Top 10 Best Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) Viewing Spots in Yokohama

In Japan, there is a traditional custom to appreciate the beauty of the flowers, especially cherry blossoms (sakura) in the spring time. Yokohama is blessed with the scenery of both traditional and modern architecture which blends well with the cherry blossoms. Below are the top 10 popular cherry blossom viewing spots. Most of the spots are free, making them affordable places to enjoy the authentic Japanese beauty.

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Cherry Blossom Forecast for 2018 Season
The cherry blossom forecast (date of the first bloom and the full bloom) of 2018 season has been released. The best season to view the cherry blossoms in Yokohama is expected to start from late March to early April.

Yokohama
First bloom: Mar. 24th, 2018
Full bloom: Around Last week of March to First week of April
Please check our event calendar for upcoming cherry blossoms viewing events.

1. Minato Mirai 21

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“Sakura-dori” is a 500m of cherry‐tree‐lined street stretching over Minato Mirai 21 area. “Kishamichi Promenade” is a boardwalk consisted of three bridges over the sea which was former railway track. From both viewing spots, the fusion of the modern skyscrapers of Minato Mirai and the beautiful cherry blossoms can be enjoyed.

Minato Mirai 21 Sakura Festa (Cherry Blossom Festival) 2018
Mar. 31th (Sat.) to Apr. 8th (Sun.), 2018
During the Festa, cherry blossoms on the Sakura-dori will be illuminated by LED lights. There will also be various events held at the surrounding facilities, mainly on April ●th (Sat.) such as street performances, live music performance, and more. Come and enjoy the arrival of the spring.

MINATO MIRAI 21
Address Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
Area Minato Mirai 21/Sakuragicho
Closest Railway Station Sakuragicho Station: JR Keihin Tohoku Negishi Line / Municipal Subway Line / Minatomirai Station: Minatomirai Line

 

2. Ookagawa River

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Over 200 cherry blossom trees decorate the river banks on both sides, creating one of the most outstanding cherry blossom viewing sights in Yokohama. The cherry blossom viewing can also be enjoyed from “Ohanami Cruise” boats, which cruise under the cherry blossom tunnel!

26th Ookagawa Sakura Festival 2018
Apr.7th (Sat.) to Apr.8th (Sun.), 2018
*Lantern illumination: Mar. 24th (Sat.) to Apr.15th (Sun.) 2018, 5pm – 12am
The Ookagawa Sakura Festival is held in the vicinity of the river. Street stalls, event stages, going downstream by boats, and delicious sake, all of these are waiting for guests who visit.

OOKAGAWA RIVER SAKURA FESTIVAL
Address Ookagawa, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Area Minatomirai/Sakuragicho
Closest Railway Station Stage: Hinodecho Station (Keikyu Line)
URL http://river-sakura.com/  (Japanese)

 

3.Kamonyama Park

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From Kamonyama Park, located on a hill 15 minutes’ walk from Sakuragicho Station, you can look out over the high rise buildings of Minatomirai 21 down below. The park is also a famous place for cherry blossom viewing, and in the square, surrounded by cherry trees, a monument to Naosuke Ii gazes down over the port of Yokohama, to the opening of which he contributed. In cherry blossom season, many people come to view the flowers, and it is one of Yokohama’s most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing parties.

KAMONYAMA PARK
Address 57 Momijizaka, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
Area Minatomirai/Sakuragicho
Closest Railway Station Sakuragicho Station: JR Keihin Tohoku Negishi Line / Municipal Subway Line

 

4.Yamashita Park

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With a beautiful view of the sea, this tourist spot, one of the most famous in Yokohama, needs no introduction. You enjoy the flowers of each season all year round in the park’s flower beds and rose garden, but in spring, this cherry blossom viewing spot is particularly typical of Yokohama, where you can take pictures of the trees with the NYK Hikawamaru and Yokohama Marine Tower as a backdrop. The cherry blossoms around the World Square on the east side of the park are a particularly splendid.

YAMASHITA PARK
Address 279, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Area Chinatown/Kannai/Yamashita Park
Closest Railway Station Kannai Station: JR Negishi Line
Motomachi-Chukagai Station: Minato Mirai Line
URL http://www.yokohamajapan.com/things-to-do/yamashita-park/

 

5.Sankeien Garden

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The vast traditional Japanese garden covering over 175,000 sqm. with historical buildings across Japan. The garden features numerous cherry blossom trees around the pond, offering the beautiful scenery of the authentic Japanese Spring. “Sakura (cherry blossom) Ice Cream” at the rest house is also a must-have of this season.

Sankeien Garden Cherry Blossom Night Viewing 2018
Mar. 31st (Sat.) to Apr. 8th (Sun.), 2018
The opening hours are extended during the full blossom season, for people to enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms at night. (*Entrance until 8:30pm, closes at 9pm) Enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms illuminated by lanterns with Tomyoji’s three stories pagoda lit up on the hill top.

