Now Reports

The blossoming of sakura (cherry blossoms) is an occasion for celebration all over Japan. Between late March and early April, families, friends and colleagues come together for ohanami or “blossom-viewing”. In Fukuoka, blooming was (officially) announced on March 18, four days earlier than normal but a day later than last year.

• 2023 Sakura Forecast
• Fukuoka Now Sakura Map (Google Map)
Viewing spots
• Fukuoka City (15)
• Itoshima City (2)
• Dazaifu City (1)
• Ukiha City (2)
• Asakura City (2)
• Kurume City (1)
• Tagawa City (1)
• Kasuya-gun (1)
• Other Kyushu’s Sakura Spots (6)

2023 Sakura Forecast (as of Mar. 23)

Part of the magic of sakura is that you never know for certain when they’ll start to bloom or be in full bloom. To help you plan your ohanami with better probability, refer to this website which offers updated forecast for sakura all around the country.

• Fukuoka, sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 18. Full bloom is expected on Mar. 26.
• Oita’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 24, with full bloom around Apr. 2.
• Nagasaki’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 22, with full bloom around Mar. 29.
• Saga’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 22, with full bloom around Mar. 29.
• Kumamoto’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 22, with full bloom around Mar. 30.
• Miyazaki’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 19, with full bloom around Mar. 28.
• Kagoshima’s sakura have begun to bloom on Mar. 24, with full bloom around Apr. 1.

Sakura blooming forecast for Fukuoka as of Mar. 23. This chart illustrates the predicted percentage of blooms by date. Between Mar. 25 and Apr. 1 is predicted to be prime cherry blossom viewing in Fukuoka. Source.

Fukuoka Now Sakura Map 2023

To help you and your friends find a place to enjoy the ohanami season, we’ve made an online map of locations in Fukuoka known for nice sakura trees.

Fukuoka City

Maizuru Park

• 1-4 Jonai, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. walk from Ohorikoen Sta.
• 1,000 trees
• Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival: 3/24 (Fri.) ~ 4/2 (Sun.) 11:00~22:00 (light up: 18:00~22:00)
• Special light-up area: one zone ¥400, three zones ¥1,000
• Parking: ¥150/hour
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=302001

Kyushu Live
Fukuoka Sakura Cherry Blossom Walk 2023: Experience the Magic LIVE! (Mar. 24, 2023)

 

Cherry Blossoms at Fukuoka Castle 2022 (Mar. 29, 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/live/YwjySXSJrO4?feature=share

 

Nishi Park

• 1-2 Ohorikoen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 5 min. on foot from Arato 2-chome bus stop; 15 min. on foot from Ohorikoen Sta.
• 1,300 trees
• Free
• Parking: free *vehicles cannot enter or park inside during the season
• Public toilets: available
*No source of ignition permitted
• https://www.nishikouen.jp/
• https://www.instagram.com/nishipark_fukuoka/

Tenjin Central Park

• 1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 3 min. walk from Tenjin Sta.
• Approx. 50 trees along a path next to Yakuin Shinkawa River
• Free
• Parking: ¥200/30 min. (basement parking, open 24 hours)
• Public toilets: available
• http://tenjin-central-park.jp/

Kyushu Live
Sakura In Bloom! Fukuoka City 2022 (Mar. 28, 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/live/TPOeCtWjKkY?feature=share

 

Minami Park

Photograph provided by Fukuoka City.

• Minamikoen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: Dobutsuen-mae bus stop (Fukuoka Zoo); 15 min. on foot from Sakurazaka Sta.
• Approx. 400 trees, daytime only
• Free
• Parking: coin parking available nearby
• Public toilets: available
• Note: wear comfortable clothes to walk around!
• http://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=302003

Sanno Park

• 1-9 Sanno, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: Get off at Sanno Koen-mae bus stop; 8 min. on foot from Higashi-Hie Sta.
• Approx. 300 trees
• Free
• Parking: coin parking available nearby
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=204001

Higashi Hirao Park

Photograph provided by Fukuoka City.

• 2-1-2 Higashi-hirao Koen, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: Higashi Hirao Koen-iriguchi bus stop
• Approx. 1,600 trees
• Free
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• Note: There’s an athletic facility at adjacent adventure forest (Otani Hiroba)
• http://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=202002

Reisen Park

A popular spot in central Fukuoka for night cherry blossom viewing.

