UPDATE: Cherry blossom first bloom forecast (as of 4/16)
*Currently sparse trees have bloomed but the majority of cherry blossoms in Takayama range from phase 3-5 of blooming. Expected first blooming dates are in the next few days or week.
Takayama: ~4/19, 4/20
Hida Furukawa: ~4/19, 4/20
Kamioka: ~4/19, 4/20
Fukuji Onsen: ~5/5, 5/9
1. Garyuzakura (Ichinomiya, Takayama)
What to do in the area:
Garyuzakura is one of the oldest cherry blossom trees in Japan (over 1,100 years old) and is surrounded by a park and tranquil nature. The surrounding neighborhood, Ichinomiya, has hundreds of cherry blossom trees lined up against the natural rivers and mountains, making it a beautiful place to experience the surrounding nature. Next to Garyuzakura around 3 minutes by foot is Mizunashi Shrine, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Takayama. Ichinomiya is known as the heart of Takayama and because there are less buildings, visitors can truly enjoy a true sense of the countryside here.
🌸 Ichinomiya Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸
Date: April 19th, 2025 (tentative)
Hours: 11:00AM~2:00PM Check updates about the event: here
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #1 (Gero Line)
⬇
Ichinomiya Bus Stop (15 mins)
Boarding times:
8:05, 9:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 1:05, 2:05, 3:05, 4:05, 5:05, 6:05, 7:05
2. Fukuji Onsen (Fukuji, Takayama)
What to do in the area:
Fukuji Onsen is an adorable onsen town with a retro morning market, ramen shops, and plently of onsen or Japanese hot springs. This cherry blossom garden in Fukuji is the only one of its magnitude in the area. Fukuji is one out of the 7 hot spring neighborhoods in the Okuhida area of Takayama. The Okuhida area includes not only the hot spring but also hiking, waterfalls, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway. In Fukuji Onsen, there is also a (secret) open mountain viewing balcony area where anyone is free to sit and relax here.
🌸 Fukuji Onsen 🌸
While you’re in the area, you can enjoy the Okuhida Area (home of Shinhotaka Ropeway, mountain hiking, and high quality hot springs!)
Hot springs & local Hida cuisine
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #5 (for Hirayu)
⬇
Hirayu Bus Terminal (Platform 1)
⬇
Fukuji Onsen or Fukuji Onsen-guchi Bus Stop
Boarding times (at Hirayu Bus Terminal):
7:00, 7:40, 8:00, 8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:40PM, 1:40, 2:40, 3:40
Note: If you get off at Fukuji Onsen-guchi bus stop, you will have to walk an additional 14 minutes.
The local bus departing from Fukuji Onsen bus stop back to Hirayu Bus Terminal only departs a few times a day and there is no taxi. The times are: 6:31, 9:16, 10:16, 12:16, 2:16, 4:16
3. Sakurano Park (Kokufu, Takayama)
What to do in the area:
Sakurano Park is a spot spacious park in Takayama City where most locals can enjoy picnics and enjoy looking over the river. During the cherry blossom season, vendors sell hot snacks in the park area. It is also close to Hida Furukawa, the town that inspired the anime movie, Kimi no Nawa (your name). You can take a picture of the train station and library in the movie while enjoying cherry blossoms in the surrounding area.
🌸 Sakurano Park 🌸
Directly next to the park is a restaurant famous for yakiniku (Japanese bbq) and also a large assortment of Japanese set dishes.
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2
(for Furukawa/Kamioka)
⬇
Sakurano (19 minutes)
Boarding times:
7:00, 7:10, 8:10, 9:10, 11:10, 12:40, 2:10, 3:10, 3:40, 4:10, 4:40, 5:50, 6:10, 6:40, 7:10, 7:40
4. Miyagawa Ryouchi Park
What to do in the area:
Miyagawa Ryouchi Park is a local spot with enough space to host several hanabi (flower viewing) parties. Many people bring their pets here in the spring season. The park is a 12 minute walk from the main shrine in town, Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
🌸 Miyagawa Ryouchi Park 🌸
Nearby is a local favorite cheesecake store, Le Ceil! They sell seasonal cheesecakes but careful–they sell out quickly and only make a limited amount a day!
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2
(for Furukawa/Kamioka)
⬇
Sakurano (19 minutes)
Boarding times:
7:00, 7:10, 8:10, 9:10, 11:10, 12:40, 2:10, 3:10, 3:40, 4:10, 4:40, 5:50, 6:10, 6:40, 7:10, 7:40
BONUS: Hida City Cherry Blossoms
Hida City is home of the neighborhoods Hida Furukawa and Hida Kamioka. The charm of Hida City is that there are less buildings compared to Takayama, so you can really “feel the countryside” of the Hida Area. The cherry blossoms are scattered all over town, so if you rent a bicycle and ride around, you are bound to find many local spots local students and commuters get to enjoy. Some of the main cherry blossom attractions in town will be listed below.
1. Kamioka Castle (Hida Kamioka)
What to do in the area:
Kamioka Castle overlooks the entire city of Kamioka and is breathtaking in the spring. Around the castle grounds are a wide variety of cherry blossom trees scattered all over the premises. As it is next to a middle school, sometimes you can catch children running around playing tag here.
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2
(for Furukawa/Kamioka)
⬇
Nissato (1 hour~)
Boarding times:
9:10, 11:10, 12:40, 14:10, 15:40, 16:40
2. Gosho Sakura (Hida Furukawa)
What to do in the area:
Gosho Sakura is a long road of cherry blossom trees that line the Miyagawa River in Hida Furukawa. Every spring, they light up this beautiful road from 6PM~10PM. The cherry blossoms are right next to Ayuno Bridge– officially, the spot isn’t on google maps but is greatly celebrate by the locals.
How to get there:
By bus:
Nohi Bus Center Bus Stop #2
(for Furukawa/Kamioka)
⬇
Hida Furukawa Station
⬇
Sugisaki Station (~4 minute walk)
⬇
Gosho Sakura
(on the intersection of Ayuno Bridge and Daie River)
