going to pass through either Nagano or the Takayama area to get there. Both areas offer picturesque cherry blossoms spot, albeit quite a bit spaced out. Ideally, you should time out your day carefully if you want to visit cherry blossoms on the way since local transportation is not so frequent in the Takayama and Nagano areas.
Table of Contents
- How to get to Nagano from Tokyo
- Nagano Prefecture Cherry Blossom Spots
- Takayama Cherry Blossom Spots
How to get to Nagano from Tokyo
Nagano can be reached by train, shinkansen, or bus from Tokyo. Depending on the area, some buses directly stop in front of famous tourist destinations, making it a time saving option versus transferring to local transportation.
➤Highway Bus
Shinjuku Bus Terminal is a major hub with buses departing to different areas such as Nagano, Takayama, Mt.Fuji, Kusatsu Onsen, and more. You can purchase tickets directly at the bus terminal, but its highly suggested to book a seat beforehand, as seats for your desired time may sell out.
Nagano Prefecture Cherry Blossom Spots
1. Anjyouji Sakura Park (Matsumoto City)
Anjyouji Sakura Park is a beautiful temple complex thats on the way to Kamikochi. Hidden in a residential area, Anjyouji Sakura Park has countless of weeping cherry blossom trees with views of the Alps along a lake. You will mostly find locals lining by the lake area with professional cameras around sunset time. Often people try to get a shot of the temples and cherry blossom reflecting on the lake.
Blooming date (est): 4/9~4/12
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the highway bus or train to Matsumoto Station, then take the ALPICO Kotsu Kamikochi Line for 20 minutes
2. Takao Joshi Park (Inashi City)
Takao Castle Park is perhaps one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in all of Japan due to its massive size. The ancient area has over 1,500 cherry blossom trees and has a festival which is generally held for a month. In 2025, it was first held on April 4th, 2025.
Festival date is TBA on the official website
Blooming date (est): 4/9~4/12
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the highway bus to Ina Bus Terminal, then take the local bus to Takao Station for 25 minutes.
3. Karuizawa (Karuizawa District)
Karuizawa is a stylish historical district in the mountains, located only around 3 1/2 hours from Shibuya. Refresh yourself around Shiraito Falls or Kumoba Pond and take a walk around this quaint and historical area (such as Old Karuizawa Ginza Street) which had settlers dating back to 7,000 years ago.
Blooming date (est): 4/24~5/6
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the highway bus to Karuizawa
5. Matsumoto Castle
The Matsumoto area is a quiet but modern like town surrounded by the Japanese Alps. The castle itself is one of Japan’s oldest castles and is surrounded by a peaceful park like embankment. Many local people like to leisurely spend time on the grounds which is walking distance to the main tourist area.
Blooming date (est): 4/6~4/12
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the highway bus to Matsumoto Station, then walk 15 minutes
4. Garyu Park (Suzaka City)
Garyu Park is a beloved community park area in Suzaka City with over 600 cherry blossom trees. Each year around April, there is a cherry blossom festival held with nighttime illuminations that light up the trees from 6-9. It is also adjacent to a very small amusement park and zoo. The amusement park and zoo is only 200 yen to enter and has a variety of animals from kangaroos, capybaras, owls, and ducks.
Blooming date (est): 4/7~4/15
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku take the highway bus or train to Nagano Station, then take the Nagano Dentetsu for 24 minutes and get off at Suzaka Station, then walk 24 minutes
Takayama Cherry Blossom Spot
To get to Kamikochi from the Takayama direction, you are going to need to board the shuttle bus to Kamikochi at Hirayu Bus Terminal. The area is famous for hot spring neighborhoods, hiking, and Shinhotaka Ropeway, a ropeway towering over 2150 meters with views of the Japanese Alps.
1. Fukuji Onsen
Fukuji Onsen is one of the 7 onsen towns in the Okuhida area of Takayama. The cherry blossoms surround the area and is a quick walk from the retro style farmers market in the area. To get to Fukuji Onsen, you will have to take a local bus from Hirayu Bus Terminal. In general, the cherry blossoms in this area bloom late in comparison to surrounding areas due to the colder climate.
Blooming date (est): 5/5~5/9
Google maps
Directions: From Shinjuku take the highway bus or train to Hirayu Bus Terminal, then take the local bus to Fukuji Onsen (get off at Fukuji Onsen).
Where to board the highway bus:
Highway buses depart from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), located directly across Shinjuku Station’s South Exit on the 4th floor. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or online in advance. However, we highly recommend buying the tickets in advance online.
Address: 5 Chome 24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
Opening hours: 6:30 AM ~ 11PM
Waiting room opening hours: 3:30 AM ~ 1 AM (the next day)
Official Website