• 7 Kamikawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 3 min. walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Sta.; 2 min. walk from Kawabata-machi Hakataza-mae bus stop
• 32 trees
• Free
• Parking: coin parking available nearby
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=205001

Atago Shrine

Photograph provided by Fukuoka City.

• 2-7-1 Atago, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: 10 min. on foot from at Atago-shita bus stop; 20 min. on foot from Muromi Sta.
• 2,000 trees
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• http://atagojinjya.com/
• Fukuoka Topics – Cherry Blossoms and Beautiful Night Views at Atago Shrine

Nokonoshima Island Park

Photograph provided by Fukuoka City.

• Nokonoshima, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: Catch a ferry from Meinohama Passenger Terminal
• Approx. 200 trees
• Adult (HS and above) ¥1,200, ES and MS ¥600, over 3 years old: ¥400
• Parking: available next to Meinohama Passenger Terminal (¥510/day)
• Public toilets: available
• http://nokonoshima.com/en/
• https://www.instagram.com/nokoipark/

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

• 18-25 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
• Approx. 1600 trees
• Open: 9:30~17:30 (Mar. 1 ~ Oct. 31)
• Entry fee: over 15 y.o. ¥450, over 65 y.o. ¥210, free for JHS and under
• Uminonakamichi Flower Picnic 2023: 3/18 (Sat.) ~ 5/21 (Sun.)
• Parking: available (¥530)
• Public toilets: available
• https://uminaka-park.jp/enjoy_flower/four-seasons/cherry-blossom.html

Muromigawa river park

• 4-14 Sawara-ku, Kotabe, Fukuoka
• Free
• Open: 24 hours
• Parking: Free (28 spaces)
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/sawaraku/sawaraku-tamatebako/kankou/muromi_park.html

Seinanmorinokohan Park

• 6 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka
• Approx. 200 trees
• Free
• Open: 24 hours
• Parking: ¥100/h (141 spaces)
• Public toilets: available
• http://seinanmori.q-rin.co.jp/index.php

Mt. Aburayama Citizens’ Forest

Photograph provided by Fukuoka City.

• 855-4 Hibaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka
• Approx. 2,000 trees
• Free
• Open: 24 hours
• Parking: normal-size vehicle ¥300, middle-size vehicle ¥1,000, large-size vehicle ¥2,000
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.shimi-mori.com/ (official ohanami guide)
• https://www.instagram.com/aburayama_shimimori/

Hibaruzakura Park

• 1-5 Hibaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka
• 13 trees
• Free
• Open: 24 hours
• Parking: unavailable
• Public toilets: unavailable
• https://www.midorimachi.jp/park/detail.php?code=406111
• Fukuoka Topics – The Hibaru Cherry Trees: A Testament to the Will of the People of Fukuoka

Fukuoka Tower Sakura Illumination

• 2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka
• Access: Ride a bus going to Fukuoka Tower and get off at Fukuoka Tower-minamiguchi bus stop; 20 min. on foot from Nishijin Sta.
• Illumination : 3/16 (Thu.) ~ 4/16 (Sun.) 19:00~23:00 *except 4/2 and 4/8
• Adult: ¥800, JHS and ES: ¥500, over 4 years old: ¥200
• Parking: 7:00~23:00 ¥300 / 2hrs, ¥100 per 20 min after 2 hours
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.fukuokatower.co.jp/lightup/
• https://www.instagram.com/fukuokatower_official/

Itoshima City

Kafuri Park

• 702-1 Kafuri, Itoshima City, Fukuoka
• Approx: 500 trees
• Free entry
• Parking: free (20 spaces)
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/spot/12200

Sasayama Park 

• 2 Maebarueki-minami, Itoshima City, Fukuoka
• Access: Chikuzen-Maebaru Sta. (JR Chikuhi line)
• Approx. 660 trees
• Free
• Parking: free (approx. five spaces)
• Public toilets: available
• Note: Enjoy hiking and see most of Itoshima from the top of the mountain.
• https://bit.ly/3LIeP6w

Dazaifu City

Kamado Shrine

Known for protecting the kimon (northeast) of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kamado Shrine is also a popular photo cherry blossom spot.