SANKEIEN GARDEN
Address 58-1, Honmoku Sannotani, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Area Honmoku/Motomachi/Yamate
Access From Negishi Station: JR Keihin Tohoku Negishi Line: Get on the municipal bus from bus stop No.1, take Route No.58,99 or 101 to bus station Honmoku, 10 min. walk to the Garden
From Yokohama Station: Get on the municipal bus from the bus stop No.2, take Route No.8 or 148 to bus station Sankeien Iriguchi, 5 min. walk to the Garden

 

6.Negishi Forest Park

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This extensive park was built on the site which once housed the first full-scale racecourse in Japan. About 350 cherry trees are planted around a gently rolling, grassy open space. The wide lawns are a perfect spot for enjoying the cherry blossom. Looking at the flowers while jogging or doing other kinds of exercise within the grounds is another ideal way to enjoy Negishi Forest Park.

NEGISHI FOREST PARK
Address 1-2, Negishidai, Naka-ku, Yokohama
Area Honmoku/Motomachi/Yamate
Closest Railway Station Negishi Station / Yamate Station: JR Keihin Tohoku Negishi Line
URL http://www.yokohamajapan.com/things-to-do/negishi-forest-park/

 

7.Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

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A marine entertainment island which makes the most of the unique characteristics of “the sea,” “islands,” and “living creatures,” where you can enjoy four different aquariums and a variety of attractions. You can view around 700 cherry trees of several kinds, not only Yoshino cherry but also mountain cherry, Oshima cherry, and others. In addition, the route of the Sea Train, which links the merry-go-round and the Aqua Museum, is altered at the time when the cherry blossoms open in order to take you via a square on the hill where the cherry trees are in bloom. You will be able to sense the coming of spring and experience the fresh greenery in each location on the island. 

YOKOHAMA HAKKEIJIMA SEA PARADISE
Address Hakkeijima, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
Area Southern Yokohama
Closest Railway Station Hakkeijima Station: Sea Side Line
TEL 045-788-8888
Hours Depends on facility
Open everyday
Admission Entrance to island is free.
1 DAY TICKET (Aquarium & Attraction)
Adult & High School Student 5,050 yen
Junior high school & Elementary school student 3,600 yen
Children (4 years or over) 2,050 yen
URL http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/

 

8.Kanazawa Natural Park/Zoological Garden

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Exhibiting approximately 40 species of rare herbivorous animals, this zoological park also provides animal guides and holds “animal-feeding” and other mini-events on a daily basis. More than 2,000 cherry blossom trees of different varieties, enabling visitors to enjoy a relatively long cherry blossom viewing season.

KANAZAWA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS (PARK)
Address 5-15-1, Kamariyahigashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
Area Southern Yokohama
Closest Railway Station Kanazawa-Bunko Station: Keihin Kyuko Line
TEL 045-783-9100
Hours 9:30-16:30(Last Entry 16:00)
Admission (Zoo) Adult: 500 yen / High school student: 300 yen / Elementary school student / Junior high school student: 200 yen
(Park) Free Admission
URL http://www2.kanazawa-zoo.org/english/

 

9.Mitsuike Park

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Located approximately 1.8 km northwest of Tsurumi Station, Mitsuike Park comprises three ponds. The name of “Mitsuike” came from them. It is enclosed in an abundant forest. When spring arrives, more than 1,600 Sakura trees begin blossom. The park is a well-known spot for cherry blossom viewing.

MITSUIKE PARK
Address 1-1 Mitsuike Park, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama
Area Northern Yokohama
Closest Railway Station
and Bus Stop
Mitsuike-Koen Kitamon (Municipal Bus Route 6 or 104) from Shin-Yokohama Station(JR)
Mitsuike-Koen Kitamon (Municipal Bus Route 6, 67,or 104) from Tsurumi Station (JR)
TEL 045-581-0287
URL http://www.kanagawaparks.com/mitsuike/

 

10.Kodomonokuni(Children’s Land)

kodomonokuni

The 250 acre park houses a farm with animals and a plaza where visitors can enjoy barbecue. Other attractions include a 110 meter long slide, a mini steam locomotive, and an artificial river amongst other facilities. From the end of March, over 1,000 cherry blossom trees from 40 different varieties will begin to blossom.

KODOMONOKUNI (Children’s Land)
Address 700, Nara-cho, Aoba-ku Yokohama
Area Northern Yokohama
Closest Railway Station Kodomonokuni Station: Tokyu Kodomonokuni Line
Hours 9:30-16:30 *Jul.,Aug. 09:30-17:00
Admission 600 yen (Adults), 200 yen(Jr.High School and Elementary School Students), 100 yen(aged 3 to 5)
URL http://www.kodomonokuni.org/english/

■Please visit Official Visitor’s Guide to Yokohama for more information below.
http://www.yokohamajapan.com/events/

■Upcoming Eevents in Yokohama includes Cherry Blossom information, please see below.
http://www.yokohamajapan.com/events/