• 883 Uchiyama, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka
• Access: 883 Uchiyama, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka (accessible by the ¥100 Mahorobago Community Bus from Dazaifu Sta.)
• Free
• 200 trees
• Illuminated on these nights: 3/24 (Fri.) ~3/31(Fri.) 18:30~21:00
• Sakura Festival: 3/25 (Sat.), 3/26 (Sun.)
• Parking: ¥400
• Public toilets: available
• http://kamadojinja.or.jp/
• https://www.instagram.com/kamadojinja.official/

Ukiha City

Shidarezakura at Hokkebaru Hanateien

写真提供：一般社団法人うきは観光みらいづくり公社

写真提供：一般社団法人うきは観光みらいづくり公社

• Best time to view: mid March. ~ late Mar.
• Sakura light up: 3/18~3/26 (sunset ~ 21:00)
• 2314 Yoshimachi, Tominaga, Ukiha City, Fukuoka
• 3 trees (Shidarezakura)
• Parking: Free
• Public toilets: available
• https://ukihalove.jp/sakurainfo_2023/
• https://www.instagram.com/ukiha.ukihako/

Nagarekawa no Sakuranamiki

• Nagarekawa, Ukiha-cho, Ukiha City, Fukuoka
• Approx: 350 trees
• Parking: available
• https://ukihalove.jp/contents/nagarekawasakuranamiki/

Asakura City

Akizuki Sugi-no-baba

• Akizukinotori, Asakura City, Fukuoka
• Access: Kyodokan-mae bus stop, Amagi Kanko Bus from Amagi Sta. (20 min.)
• 200 trees, along a 500 m concourse.
• Free
• Parking: ¥400
• Public toilets: available
• https://amagiasakura.net/sightseeing_post/akizuki_suginobaba_sakura/

Amagi Park

• 79 Bodaiji, Asakura City, Fukuoka
• Approx: 4000 trees
• Sakura light up: sunset ~ 22:00
• Free entry
• Parking: free (500 spaces)
• Public toilet: available
• https://amagiasakura.net/sightseeing_post/amagikouen_sakura/

Kurume City

Asai Ippon-sakura (Hotomeki no Ki)

The tree is over 100 years old. It is known as Yamazakura and is 18 m tall with a circumference of 4.3 m.

• 1151 Yamamoto-machi Mino, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• Access: 20 min. from JR Zendoji Sta.
• Open: 10:00~21:00
• Sakura light up from early Mar.
• Free
• Parking: price will be updated on the official web.
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.kurume-hotomeki.jp/event/?mode=detail&id=402036000083&isSpot=1

Tagawa City

Maruyama Park

• 19-1 Maruyama-machi, Tagawa City, Fukuoka
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Free
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.joho.tagawa.fukuoka.jp/kiji00336/index.html

Kasuya-gun

Ino Tenshoko Shrine

©久山町

• 604 Ino, Hisayama-machi, Kasuya, Fukuoka
• Approx. 200 trees
• Free entry
• Parking: free (charges may apply on busy dates)
• Public toilets: available
• https://bit.ly/3JIsegn

Kyushu’s Sakura Spots

As a bonus addition to the Fukuoka Now Sakura Guide, we’ve listed up one no-fail sakura spot for each of Kyushu’s other six prefectures – for those venturing outside the Fukuoka city limits!

Ogi Park (Saga)

Ogi Park was selected as one of the Japan’s top 100 sakura spots, and one of Japan’s top 100 historical parks. A koi carp lake and various shrines add to the peaceful atmosphere of this magical sakura spot. There will also be nighttime illumination, including bonbori (paper lanterns).

• 185 Ogi-machi, Ogi City, Saga
• 3,000 trees
• Free
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.city.ogi.lg.jp/main/5526.html

Kameoka Park (Nagasaki)

Kameoka Park is well known for its cherry blossom trees, including somei yoshino and nidozaki zakura. Enjoy your hanami picnic with the nearby Hirado Castle turrets as backdrop.

• Iwanoue-cho, Hirado City, Nagasaki
• Approx. 1,000 trees
• Free
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.nagasaki-tabinet.com/guide/370/

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is by far the city’s most popular sakura spot. The view from Sakura-no-baba Josaien is recommended.

• 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto
• Viewing season: Late Mar. ~ Early Apr.
• Approx. 800 trees
• Open: 9:00~17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Entry fee: over HS ¥800, ES & JHS ¥300, free for preschool children
• Parking: ¥200 for first two hours, ¥100/hour after
• Public toilets: available
• https://kumamoto-guide.jp/kumamoto-castle/
• https://www.instagram.com/kumamoto_castle/

Oita Castle Ruin Park

Sakura trees line the moat surrounding the historic castle, and the flowers reflect brilliantly on the water.

• 4 Niage-machi, Oita City, Oita
• 65 trees
• Free
• Parking: None
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.oishiimati-oita.jp/spots/detail/CPID:9999900074991

Shiroyama Park (Kagoshima)

Take a sakura-filled walk through this park in downtown Kagoshima that extends over Mt. Shiroyama (192 m above sea level). The mountain was formerly the site of a castle fortification and overlooks Kagoshima City, Mt. Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay.

• 3819 Kokubukamiko-gawa, Kirishima City, Kagoshima
• Approx. 550 trees
• Open: March 9:30~17:00, April 9:30~18:00
• Closed: Mon. (open if Mon. is a holiday and closed the next day)
• Free
• Parking: free (268 spaces)
• Public toilets: available
• http://www.kirishima-sjc.or.jp/shiroyama/

Darumizu Park (Miyazaki)

Located on the Darumizu Plateau at an elevation of 120 m, this famous cherry blossom viewing spot, nicknamed “Cherry Road”, has some 3,500 sakura trees of several different varieties (including somei yoshino, yamazakura, and yaezakura).

• 5724-1 Uryuno, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki
• 3,500 trees
• Free
• Parking: free
• Public toilets: available
• https://www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp/spot/12274

 

Types of sakura trees – know your sakura!

Japan has over one hundred types of sakura tree, including both cultivated and wild varieties. For centuries, they have been popular for decorative use in gardens and parks. The most popular variety is the Somei Yoshino, however you’re certain to see many other varieties during springtime in Fukuoka. Here’s a beginner’s lesson to help you notice some of the characteristics that differentiate the varieties of sakura…

1. Number of petals: Wild sakura trees and the majority of cultivated trees have blossoms with five petals (e.g. Somei Yoshino). However, some species have blossoms of more than five petals. These species are called yaezakura, and range from those with around 20 petals (e.g. Ichiyo) to those with up to 300 petals (e.g. Kikuzakura).

2. Color of blossoms: The blossoms of a sakura tree can vary in color from the common light pink or white (e.g. Shogetsu) to more unusual varieties with dark pink (e.g. Kanzan), yellow or green (e.g. Ukon) blossoms. Some varieties’ blossoms even change color over the course of blooming.

3. Time of blooming: We associate sakura blossoms with springtime because the majority of trees bloom in the spring months, however it is not true for all varieties. Yaezakura are usually the last to bloom in spring, around four to five weeks later than five-petaled species, and some extreme varieties bloom in late autumn and even winter!

Most common cherry tree varieties

Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry)
By far the most common sakura tree in Japan, the Somei Yoshino was cultivated in Tokyo in the Edo Period. It has pale-pink, five-petaled blossoms, and its fresh leaves do not emerge until after the peak of flowering, giving it an intense appearance.

Yamazakura
This is the most common cherry tree variety that grows in the wild, rather than in cultivation. With five slightly pink, small petals, the blossoms appear at the same time as the Yamazakura’s fresh leaves, giving it a less intense look than the Somei Yoshino.

©pixabay

Shidarezakura (Weeping Cherry)
These weeping cherry trees are among the most common and beloved in Japan. You’ll find two tree varieties – those with five petaled-blossoms, and those with blossoms of more than five petals (which bloom one week later).

Sakura Vocabulary

Show your expertise and impress your picnic buddies by learning some seasonal Japanese vocabulary.

Sakura / 桜 / さくら: Cherry blossoms
Hanami / 花見 / はなみ : Cherry-blossom viewing
Kaikayosou / 開花予想 / かいかよそう: Blooming prediction/forecast
Tsubomi / つぼみ: Bud
Sakihajime / 咲き始め / さきはじめ: Beginning to bloom
Migoro / 見頃 / みごろ: Best time to see
Gobuzaki / 5分咲き / ごぶざき: 50% bloom
Shichibuzaki / 7分咲き / しちぶざき: 70% bloom
Mankai / 満開 / まんかい: Full bloom
Chirihajime / 散り始め / ちりはじめ: Beginning to fall
Hazakura / 葉桜 / はざくら: Leaves

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Updated in Feb. 2023.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us.